The ultimate St. Patrick’s Day guide

St. Patrick’s Day is here, and it’s time to go full shamrock mode. Whether you’ve got Irish blood or just love an excuse to have a good time – the 17th of March is all about embracing Irish culture, wearing green, and joining the craziest St. Patrick’s Day parades from Dublin to the US.

But if you want to celebrate like the Irish people do, we’ve got all the tips, traditions, and party hacks you’ll ever need. 

First things first: What is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday honouring St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, who (legend has it) brought Christianity to the island. Plus, he explained the Holy Trinity with a shamrock, and even banished all the snakes. (That last part is probably a myth but we love the drama).

It was originally a Catholic Church holiday, but St. Paddy’s has evolved into a worldwide celebration of Irish culture, especially in Ireland. 

Fun fact about St. Patrick’s Day? It was originally a dry holiday in Ireland, with pubs closing for the day. Thankfully, that changed in the 20th century, and now Guinness flows unstoppably.  

When is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is always celebrated on the 17th of March, no matter what day of the week it falls on. So expect either a wild weekend or the best ever midweek pint.

What are you supposed to do on St. Patrick’s Day?

If you’re going to do it right, here’s how:

1. Wear green (It’s basically mandatory)

We’re talking green clothing, green accessories, green face paint, green socks, green underwear…you get it. If it’s green, you’re wearing it on St. Paddy’s Day. 

2. Check out a St. Patrick’s Day parade

The St. Patrick’s Day parades are legendary, from the OG Dublin parade to the massive street parties in New York, Boston, and Chicago (where they literally dye the Chicago River bright green – no, really).

3. Dine like the Irish

Try out some traditional Irish dishes like boxty, Irish stew, coddle, or soda bread. Bonus points if you wash it all down with a pint of Guinness or a dram of Irish whiskey. And if you’re among Irish Americans, expect corned beef and cabbage.

4. Get a pint at a pub

If you really want to do St. Patrick’s Day properly, hit up an Irish pub and order a Guinness (or five). There’s a whole list of the best pubs in Dublin for Guinness you could go to. Or even better – visit the Guinness Storehouse to see where and how this black goodness is brewed.

5. Learn some Irish phrases

• Sláinte! (Cheers!)
• What’s the craic? (What’s up?)
• A pint of Guinness, please

6. Drown the Shamrock

It’s tradition to drop a shamrock into someone’s final drink of the night, then toss it over their left shoulder for good luck.

7. Experience St. Patrick’s Day IRL

No better way to get in on the fun than heading to Dublin, pub hopping, wearing green and grabbing a pint with your newly-made friends. Sound good to you? Check out our St. Patrick’s Day trip.

Best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Looking for the ultimate St. Paddy’s experience? Here are some of the best spots to soak up the Irish vibes:

1. Dublin

This is where the true St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are at. Expect a multi-day festival with citywide parades, live music, and some of the world’s best Guinness pouring nonstop. Pubs will be packed, the energy will be electric, and Temple Bar (the famous street of pubs in the centre) will be a sea of green.

2. New York City

It’s home to the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade (featuring over 150,000 participants marching down Fifth Avenue) so expect a grand celebration.The Irish pubs in NYC also go all out, so you can sip your Guinness with a side of bagpipes and Irish charm.

3. Chicago

If dyeing the entire river wasn’t enough of a reason for you, Chicago also turns St. Paddy’s into a full-blown spectacle. Expect massive street parties, pub crawls, and an epic parade that makes the Windy City feel like Dublin for a day.

4. London

The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Trafalgar Square makes London one of the best places to celebrate outside Ireland. Plus, the city’s Irish pubs serve up Guinness, traditional music, and lively vibes all night long.

5. Sydney

With a massive Irish expat scene, you know you’re gonna get epic celebrations Down Under. Best part? The Sydney Opera House gets in on the fun by lighting up in
green, and the city’s Irish pubs are packed from morning to night.

Why is St. Patrick’s Day so popular in the US?

St. Patrick’s Day is huge in the US because of millions of Irish immigrants who brought their tradition across the Atlantic – and then cranked it up a notch. Think massive parades (since 1762 in NYC), rivers dyed green, green beers and lots of Guinness. Over time, it has become a nationwide celebration. Who wouldn’t love to dress up in green, dance to fiddle music and enjoy a cheeky lil’ pint?

So, whether you’re hitting up a St. Patrick’s Day parade, drinking in the best pubs in Dublin, or just rewatching Derry Girls while sipping on a Guinness, the 17th of March is all about celebrating good times with the best people.