One of my favorite celebrations all year is St. Patrick’s Day – it’s such an uplifting and fun celebration no matter where you are. So I asked other travel bloggers to tell me about the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world. From the burial ground of St. Patrick himself in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland to the world’s shortest parade in Hot Springs, Arkansas – you’ll find a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that fits your needs!
St. Patrick’s Day, the cultural and religious holiday celebrated on March 17th each year, has become an iconic event that transcends borders and unites people in a shared love for all things Irish. Originating in Ireland to honor the patron saint of the country, this vibrant and spirited celebration has spread across the globe, giving everyone the chance to don their green attire, raise a pint of Guinness, and revel in the infectious atmosphere of Irish merriment.
While Dublin, Ireland, is undoubtedly the epicenter of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, numerous cities around the world offer their unique spin on the festivities. From grand parades and lively pub crawls to traditional music and cultural events, these destinations provide unforgettable experiences that bring the Irish spirit to life.
This blog post will take you on a virtual journey to some of the best places to spend St. Patrick’s Day outside of Ireland. We will explore the vibrant streets of New York City, where the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place, attracting millions of spectators. We’ll venture to Chicago, known for dyeing its iconic river emerald green and hosting a lively parade in its downtown area.
But our journey doesn’t stop there. We’ll jet off to Sydney, Australia, where the iconic Sydney Opera House turns green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and locals and visitors flock to pubs for a taste of Irish culture. We’ll also delve into the spirited celebrations in Boston, Massachusetts, a city with deep Irish roots, where festivities span several days and include a host of cultural activities and lively gatherings.
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Boston, MA, USA
Recommended by Amanda of Hey! East Coast USA
Boston is the best place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in the United States. In fact, it’s the original place to celebrate within the US! Since 1737, Boston has celebrated Ireland’s patron saint; since 1901, the St Patrick’s Day parade has been held in South Boston, or — as we call it locally — Southie.
Watching the parade in Southie is an iconic Boston experience. Just know that the parade happens on the Sunday closest to St Patrick’s Day, which isn’t always the 17th!
While St Patrick’s Day is in March, know that winter weather can still linger this time of year in New England. Wear all your green — including hats, coats, and gloves. After the parade, head to Mr. Dooley’s or The Black Rose for the best corned beef to warm back up.
If you’re visiting for more than just St. Paddy’s Day (which you should!), check out the Irish Heritage Trail to stay on theme. And the Freedom Trail is always a favorite. You’ll also want to explore the best weekend getaways from Boston in winter* for a more complete New England experience.
Boston is a rather compact city, so you can stay anywhere and easily access everything. The Cambria Hotel Downtown-South Boston is the official parade hotel, conveniently located right near Broadway Station — right at the start of the parade.
New York City, NY, USA
Recommended by Kelly of Girl with the Passport
One of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world is New York City. Not only do we have a large and historic Irish community, but the city is home to one of the biggest and most famous St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country.
So, plan a magical weekend in the city so that you can experience the parade, which is typically at 11:00 am at 44th Street. Parade participants will then march up Fifth Avenue and end around 5:00 pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street.
For the best parade viewing spot, try and get as far away from Midtown as possible and enjoy the parade anywhere on the Upper East Side, along Central Park.
Afterward, stop by St. Patrick’s Cathedral and head to PJ Carney’s Pub for some traditional Irish fare.
Next, grab a pint at McSorley’s Old Ale House, which is a traditional Irish bar on the Lower East Side. It has been around since 1854, features one beer on its menu, and is known for being the oldest, continually operated bar in the USA.
Finally, unwind for the night in the Best Western Premier Herald Square. It’s a reasonably priced, clean and comfortable hotel that is conveniently located in midtown
Chicago, IL, USA
Recommended by Theresa of The Local Tourist
St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is almost bigger than New Year’s Eve. It’s a city-wide celebration, and restaurants and bars offer traditional Irish favorites. It seems like there are leprechauns and four-leaf clovers around every corner because in March, everybody’s Irish in Chicago.
The festivities begin the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day with the dyeing of the Chicago River. After the dyeing of the river is the official City of Chicago Parade. Kicking off from Columbus and Balbo at noon, the route marches north on Columbus Drive. The best seats are in the viewing area in front of Buckingham Fountain.
While you’re in Chicago, you’ll want to make a trip to the Museum Campus. That’s where you can find the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium. Local tip: the view from Adler is one of the best in the city.
