Best St Patrick’s Day Celebrations: Your Ultimate Guide

Shamrocks and shenanigans are what St Patrick’s Day celebrations are known for! Welcome to our blog on the ultimate guide to St Patrick’s Day celebrations all around the world, across the globe. As March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day, fast approaches, streets are set to be washed green. Irish hearts swell with pride while different communities unite together in the revelry of the legacy of St Patrick.

St Patrick’s Day events in the past used to be religious affairs consisting of a feast for everyone who celebrated it. The celebrations have now evolved into a global phenomenon celebrated with gusto in every corner of the globe. From the hustling New York City to the bustling streets of Dublin, swathes of communities and individuals come together to make it a memorable event for everyone.

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations

We’ll be spanning continents and cultures, giving you a taste of how St Patrick’s Day celebrations pan out globally. Whether you’re dancing in merriment at a parade, dressed up in green at a cosy Irish pub enjoying some Guinness, or celebrating virtually with family and friends far from home, we have you covered with our list. Let the festivities begin! Curious about the origins of St. Patrick’s Day? Check out our blog on St. Patrick’s Day - History, Traditions, Facts

1. Traditional Irish Pub Celebrations

St Patrick’s Day party ideas usually always begin with you and your mates and family enjoying a pint of Guinness at an Irish pub adorned in green. The typical scene in an Irish pub on St Patrick’s Day would look something like this: Irish folk songs sung by the hordes in full force, and a pint of Guinness or beer in everybody’s hands. Sounds like a blast, doesn’t it?

The sense of camaraderie on display by the celebrators is a sight to behold and something you must experience at least once in your life. Like many other cultures, it is the celebration of a shared heritage, but unlike many other cultures, the celebrations take place in unique environments and settings.

2. Global Parades and Festivals

A major aspect of St Patrick's Day celebrations is the global parades and carnival-like festivals that churn out in the streets of major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Dublin. The New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an annual event organised by the Irish Community of NYC. Thousands of people enter the parade each year, led by the Grand Marshal and also features representation from major uniformed services in NYC, such as the 69th New York Infantry Regiment, the New York Correction Department, the Fire Department of the City of New York, and more!

In Chicago, rivers are dyed green, and thousands of revellers take part in the annual parade, grooving to the tunes of the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe band. 

3. Family-Friendly Saint Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day can be celebrated with the utmost fun and gusto with family too. It’s a great way to bring everyone together and celebrate with love. There are plenty of options you can choose from to implement family-friendly St Patrick’s Day party ideas. Get the kids and family around in a big, wholesome circle and try out these St Patrick’s Day party ideas:

1. Shamrock crafts and activities

The shamrock clover, a symbol of Ireland, is a beautiful icon that you and your family can try to make arts and crafts out of. These St Patrick’s Day celebrations are harmless and quite fun once you actually get in the groove of it! Make paper shamrocks, decorate St. Patrick’s 's-themed cookies, and so much more!

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2. Irish-inspired cuisine for kids!

Introduce the young ones to Irish flavours and tastes. One can start off with simple recipes such as making soda bread, shepherd’s pie and green-themed snacks. Get the younguns involved by letting them mix the batter or perhaps pour the ingredients.

3. Games and classic traditions

Find the leprechaun’s gold by organising a treasure hunt, pin the clover on the shamrock and don green-coloured costumes for a fun game night as part of your St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

4. Green-themed Parties and Events

Everything from decorations to your clothes to even the food that is served at green-themed parties is supposed to be green. Staying true to Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, drowning the entire party in green is a great idea to make your St Patrick’s Day celebrations a major success. One can use green-themed decor such as:

1. Shamrock garland

2. Green centrepieces

3. Emerald table settings

4. Leprechaun inspired decor

Get creative with your decor ideas, experimenting with all that you can. 

5. Virtual Celebrations and Digital Events

There is a chance that either you or your family members may be away during St Patrick’s Day celebrations. That shouldn’t stop you from celebrating this joyous occasion with your loved ones! The COVID-19 pandemic saw parades and events related to St Patrick’s Day being cancelled at risk of contamination. However, the COVID-19 pandemic also have rise to the idea of a digital celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day! 

Now, even if you are away from friends and family, turn on your webcam and join in for all the festivities taking place back home. Cover yourself up in green and don your party hats as you cheer on with another pint of Guinness (or shamrock shakes if you don’t partake, of course)

St Patrick’s Day celebrations need not be limited to what this list says. Feel free to come up with your own celebration ideas and ensure it is a time you remember. Since Easter and St Patrick’s Day arrive close to each other, we’re sure you’re curious about Easter traditions and celebrations. We wish you and your family a Happy St Patrick’s Day!