8 countries to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on 17 March
Every 17 March, the whole planet turns green, puts on a shamrock tree and raises a glass of Guinness to Ireland. St Patrick’s Day is much more than a simple Irish bank holidays: it has become one of the most widespread popular celebrations in the world, embraced by millions of descendants of Irish people scattered to the four corners of the globe since the great waves of emigration in the 19th century. Whether you’re in Dublin to experience St Patrick’s Day in its homeland, in Chicago to see the river turn green or in Tokyo to watch Asia’s biggest parade, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Here’s a round-the-world look at 8 countries where the festival is in full swing on 17 March.
Also read the Dublin guide:
- Top 10 culinary specialities in Dublin
- Where to stay in Dublin
- The 16 most beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- Drinking a beer in Temple Bar Dublin
- How to get to Ireland by ferry from France
1. Ireland: Dublin, the authentic birthplace of St Patrick’s Day
It’s impossible to talk about St Patrick’s Day without starting where it all began: Ireland. Although the first official celebration of the festival took place in Boston in 1737, and the first major parade on Irish soil only dates back to 1931, nowhere in the world is there a more authentic atmosphere for living out 17 March than in Dublin. Since 1995, the festivities have grown into a five-day festival, featuring spectacular parades, traditional music concerts, street theatre and circus acts.
The heart of the party, of course, is in the iconic Temple Bar area, a veritable village within the city where Irish pubs overflow with live folk music, laughter and creamy pints. The Temple Bar Pub (47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 N725, rated 4.6/5 on Google) is one of the best places to soak up the atmosphere. The festivities extend all the way to Dublin’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, which gives its name to this very celebration, and Trinity College, where students and tourists mingle in a joyous green chaos.
The national parade winds its way through the city centre, with its extravagant floats, brass bands and dancers in traditional costumes. Thousands of Dubliners wear green top hats reminiscent of the legendary leprechaun, the mischievous leprechaun of Irish folklore who is supposed to guard a treasure at the foot of the rainbow. To extend the adventure before or after the festivities, Visit Dublin on your own is an unforgettable experience thanks to the 20 points of interest in the Irish capital.
The Ha’penny Bridge, a 19th-century cast-iron bridge spanning the River Liffey, is at the heart of the excitement, while O’Connell Street welcomes crowds from all over Europe. Typical culinary specialities are also on show: Irish stew, soda bread and, of course, Guinness, brewed just a few miles away in the famous Saint-James’s Gate brewery. To find out everything you need to know about eating in Dublin, check out our guide to Dublin’s culinary specialities.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Dublin on foot and on your own
Take advantage of your stay in Dublin to explore the city far beyond the St Patrick’s Day festivities. The Navaway audio tour of Dublin offers you 20 places of interest with commentary, to follow at your own pace, without a guide, without a group and without time constraints. From the Georgian houses in Merrion Square to the Oscar Wilde statues, Custom House and the Famine Memorial, the app tells you Dublin as a story, not as a tourist catalogue.
2. Scotland: Edinburgh celebrates its Irish and Celtic roots
It may seem surprising, but it’s an often overlooked historical fact: Saint Patrick was of Scottish origin. His real name was Maewyn Succat, and he was born in the British Isles before being captured and enslaved in Ireland in the 5th century, before becoming its evangelist. So Edinburgh is by no means a secondary destination for St Patrick’s Day: the city seizes the occasion with a particular fervour, blending Irish culture and Scottish Celtic heritage in a most enthusiastic festive cocktail.
The lively pubs and bars of Scotland’s capital, many with Irish roots, host fantastic celebrations in the week leading up to 17 March. From live folk concerts to traditional ceilidh dancing, the city vibrates with infectious energy. The Grassmarket district is transformed into a hub of Irish festivities, with street entertainment, street food stalls and open-air concerts. The Three Sisters bar (139 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JS, rated 4.1/5 on Google) is one of Edinburgh’s leading St Patrick’s Day venues, with its outdoor bars, street food stalls and live entertainment that goes on until the early hours.
Another highlight of the season is the Edinburgh St. Patrick’s Day Charity Ball, an elegant gala organised by the local Irish community at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, which brings together lovers of Irish culture in a sumptuous setting every year. Edinburgh’s Irish pubs also offer storytelling sessions, folk concerts and dance classes, so everyone can immerse themselves in the Irish world, even without a drop of Celtic blood in their veins. Malones Edinburgh pub (242 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8DT, rated 4.1/5 on Google) is also a must on the evening of 17 March, with its doors open from 11am until 1am.
After the party, take the time to stroll around the old town and discover Edinburgh’s incredible treasures. Edinburgh Castle, which proudly dominates the skyline from its volcanic rock, The Royal Mile, the legendary thoroughfare linking the castle to the Palace of Holyrood, and St. Giles Cathedral with its luminous stained-glass windows are all magical places to explore during your stay. Don’t hesitate to let the app guide you through the cobbled streets and secret courtyards of this extraordinary city.