A great place to stay is The Blackstone Hotel. This iconic hotel was built in 1910, is across the street from Grant Park, and is pet-friendly. How long you’ll want to stay in Chicago is really based on how long you’ve got. There are so many things to do in Chicago, even lifelong residents always find something new.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Recommended by Michelle of That Texas Couple & Totally Texas Travel
When making your list of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, then do not miss the small mountain town of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
What is usually a quiet mountain town (and one of the great getaways from Dallas), changes personalities for its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Hot Springs is so unusual that it is even mentioned in The Guinness Book of World Records.
The highlight of the celebration is the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade started in 2004 when a couple of friends dreamed up the idea over a couple of pints of beer. Their vision came to fruition and has continued to grow since then. The entire parade travels only 98 feet! Come and witness this fun spectacle for yourself.
The World’s Shortest parade is not all that Hot Springs has to offer for St. Patrick’s Day. The town has numerous other activities planned throughout town including a Blarney Stone Kissing Contest and numerous live concerts. They even color the hot spring fountains throughout the city green!
While in Hot Springs, don’t miss the opportunity to visit their botanical gardens, Garvan Woodland Gardens. It is this time of year that the tulips are usually in bloom and they are gorgeous!
Of course, after all of the celebrating, you will need to relax and detox. The bathhouses around Hot Springs are perfect to make this happen as they still use the natural mineral waters direct from the underground hot springs.
To make the most of your time in Hot Springs, be sure to choose a place to stay that is in the National Park area like The Waters Hot Springs. The Waters is a historic hotel that will put you within walking distance to the parade route, the bathhouses, and great restaurants.
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Recommended by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler
During the first St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in St. Louis, Missouri in 1820, one-seventh of the city’s inhabitants were Irish. While the Irish population of the city has decreased over the years, there’s nonetheless a whole lot of Irish pride left, especially in the traditionally Irish neighborhood of Dogtown. Here, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th, regardless of what day of the week that falls on, complete with a parade, festival, and live music. These festivities are organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest and oldest Irish Catholic organization in the United States.
Dogtown residents often have large parties in their front yards as this parade goes by, cheering beers and hooting as the marchers pass. If you’re looking for an even rowdier environment, though, head instead to the parade in downtown St. Louis, hosted the Saturday before or after the holiday. At this event, over 250,000 revelers cheer on the 5,000 marchers, making this the largest annual event held in St. Louis. Afterward, take the time to explore the cobblestone streets of the nearby neighborhood of Soulard, which boasts a variety of bars, from hole-in-the-walls to traditional Irish pubs, like John D. McGurk’s. No matter which of the celebrations you choose to attend, just don’t forget to wear green!
Savannah, GA, USA
Recommended by Erin of Savannah First-Timer’s Guide
Did you know Savannah has one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States? Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the city each year to celebrate all things Irish.
The parade is a very family-friendly event, featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, bagpipes, and Irish dancers. Even the U.S. Navy plans to take part in the festivities this year! The parade route winds through the Historic District — just be sure to arrive early in the morning to stake out your spot.
The parade is only one small part of the celebration, though; festivities run throughout the month of March. The rowdiest event is a weekend-long festival along River Street — but note that it has a bit of a frat-party vibe. You can also attend the greening of the fountain, the Celtic Cross ceremony, mass at the Cathedral, and more!
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of Savannah’s must-see landmarks. The exterior is incredibly beautiful, but the interior is even more stunning. Bonaventure Cemetery is another can’t miss spot.
Plan to stay a few days. Savannah is so picturesque when the azaleas bloom throughout March!
Recommended Hotel: The Marshall House
London, England
Recommended by Trijit from Dog Travel Buff
London is one of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world. Every year, around 17th March, London celebrates this day with festivals and festive parades. Not only the Irish community but also the tourist from different countries visit Trafalgar Square during this time and enjoy the day with Irish food, music, art, and culture.
The spectacular St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts from Hyde Park Corner, goes through Piccadilly, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street and ends at Trafalgar Square. Come out to watch and admire the elaborate floats, marching bands, sports clubs, and Irish dancing schools. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in London is incomplete without music and food. There are plenty of pubs to enjoy the live Irish music in London. Skehan’s Freehouse is a great place to listen to live music from traditional Irish folk bands.
You should not miss the most famous Irish drink, Guinness. Check out Waxy O’Connor’s and enjoy the relaxing local vibe with a pint of Guinness. They also serve burgers, meat pies, and other delicious food. One day is good enough to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in London but if you want to explore the nearby sightseeing, I will recommend staying at least for 2 days. You can stay at The Z Hotel Piccadilly which is very close to Piccadilly Square.
Dublin, Ireland
Recommended by Me, The Directionally Challenged Traveler
The most famous St. Patrick’s Day celebration takes place in the capital of Ireland – Dublin. This celebration is often on people’s bucket lists (along with Carnavale in Rio and Oktoberfest in Munich) – there’s just something different about celebrating in the heart of the city. Dublin’s Irish pride comes out in full force – making it the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world.
