Best Cities to Visit for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Top Cities for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
People celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for over 1,000 years and has become a popular holiday worldwide, especially in places with large Irish populations.
On St. Patrick’s Day, people often wear green clothing and accessories, which is believed to be a nod to the green hills and fields of Ireland. Parades and parties are also common on this day, with people coming together to celebrate with food, drinks, and music. Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, and Irish stews are often eaten, and traditional Irish music is played at many St. Patrick’s Day events.
In addition to celebrating Irish culture, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular party holiday. Many people use the day as an excuse to have fun and indulge in alcohol, often drinking green beer or other green-colored drinks. Some cities even host St. Patrick’s Day pub crawls, where participants visit multiple bars and pubs throughout the day.
Here are some of the best cities in the world to visit for St. Patrick’s Day.
Dublin, Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin, Ireland is a major event and a celebration of national pride. The festivities begin on the day before St. Patrick’s Day with a parade that winds its way through the city center, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, dancers, and performers. The parade culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the River Liffey.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself, the city comes alive with numerous events and celebrations. Many locals and visitors don green clothing and attend Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the afternoon, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place, featuring over 8,000 performers, including marching bands, dance troupes, and colorful floats. The parade attracts over 500,000 people to the streets of Dublin each year, making it one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day events in the world. Certianly something to add to your bucket list.
In addition to the parade, there are many other activities and events throughout the city on St. Patrick’s Day. Visitors can attend traditional Irish music and dance performances, explore the numerous pubs and restaurants serving Irish food and drinks, and take part in cultural activities such as storytelling and poetry readings.
The day ends with a spectacular light show projected onto the facade of the General Post Office on O’Connell Street, featuring images of Ireland’s history and culture. The light show is accompanied by a specially commissioned orchestral score and is a fitting end to a day of celebration and pride in Irish heritage.
New York City, USA
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest and most exciting holidays in New York City (Not surprising as it seems like everything is bigger in New York). The city has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the holiday with a massive parade, which draws huge crowds of spectators from around the world.
The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest and most well-known St. Patrick’s Day events in the world. It has been held annually since 1762 and draws over 2 million spectators each year. The parade is a celebration of Irish culture and heritage, featuring bagpipes, marching bands, Irish dancers, and more.
In addition to the parade, there are many other St. Patrick’s Day events and activities throughout the city. Many bars and restaurants offer traditional Irish food and drink specials, and there are also plenty of parties and events held in honor of the holiday. There are also many concerts, comedy shows, and other events held in honor of the holiday.
San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is often hailed as one of the best cities in the world for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations due to its Irish community, historical connections, and a wide array of festivities. The city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the oldest and biggest in the country, showcasing a colorful display of Irish culture with floats, dancers, and musicians. This parade attracts thousands of spectators each year.
Beyond the parade, San Francisco offers a variety of St. Patrick’s Day activities that cater to all ages and interests. The city’s Irish heritage is celebrated in numerous Irish pubs and restaurants, which serve traditional Irish food and drinks, including hearty stews, soda bread, and of course, plenty of Guinness. These establishments often feature live Irish music and dance, providing an authentic experience of Irish culture.
For those who like to party, San Francisco offers one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawls in the nation. CrawlSF’s LepraCon Pub Crawl brings thousands of party people to some of the best bars in the city for several days of pub crawlin’ fun.
For those interested in a more active celebration, San Francisco’s scenic landscapes and parks serve as the perfect backdrop for St. Patrick’s Day runs and outdoor events. The city’s cultural institutions, including museums and art galleries, also participate by hosting themed exhibitions and workshops that explore Irish history and contributions to American society.
San Francisco’s atmosphere amplifies the St. Patrick’s Day experience, making it a welcoming celebration for both those with Irish heritage and those looking to partake in the festivities. From the iconic parade to the myriad of cultural, culinary, and outdoor activities, San Francisco truly embodies the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
Boston, USA
Boston is a city that seems to have a strong connection to all things Irish. From their NBA Team, The Boston Celtics, whose logo features a leprechaun and original owner was Irish to The Irish Heritage Trail, the city has constant references to its Irish communities. So, it no surprise the St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in Boston and the city has one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world. The parade dates back to 1901 and is held on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day.
