15 Top Places to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Around the World

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most beloved holidays around the world, and people celebrate it in a variety of ways. From the traditional parades and pub crawls to more creative approaches like dyeing rivers green, there’s no shortage of ways to honor St. Patrick’s Day. But if you’re looking to really experience the holiday, why not travel to some of the best places in the world to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? From Ireland to the US, here are 15 of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world!

1) Dublin, Ireland

As the capital city of Ireland, Dublin is an obvious choice for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Dublin is the perfect place to pay homage to the patron saint and celebrate Irish heritage. The city hosts a four-day St. Patrick’s Festival each year that includes concerts, parades, and other activities that draw people from all around the world. During the festival, you can also visit some of the city’s many historical landmarks including Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, and Christ Church Cathedral.  You can also visit the small island on Skerries, on the outskirts of Dublin, where St. Patrick reportedly lived. Dublin is  known for its vibrant nightlife and great pubs, so be sure to grab a pint of Guinness to get in the spirit!

2) New York City, New York

New York City has long been one of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day because of its large Irish population. The city’s Irish heritage dates back to the 19th century when millions of Irish immigrants came to America to escape the Great Famine. Today, there are plenty of ways to experience the luck of the Irish in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day.

The main event is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan which is the oldest and largest parade of its kind in the world. It began in 1762 and attracts nearly two million people every year. The parade starts at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue and makes its way down Fifth Avenue, ending at 86th Street. If you’re looking for a less crowded experience, head to the Bronx for the borough’s own St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Aside from parades, New York City has plenty of pubs and restaurants that celebrate the holiday. The Irish pub McSorley’s Old Ale House is a great place to grab a pint and soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub, while Irish bars such as Finnerty’s, O’Lunney’s, and Paddy Reilly’s offer live music, dancing, and plenty of drinks. There are also plenty of Irish restaurants serving traditional Irish dishes all over the city.

3) Boston, Massachusetts

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is the ideal place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This city has a proud Irish heritage, and each year there is a St. Patrick’s Day parade and various other activities honoring the holiday. The parade runs from South Boston to downtown, and features marching bands, floats, Irish step dancers, and more. Boston also celebrates with plenty of live music events, pub crawls, restaurant specials, and bar and club parties all weekend long. With its historic Irish connections, Boston is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

4) Chicago, Illinois

One of the best places in the United States to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is Chicago, Illinois. The city is home to an impressive Irish heritage, with a long-standing Irish-American population and even a rich traditional Irish music scene. On St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago celebrates its Irish roots with an extravagant parade and river-dyeing ceremony that includes live Irish music, bagpipers, marching bands, and more. There are plenty of bars, pubs, and restaurants around the city that offer traditional Irish fare and live music performances. So, whether you’re a local or a tourist, Chicago is definitely the place to be for a true St. Patrick’s Day experience.

5) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The City of Brotherly Love is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, with many festivities to choose from and a vibrant Irish heritage to enjoy. The popular Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a great way to kick off the day’s festivities, as it winds its way through Center City and is one of the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the nation. You can enjoy great Irish food and drinks at pubs and restaurants like Tir Na Nog, McGillin’s Olde Ale House, or O’Neals Pub. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, you can visit the Irish Memorial on Penn’s Landing, which honors the many immigrants who have made their home in Philadelphia and the surrounding area over the years. 

6) Savannah, Georgia

The bustling city of Savannah, Georgia is the perfect place to spend St. Patrick’s Day. As a city with deep Irish roots and a rich Irish heritage, it celebrates the holiday in a big way. From the traditional St. Patrick’s Day parade to more modern festivities like the “St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run for Beer” there’s something for everyone. There are even traditional Irish pubs throughout the city to help you get in the spirit. Whether you’re looking for a night of pub-crawling or a family-friendly day at the parade, Savannah has it all. If you’re looking for a true Irish experience, head to Savannah to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

7) San Francisco, California

As one of the most popular cities in the United States, San Francisco is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The city has a vibrant Irish heritage, and its colorful buildings, steep hills and iconic Golden Gate Bridge provide an ideal backdrop for the festivities. With its many Irish pubs, bars and clubs, as well as parades, concerts and other events, So don your green apparel and join in the fun. From traditional Irish pub crawls to marching bands, it will fill the city with revelers honoring their Irish roots in style.

