Bright, long and loud, except for the silent disco

Dublin Festival: Dublin is set to shamrock'n'roll for Ireland this weekend as St Patrick makes his presence felt across the capital.

From the streets to the skies, there will be no escaping the action-packed festival which organisers say is "bigger, brighter, louder and longer", than ever before.

Things will go off with a bang tonight when the Skyfest pyrotechnic display lights up the skies over the north quays at 8 p.m.

To make the most of the experience bring a warm jacket and a radio with earphones.

The dazzling 20 minutes of sky theatre will be even more magical if you tune in to 98FM's specially commissioned soundtrack which has been synchronised with the display.

But before that, revellers have the chance to explore the city with a monster treasure hunt. Sponsor Denny has come up with a clever ruse to attract hungover Mums and Dads.

It is providing breakfast rolls and cocktail sausages free to all participants. All hungry treasure-seekers should hot-foot it down to the City Hall in Dame Street at 10 a.m.

According to Met Eireann, the weather won't rain on our parade. Conditions will be cool but dry across the country, with some sunshine in most parts.

Throughout the weekend Merrion Square West will be transformed into a funfair, and live music can be heard at a number of venues including the National Concert Hall, Vicar Street, the Village and Da 2.

The 7UP stage is also camped at Merrion Square where on Sunday pop acts such as Darius, Picturehouse and Fifth Avenue will strut their stuff.

An event with slightly more street cred can be found at Whelan's in Wexford Street on Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Wheel of Fortune sees Irish musicians being forced to cover anything from Boyzone to Thin Lizzy at a spin of the wheel.

The €15 entrance fee will be worth it if only to witness the likes of hip young singer/songwriter Paddy Casey interpret a Ronan Keating number.

On Sunday the most popular parents will be those who bring the kids to Merrion Square for the Big Day Out. There is everything from basket-weaving to bungee jumping on offer.

Some highlights include X-treme Trampoline, Giant Twister or the inflatable WWF Wrestling Ring. Paddyoke is Karaoke St Patrick-style. But best of all is the silent disco where you can watch people dance to music wearing headphones.

Those who still have energy should get up early on Monday to grab the best spot from which to view the St Patrick's Festival Parade, now in its eighth year.

Along with the traditional marching bands there is the usual assortment of surreal and sublime acts, from giant Daddy Long Legs to life-size pigeons whizzing around the parade route on rollerblades.

Wise festival-goers will leave the car at home and take notice of Barnardo's warning not to abuse alcohol over the festival period.

On Monday night, the Céili Mór will have everyone trying out those dance steps they learnt in the Gaeltacht.

Hector Ó hEochagáin, TG4's gregarious travel presenter, is calling the moves from 2.30 p.m. at St Stephen's Green North. Flagging energy can be restored with free Lucozade from the event sponsor.

If all this sounds like more fun than you can handle, the Pedigree St Patrick's All Breed International Championship Dog Show at the National Showgrounds at Cloghran, Co Dublin, on Sunday and Monday might prove a more peaceful alternative.