The parade starts in South Boston (or as the locals call it, “Southie”) and winds its way through the city, passing by some of Boston’s most famous landmarks like the State House and the Old South Meeting House. The parade features colorful floats, local marching bands, bagpipers, and dancers, as well as local politicians, community groups and celebrities. The parade has hosted a long list of iconic people through the years like John F. Kennedt, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Mark Wahlberg, Conan O’Brien and Elizabeth Warren.
In addition to the parade, there are many other events and celebrations throughout the city during St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish Heritage Trail is a popular attraction that features important sites in Irish-American history, such as the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the Old North Church.
Many bars and restaurants in Boston also get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, serving up traditional Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. One of the most famous bars in Boston is the Black Rose, which has been serving up pints of Guinness and traditional Irish music for over 40 years. If you make a trip to Boston for St. Patrick’s Day (or any other day of the year) a trip to the Black Rose is a must.
Chicago, USA
Home to the very instagrammable green river, Chicago doesn’t mess around when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day. The annual parade is always held on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, and it features floats, bands, and of course, plenty of green. In addition to the parade, there are also plenty of Irish pubs and restaurants throughout the city that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, traditional Irish dancing, and of course, plenty of green beer. The city is also home to a number of events, such as the annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K run, which takes place on the morning of the parade.
One of the more unique St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago is the annual dyeing of the river. Since 1962, the Chicago River has been dyed green every St. Patrick’s Day, a tradition that has become famous all over the world. The dyeing of the river is carried out by members of the local Plumbers Union, who use an environmentally-friendly dye that only lasts for a few hours (no fish, animals, humas or plants are hurt in the process). The river is dyed green at 9:00 am on the day of the parade, and the color usually lasts for several hours.
Montreal, Canada
Montreal might not be a city that comes to mind when you think about St. Patrick’s Day, but it is actually a great spot for the holiday. Aside from that Montreal is a super awesome city that you should visit anytime you have the chance. .
One of the main events in Montreal is the (you guessed it) annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade features some talented Irish dancers, cool floats and marching bands, attracting thousands of people every year. The parade starts in downtown Montreal and makes its way through the city to the sound of bagpipes and drums. One thing to note is that Montreal has an average high of 35 degrees and 11 days of rain in March, so you might want to invest in some green sweaters, beanies and gloves if you want to watch the parade.
Another popular event in Montreal is the St. Patrick’s Day Mass, which takes place at the Notre-Dame Basilica. The mass is conducted in English and French, and features traditional Irish music and hymns. Many bars and restaurants in Montreal also hold St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with traditional Irish food and drinks, live music, and other entertainment. Some popular spots for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Montreal include Hurley’s Irish Pub, McKibbin’s Irish Pub, and the Irish Embassy Pub and Grill.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
If the cold weather of Montreal is a deal breaker and you are looking for a much warmer destination, Buenos Aires is a solid choice. With average highs of 78 degrees in March, you can finally sport those sweet, green Chubbies and work on your tan while enjoying the parade. Buenos Aires St. Patrick’s Day celebrations usually includes a large street parade that passes through the city center, featuring traditional Irish music, dancing, and costumes. One of the most notable features of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Buenos Aires is the lighting of the Obelisk, a famous landmark in the city center, in green lights to mark the occasion. The green lighting is accompanied by music and other festivities in the area.
Many bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, serving traditional Irish dishes and drinks, such as corned beef and cabbage, Irish whiskey, and, of course, green beer. Some popular Irish pubs in the city, such as The Kilkenny and The Shamrock, host special events and live music performances for the occasion.
