Children play and dance during the St. Patrick's Day celebration at D-Cube City Plaza outside Sindorim Station in southwestern Seoul, March 16, 2024. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

It's that time of the year again when Sindorim Station on Seoul Metro lines 1 and 2 briefly goes from one of the most frustrating transfer stations in the capital to its most popular destination.

St. Patrick's Day is approaching, and the Irish Association of Korea (IAK) is preparing for its annual celebration held at D-Cube City Plaza, outside Sindorim Station.

"The biggest appeal to Sindorim is the open space allowing it to be a safe, family-friendly event," Alan Leavy, IAK coordinator for the St. Patrick's festival in Seoul, told The Korea Times.

The wide-open outdoor venue is the perfect place to host thousands of people for an afternoon of live music, dancing and family-friendly activities including a costume contest and face painting — along with plenty of space to drink alcoholic beverages. There is also a raffle, with the grand prize being two round-trip tickets to Dublin via Etihad Airways.

Thousands of people gather for the St. Patrick's Day celebration at D-Cube City Plaza outside Sindorim Station in southwestern Seoul, March 16, 2024. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

This year's performances include music by pop rock cover band The 120s, the 8th Army Brass Band, alternative folk music project Patchwork Road, the all-Korean traditional Irish music trio Wild Atlantic Way, world music band Seoul Shamrock and American folk singer Seth Mountain, plus traditional Irish dance performances.

Members of the 8th Army Brass Band perform during the St. Patrick's Day celebration at D-Cube City Plaza outside Sindorim Station in southwestern Seoul, March 16, 2024. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar

The event runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. After that, the focus shifts north of the river to Itaewon, where Paddy's Pub Parade begins at 8 p.m.

The poster for the St. Patrick's Day festival / Courtesy of Irish Association of Korea

This year's four participating venues, spanning about 1.5 kilometers from Itaewon to Haebangchon, include the Craic House, Shenanigans, Rabbithole Arcade Pub and Phillies Pub, which recently reopened in a new location near Noksapyeong Station. Paying 10,000 won gets you into all four venues.

"It is more like a block party than a pub crawl in which each venue will have live performances happening from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.," Leavy said. "The wristbands allow entry to all the venues, so patrons are free to move between all of the venues over the course of the evening."

He added that each venue will have volunteers at the door who can support and direct people to the other venues if they wish.

On Sunday, the Craic House is hosting a Taste of Ireland event featuring music performances of traditional songs, pub classics and old-time music beginning at 1 p.m.

For those who want to get an early start on the festivities, the Paddy's Green Gala will happen in the lobby of the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon hotel on Thursday. The event, presented by the Irish-Korea Professionals Network in partnership with Afterwork Seoul, runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Entry is free but signing up in advance is required.

"Wear green. Bring your best energy. We welcome everyone. Follow our socials to keep up to date before, during and after the festival," Leavy said.

Follow @irishassockorea on Instagram or visit linktr.ee/iakorea for more information.