8) Montreal, Canada

For those looking for a taste of Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Montreal is a great option! This vibrant city offers plenty of pubs and activities to celebrate the Irish holiday in style. St. Patrick’s Day in Montreal includes street parties, parades, special menus at various restaurants, and live music. One of the most popular events is the St. Patrick’s Parade, which features vibrant costumes, performances, and more. For an authentic Irish experience, be sure to stop by Hurley’s Irish Pub, where you can enjoy traditional Irish cuisine and drinks. 

9) London, England

Ah, London. Home of the iconic Big Ben and countless other iconic landmarks that make it one of the most visited cities in the world. But on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s even more special, as the city is home to one of the biggest Irish diasporas in the world. From the pubs to the parades, you can really feel the Irish heritage alive in London during this holiday.

The London parade is a highlight of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, with thousands of people marching along Oxford Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and The Mall. With colorful costumes and traditional Irish music and dancing, it’s a sight to behold! Another popular activity is pub hopping, as many pubs and bars offer deals and specials during St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re feeling extra festive, there are plenty of green-themed parties to choose from too.

10) Sydney, Australia

For those wanting to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Australia, the obvious choice is Sydney. Every year, the city lights up in green for a full week of festivities with Irish-themed events taking place across the city. The festivities usually start off with the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, which runs through the streets of Sydney and celebrates its Irish heritage. Attendees can expect to see traditional Irish dancing, music and costumes, as well as giant floats and other performances. There are also a variety of food and drink options available, such as Irish-themed cocktails and Guinness pies. Other activities include pub crawls, special dinners, and live music events.

11) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, the bustling capital of Malaysia, may not be the first place you think of when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, but the city is home to a vibrant Irish community and proudly celebrates its Irish heritage. Head to the Irish Club, in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle district, for an authentic celebration on March 17th. You can find traditional Irish fare such as bangers and mash, potato pancakes and shepherd’s pie at the bar, as well as live music and entertainment. There are also plenty of pubs, such as Murphy’s Irish Bar, offering green beer and Guinness, and often host events for the holiday. If you’re looking for something unique, there’s also the annual Leprechaun Chase, a fun race that includes costumes, prizes, and lots of green beer!

12) Bangkok, Thailand

Known as the “Venice of the East,” Bangkok is a vibrant and bustling city where East meets West and tradition meets modernity. This is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with its large Irish heritage population. You can join the locals in donning some green and head over to the many Irish pubs in the area, such as the Dubliner and O’Reilly’s. There are plenty of activities for all ages, from traditional Irish dance performances to live music. Enjoy some Irish dishes and drinks, including Guinness, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie. For something a bit more unique, try Thai-Irish fusion food like spicy-green curry or green noodles. Don’t forget to check out the local parades and festivities that take place throughout the city!

13) New Orleans, LA

For many, New Orleans is the quintessential place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. From the Irish Channel of the French Quarter to the array of green beer and festive parades, there’s plenty of Irish heritage and revelry to be found in this eclectic city. The St. Patrick’s Day parade has been held in the French Quarter since 1809, making it one of the longest running parades in the country. This vibrant celebration of Irish culture draws an average of over 200,000 people each year. If you’re looking for a fun-filled St. Paddy’s Day, head down to New Orleans for plenty of dancing, live music, green beer, and more.

14) Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City is a vibrant, cultural city that celebrates many international holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day. Mexico City is home to a large Irish expatriate community and several popular Irish pubs. Visitors to Mexico City can join the festivities and learn more about the city’s Irish heritage at a variety of events held throughout the city.

For those looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a quieter way, there are plenty of Irish pubs scattered throughout Mexico City where visitors can enjoy live music and a cold pint of Guinness. The city is also home to several Irish restaurants, offering a variety of delicious cuisine with an Irish twist. So whether you’re looking for a lively parade or a more laid-back pub atmosphere, Mexico City has something for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day.

15) Buenos Aires

The cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, Argentina is a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish community in the city can be traced back to the 19th century, making it one of the oldest of its kind in Latin America. You can visit iconic spots such as Plaza Irlanda and enjoy traditional Irish food like Shepherd’s Pie, Irish stew, and cabbage rolls. Make sure you don’t miss out on the big St. Patrick’s Day parade where everyone dresses up in green to honor their Irish heritage. Also, keep an eye out for all the pubs around the city offering discounts on drinks and snacks!