The most important thing to know about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin is that the festivities last a week. Hotel prices typically increase from March 14th on. As it gets closer to March 17th, more and more of the center city gets blocked off from cars in preparation for the parade. Luckily, Dublin is a very walkable city, so wear those comfortable shoes! You’ll find green all over the city for the whole week – legend has it that wearing green makes you invisible to the leprechauns – locals may pinch you if you’re not wearing green.
On the 17th, the parade starts at noon and goes through the city. The best viewing is from one of the four Grandstands along the parade route. Tickets can be purchased on the official St. Patrick’s Day Festival Ireland Facebook page starting in September for the following year. If you’re not doing this, then be sure to get to your spot early (9-10 am) for optimal viewing. The parade features a lot of history and legends – and of course – pride.
For great accommodation within walking distance – check out The Wilder Hotel in Dublin. It also has a rooftop bar!
Galway, Ireland
Recommended by Adam of As Adam Goes
The Hooker Country is the Irish gift that just keeps on giving. If you’re searching for an authentic Paddy’s Day in Ireland that’s a bit different from Dublin, Galway is the perfect place for you.
For the best view of the Paddy’s Day parade, head straight to Dominick Street, where it starts. This area is full of life and is one of the most vibrant areas on the day. Top Tip: Hit up Monroe’s Tavern for a tasty pint of stout.
After the parade is over, make sure you head down to Eyre Square for live music and amusements. Local artists and traditional Irish music—what more could you want on March 17th?
Three days in Galway are perfect for St. Patrick’s weekend. You can enjoy the 17th of March and then have a couple of days to explore other aspects of the city. There are plenty of things to do in Galway for any visitor!
The best place to stay in Galway is the Harbour Hotel. Alluring and convenient are just two words I would use to describe it. You’ll get the finest service at the Harbour Hotel and be welcomed with open arms for your Irish Paddy’s Day adventure.
Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Recommended by Allan of It’s Sometimes Sunny in Bangor
Due to conflicting cultures in Northern Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is a bit divisive in the country, and even parts of the Belfast celebrations have been known to take on a rowdy nature. But this is not the case in Downpatrick, the burial place of Saint Patrick where his grave is found. The local community is very much Irish Catholic in Downpatrick and Saint Patrick is celebrated in the town year-round through The Saint Patrick Centre heritage centre on the main street. Unlike the more global and Americanized parades,
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick is about as traditional and local as you will find. And while you do still get the tricolors and Irish emblems celebrating in the crowds, the parade is more local and community-focused and celebrates Saint Patrick rather than Irish-ness itself. Although there is still a lot of drinking in the surrounding pubs. The parade starts outside of town before passing the main Market Street where the pedestrian square is central to celebrations with face painting and fun stuff as well as a live stage for performances run by local radio stations. Hotels are scarce in town, so most people travel to/from the celebrations, but Denvir’s Coaching Inn is a great place if you can get it.
Sydney, Austraila
Recommended by Jamie of Sydney City Guide
St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Australia are a huge event each year due to the long history of Irish in Australia. The First Fleet that landed in Australia in 1788 included many Irish people. With this, Australia has a reciprocal agreement with Ireland that means each year there are thousands of Irish backpackers that are granted extended working holiday visas in Australia. As a result of this, each St Patrick’s Day there are large crowds in each capital city celebrating the day. Unsurprisingly, the crowds are the largest in Sydney which is Australia’s largest city.
The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Sydney are centred around The Rocks region. This area of Sydney is the oldest part of Sydney and contains many historic pubs (Mercantile Hotel, The Argyle Hotel) where people congregate to celebrate. Each year there is a parade through The Rocks region and then a festival afterwards. The Rocks region is central to all the main tourist attractions in Sydney including the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and the harbour foreshore itself. There are a variety of accommodation options in the area at different price points including the Rydges Sydney Harbour.
Where do you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Let me know in the comments!
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Love this list of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! I’ve been to NYC on St. Pattty’s and it was so much fun. Would love to check out Boston and Chicago.
I really want to experience Boston too haha. NYC’s was pretty amazing. Dublin was epic though.
Love this post! I’m not Irish but I still like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Definitely saving this for future reference.
As us Irish say, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! 🙂
What a fun post! I have heard such awesome things about the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Boston, Chicago, and Savannah. I’ve been to all these cities, but never for St. Patrick’s Day! And of course, it would be awesome to celebrate in Ireland. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe there are no Canadian cities on this list! Newfoundland and Labrador has a huge Irish population so I bet the celebrations there are awesome.