Q1 — 17 March and the weekend nearest
Book St Patrick’s Day Bands
Pubs, clubs and parties all want Irish music on 17 March. Find a folk act, a ceilidh band or a party band that plays the Irish favourites, hear them first and book direct.
Updated 24 October 2026
Where to Book St Patrick’s Day Bands
A St Patrick’s Day band plays the Irish songs a pub sings along to - The Wild Rover, Whiskey in the Jar, Galway Girl - plus a few party songs as the night goes on. On GigXchange that means folk acts, ceilidh and Celtic acts, and party bands that will add an Irish set - ask them for it. For a Scottish ceilidh, see Burns Night ceilidh.
Browse all 19 folk and Celtic acts · Browse all 95 folk singers and bands · Browse all 51 party bands
When to Book
St Patrick's Day is Wednesday, 17 March 2027. Most acts for it are booked by January 2027, so start looking now. Lock the act in before you print anything with the date on it.
| Date17 Mar About 20 weeks away |
| Book byJan January 2027, for the widest choice |
| Typical fee£583+ £583–£1,353 - private parties, full band (GX Index) |
| Acts144 On GigXchange now |
Booking Playbook
Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to Book17 March and the weekend nearest it are the busy dates, and pubs plan early. Book by January for an evening slot. If 17 March is a weekday, many pubs run two nights - the day itself and the Saturday. |
| What Format WorksFolk duo or trio: Irish songs and tunes in a pub. Ceilidh band with a caller: an Irish dance night in a hall or club. Party band with an Irish set: Irish songs early, party songs later. Solo singer: a smaller pub or restaurant. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Assuming every band plays Irish songs. Ask for the setlist. 2. Leaving it until March. Pubs book the 17th and the nearest Saturday early. 3. A crowded floor and no space for the act. Plan where the band goes on the busiest pub night of spring. 4. No finish time. Agree it in writing. 5. A handshake deal. Book through GigXchange and the contract is created for you. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each kind of act is, and which St Patrick’s night it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Folk duo or trioGuitar, fiddle or whistle and voices, playing Irish songs and tunes. Suits: Pubs and bars - see folk acts. |
| Ceilidh band with a callerA Celtic band and a caller who teaches each dance. Suits: Halls, clubs and Irish centres - see ceilidh bands. |
| Party band with an Irish setA 4- or 5-piece band with Irish songs early and party songs later. Suits: Big pub nights and parties - see party bands. |
| Solo singerA singer with a guitar. Suits: Small pubs and restaurants - see solo acts. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and acts of every size can apply.
St Patrick’s Day Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| Pub St Patrick’s nightA folk duo or a band for two sets of sing-alongs. Agree: Where the act plays, set times and the finish. |
| Irish dance nightA ceilidh band with a caller in a hall or club. Agree: Floor space, the dance list and the finish time. |
| Private partyA party band with an Irish set, or a duo. Agree: The setlist and space for the kit. |
| Family afternoonA folk act with songs everyone knows. Agree: The start time and a short, family-friendly set. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
How the Night Runs
A typical pub St Patrick’s night. Move the times to suit your pub, then agree them with the act. Agree each part with the act in writing before the day.
| 19:00 · Early sessionIrish tunes at background volume as the pub fills. |
| 20:00 · First setThe sing-alongs - The Wild Rover and Whiskey in the Jar. |
| 21:00 · BreakThe act rests while the bar is busiest. |
| 21:30 · Second setGalway Girl, Dirty Old Town, then party songs. |
| 22:45 · Last songsA final sing-along before the licensed finish time. |
Make it the act's running order too
Send this timeline to the act in the chat on GIGXCHANGE - set times, breaks and the finish - so it goes into the contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,050 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £810–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £278–£469 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Setlist & Repertoire Suggestions
What audiences actually want to hear, not what looks good on a press kit. Send the act the moments you need covered and let them build the set around them.
Irish sing-alongs
| The Wild Rover - traditional |
| Whiskey in the Jar - traditional |
| The Irish Rover - The Dubliners and The Pogues |
| Molly Malone - traditional |
| Dirty Old Town - The Pogues |
Modern favourites
| Galway Girl - Steve Earle |
| The Fields of Athenry - Pete St John |
| Zombie - The Cranberries |
Party songs to finish
| Come On Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners |
| Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Venues & Spaces That Book This Season
Real examples of UK venues, hotels, and event spaces that programme this kind of booking, so you can see what a room your size usually puts on and when.
Pubs and bars
| Irish pubs - two nights, the 17th and the nearest Saturday (see live music for pubs) |
| Bars and restaurants - a duo for the evening |
Clubs and halls
| Social clubs and Irish centres - a ceilidh or a party band (see live music for clubs) |
| Village halls - family St Patrick’s nights |
Private
| Function rooms and homes - Irish-themed parties |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Organising this as a private event? GigXchange for organisers covers contracts, protected payment and the licence answer.