Sydney, Australia
Another warm weather destination for a St. Patrick’s day trip, Sydney offers some top-notch celebratory options for families, solo travelers and people looking to party. The celebrations usually kick off with the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which takes place in the central business district of Sydney. The parade features your standard lineup of community groups, bands, colorful floats, performers and even a people in kangaroo suits hopping through the parade path.
After the parade, people flock to the many Irish pubs and bars in the city to continue the party. The Irish pubs in Sydney are known to serve up traditional Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Irish stew. Of course, no St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without a pint of Guinness, which is one of the most popular drinks in the Irish pubs of Sydney.
There are also many other St. Patrick’s Day events and activities that take place in Sydney. For instance, the iconic Sydney Opera House is known to light up in green to mark the occasion, which creates a stunning sight to behold (it’s picture time!). Additionally, there are Irish dancing performances, live music, and cultural events that take place across the city.
Montserrat
If you are choosing between a sunny, Carribean vacation and a visit to a popular St. Patrick’s Day destination, why not have both and head to Montserrat? A small island in the Caribbean, Montserrat is actually a great spot for St. Paddy’s Day and is actually the only place outside of Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday. The reason for this is because of the island’s historical St. Patrick’s Day Rebellion. The rebellion began on St. Patrick’s Day in 1768 when a group of slaves, led by an enslaved man named Kofi, planned to take control of the island from the British colonizers.
The plan involved coordinating an attack on the island’s largest plantation and a rebellion that would eventually spread throughout the island. The slaves were able to obtain weapons and ammunition, but the British authorities received a tip about the plan and were able to quell the rebellion before it could gain significant momentum.Kofi and the other leaders of the rebellion were captured and executed, and many other slaves were brutally punished or sold to other plantations. The Montserrat St. Patrick’s Day rebellion serves as a reminder of the struggle for freedom and the ongoing fight against oppression that is still taking place in many parts of the world. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is still celebrated on Montserrat as a day of remembrance and resistance, and a symbol of hope for a better future.
The island celebration consists of a colorful parade and various events over several days. One of the most popular events is the Irish night, which is held on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day and includes traditional Irish music and dancing. On the day of St. Patrick’s Day, there is a special mass at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, which is the island’s oldest church. After the mass, there is a procession to the St. Patrick’s cemetery, where the graves of Irish immigrants are located.
Other events during the week include a fish fry, a calypso competition, and a traditional Irish breakfast. The celebrations on the island are a unique blend of Irish and Caribbean culture, and are a reflection of the island’s history and heritage.
London, England
Separated by The Irish Sea, Ireland and England are very close to each other, so it’s easy to expect that there would be a large Irish population in London. They are also both part of the UK, which includes Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. St. Patrick’s Day is a major celebration in London, with a rich history of Irish culture and heritage in the city. The day is marked by a number of events and festivities across the city, with one of the most popular being the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The parade starts at Piccadilly and continues through Trafalgar Square and ends at Whitehall. Thousands of people attend the parade each year, which features colourful floats, Irish dancers, marching bands, and much more.In addition to the parade,you can find lots kinds of fun events all across London, including music and dance performances, traditional Irish food and drink, and various cultural activities.
Many of the city’s Irish pubs and bars also host St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, with live music, dancing, and of course, plenty of Guinness and Irish whiskey flowing. The celebrations often continue late into the night, with people from all over the world coming together to enjoy the festivities. London’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have been growing in recent years, and the city is now considered to be one of the top destinations for celebrating the holiday outside of Ireland.
Munich, Germany
Munich is another city that may not be instantly associated with the top places to visit for St. Patrick’s Day, but it is definitely still an amazing city to visit for the holiday. One of the highlights of St. Patrick’s Day in Munich is the annual parade through the city center, which features traditional Irish music and dance, colorful costumes, and plenty of green decorations. The parade typically starts at Münchner Freiheit and winds its way through the city before culminating in a large festival at Odeonsplatz, complete with food and drink vendors and live music.
Each of these cities has its own unique style of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, and all offer a lively and festive atmosphere that is sure to be a good time for anyone looking to get in on the holiday fun.
