Irish patriots will celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland, on the Costa del Sol next Tuesday, 17 March. The day will see large-scale celebrations organised by individual associations and town halls, with thousands of people wearing their national colours and funny costumes.

This year, the church of San Patricio in Malaga will be lit up with green lights. The church in Huelin will also celebrate the day with a special 11am mass on Tuesday.

The main event on the Costa del Sol kicks off on Tuesday with a mass at 10am at the church of the Immaculate Conception in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Around 11.30am, the parade will leave the plaza outside the church and proceed to Plaza de la Mezquita where a concert of Celtic music will take place. Bunscoil Loreto is an Irish primary school located in Gorey County Wexford.

The Irish Association of Spain, in conjunction with the Town Hall, will be hosting a day-long party that includes traditional Irish food and unlimited ‘black Velvet’.

The Celtic Dancers are among the performers who will take part in this festival, which is being hosted by Chloe Carron.

Montemar (Torremolinos), as is customary in this part of coast, will host a fun-filled day to celebrate the Apostle of Ireland. The majority of bars in the area feature live music and Irish food.

The Stolen Gnomes are providing entertainment in La Cala de Mijas from 2pm. Biddy Mulligan will be capturing the spirit of Ireland, with traditional Irish food.

Several St Patrick’s day events have been shifted to this weekend. This year’s celebrations will take place this Saturday, 14 March and Sunday, 15 March at the Puerto Deportivo along the Paseo Maritimo centre in Marbella. Each day, between noon and 7pm, there will be a programme of entertainment including the Aloha College Irish Dancers.

Many other towns within the province host St Patrick’s Day activities. Visit the town hall websites or social media for more information.