12 — Questions8 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
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The Booking PlaybookFree
When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
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Ready to Book a St Patrick’s Day band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Book St Patrick’s Day Bands
Pubs, clubs and parties all want Irish music on 17 March. Find a folk act, a ceilidh band or a party band that plays the Irish favourites, hear them first and book direct.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Where to Book St Patrick’s Day Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book St Patrick’s Day bands direct in the UK. 19 folk and Celtic acts, 95 folk singers and bands and 51 party bands are on the platform. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A St Patrick’s Day band plays the Irish songs a pub sings along to - The Wild Rover, Whiskey in the Jar, Galway Girl - plus a few party songs as the night goes on. On GigXchange that means folk acts, ceilidh and Celtic acts, and party bands that will add an Irish set - ask them for it. For a Scottish ceilidh, see Burns Night ceilidh.
When to Book
St Patrick's Day is Wednesday, 17 March 2027. Most acts for it are booked by January 2027, so start looking now. Lock the act in before you print anything with the date on it.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct for St Patrick’s Day bands. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse all 19 folk and Celtic acts →Browse all 95 folk singers and bands →Browse all 51 party bands →
Pick Your Line-up
What each kind of act is, and which St Patrick’s night it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Folk duo or trioGuitar, fiddle or whistle and voices, playing Irish songs and tunes.Suits: Pubs and bars - see folk acts.
- Ceilidh band with a callerA Celtic band and a caller who teaches each dance.Suits: Halls, clubs and Irish centres - see ceilidh bands.
- Party band with an Irish setA 4- or 5-piece band with Irish songs early and party songs later.Suits: Big pub nights and parties - see party bands.
- Solo singerA singer with a guitar.Suits: Small pubs and restaurants - see solo acts.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and acts of every size can apply.
St Patrick’s Day Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- Pub St Patrick’s nightA folk duo or a band for two sets of sing-alongs.Agree: Where the act plays, set times and the finish.
- Irish dance nightA ceilidh band with a caller in a hall or club.Agree: Floor space, the dance list and the finish time.
- Private partyA party band with an Irish set, or a duo.Agree: The setlist and space for the kit.
- Family afternoonA folk act with songs everyone knows.Agree: The start time and a short, family-friendly set.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
How the Night Runs
A typical pub St Patrick’s night. Move the times to suit your pub, then agree them with the act. Agree each part with the act in writing before the day.
- 19:00 · Early sessionIrish tunes at background volume as the pub fills.
- 20:00 · First setThe sing-alongs - The Wild Rover and Whiskey in the Jar.
- 21:00 · BreakThe act rests while the bar is busiest.
- 21:30 · Second setGalway Girl, Dirty Old Town, then party songs.
- 22:45 · Last songsA final sing-along before the licensed finish time.
Make it the act's running order too
Send this timeline to the act in the chat on GIGXCHANGE - set times, breaks and the finish - so it goes into the contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
17 March and the weekend nearest it are the busy dates, and pubs plan early. Book by January for an evening slot. If 17 March is a weekday, many pubs run two nights - the day itself and the Saturday.
What Format Works
Folk duo or trio: Irish songs and tunes in a pub. Ceilidh band with a caller: an Irish dance night in a hall or club. Party band with an Irish set: Irish songs early, party songs later. Solo singer: a smaller pub or restaurant.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Assuming every band plays Irish songs. Ask for the setlist. 2. Leaving it until March. Pubs book the 17th and the nearest Saturday early. 3. A crowded floor and no space for the act. Plan where the band goes on the busiest pub night of spring. 4. No finish time. Agree it in writing. 5. A handshake deal. Book through GigXchange and the contract is created for you.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,050 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £810–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £278–£469 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Setlist & Repertoire Suggestions
What audiences actually want to hear, not what looks good on a press kit. Send the act the moments you need covered and let them build the set around them.
Irish sing-alongs
- The Wild Rovertraditional
- Whiskey in the Jartraditional
- The Irish RoverThe Dubliners and The Pogues
- Molly Malonetraditional
- Dirty Old TownThe Pogues
Modern favourites
- Galway GirlSteve Earle
- The Fields of AthenryPete St John
- ZombieThe Cranberries
Party songs to finish
- Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Venues & Spaces That Book This Season
Real examples of UK venues, hotels, and event spaces that programme this kind of booking, so you can see what a room your size usually puts on and when.
Pubs and bars
- Irish pubstwo nights, the 17th and the nearest Saturday (see live music for pubs)
- Bars and restaurantsa duo for the evening
Clubs and halls
- Social clubs and Irish centresa ceilidh or a party band (see live music for clubs)
- Village hallsfamily St Patrick’s nights
Private
- Function rooms and homesIrish-themed parties
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Organising this as a private event? GigXchange for organisers covers contracts, protected payment and the licence answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a St Patrick’s Day band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.