Download the audio tour to discover Edinburgh on foot and on your own
To explore Edinburgh beyond the St Patrick’s Day festivities, the Navaway audio tour of Edinburgh features 24 must-see places of interest with detailed commentary. From the Scottish Parliament to the Scottish National Gallery, from Calton Hill to the legendary Scott Monument, let the fascinating history of Scotland’s capital be told at your own pace. To prepare for your stay, don’t forget to consult our selection of Edinburgh’s culinary specialities, ideal for savouring the best addresses between two sessions of ceilidh! And to make the most of the city, find out everything you need to know about Visiting Edinburgh.
3. England: London goes green for St Patrick’s Day
With over 500,000 residents of Irish origin, London is home to one of the largest Irish communities in the world outside Ireland itself. So it’s no surprise that the British capital is one of the most enthusiastic St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Europe. London’s festivities are one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day celebrations outside Ireland, with the whole city involved for several days.
The highlight is the grand parade, which winds its way through the streets from Piccadilly Circus to the legendary Trafalgar Square, where an open-air festival takes over with live Irish music, dance performances, storytelling and food stalls. On the menu: steaming Irish stew, freshly baked soda bread and, of course, flowing pints of Guinness. Traditional Irish pubs from Camden to Covent Garden fill up with revellers who dance the night away to folk music. A traditional ball usually brings the festivities to a close.
What makes St Patrick’s Day in London particularly successful is the diversity of its audience: expatriate Irish people nostalgic for their native island, Londoners of all origins who seize the opportunity to party, and tourists from all over the world who swell the ranks of the festivities. Bars in Covent Garden and Soho offer special programmes throughout the weekend, with concerts by Irish bands on tour across Europe.
St Patrick’s Day is of course an excellent excuse to discover or rediscover London in depth. After the parade in Trafalgar Square, extend your walk to Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, or stroll over to Buckingham Palace to admire the royal residence decked out in green for the occasion. It’s a great way to combine festivities with cultural discovery. See all the must-sees in the British capital on our page for Visiting London.
Download the audio tour to discover London on foot and on your own
Whether you’re in London for St Patrick’s Day or any other occasion, the Navaway audio tour of London invites you to explore 20 of the British capital’s most iconic landmarks, with commentary full of humour and passion. From the London Eye to Covent Garden Market, from Westminster Abbey to St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, let us guide you at your own pace through one of the world’s most fascinating cities.
4. United States: New York, Boston and Chicago, temples to St Patrick’s Day
Did you know that the first St Patrick’s Day celebration in the world did not take place in Ireland, but in the United States, in Boston, in 1737? This can be explained by the early and massive presence of Irish immigrants on American soil. Even today, almost 10.8% of the American population claims Irish origins – around seven times the total population of Ireland! The United States is therefore the country that celebrates St Patrick’s Day most intensely outside the Emerald Isle itself, and three cities in particular stand out.
New York: the world’s biggest parade since 1762
New York is home to the world’s oldest and largest St Patrick’s Day parade, which dates back to 1762. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people dressed in green march down Fifth Avenue, from 44th to 82nd Streets. The procession passes in front of St Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, rated 4.8/5 on Google), a majestic neo-Gothic monument that takes on its full significance on this Irish bank holidays. The parade starts at 11am and attracts between 150,000 and 200,000 participants each year, not counting the two million spectators lining the pavements.
Boston: a quarter of the city of Irish origin
In Boston, where nearly a quarter of the population is of Irish origin, St Patrick’s Day is almost a state affair. The city is doubly celebrated on this day, as 17 March coincides with the commemoration of the British evacuation of Boston during the War of Independence – a historical coincidence that adds even more flavour to the festivities. The parade takes place in the district of South Boston (affectionately known as ‘Southie’), with floats, brass bands and thousands of participants. Concerts by Irish bands, a film festival and numerous events in local bars complete the programme.
Chicago: the river dyed green for over 60 years
It’s undoubtedly the most iconic spectacle of American St Patrick’s Day: every year, the city of Chicago dyes the Chicago River bright green, a tradition that has been going on since the 1960s and attracts huge crowds of spectators. The plant dye is poured into the river on the Saturday before 17 March, and the water instantly takes on a spectacular emerald green hue. The party then continues with a grand parade through the streets of the city centre, open-air concerts around Grant Park and lively weekend-long festivities in the city’s many Irish bars.
5. Canada: Montreal, home of North America’s oldest parade
Canada has very strong historical links with Ireland. The Irish famine of the 19th century sent floods of immigrants who have had a profound impact on Canadian culture and identity, particularly in Quebec and Newfoundland. But it’s Montreal that shines especially brightly on 17 March, as the city is home to the oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in North America: it was first celebrated in 1824, marking 200 years of uninterrupted Irish enthusiasm in the heart of French-speaking Quebec.
The Montreal parade is a three-hour spectacle involving hundreds of floats, brass bands, local celebrities and thousands of participants marching down the main De Maisonneuve thoroughfare. What makes St Patrick’s Day in Montreal so unique is this unlikely cultural crossroads between Irish heritage and the French language, in a city that has turned its multiple identities into a strength. Montrealers throw themselves into the festivities with a typically Quebecois generosity, transforming the Irish pubs in the city centre into veritable open-air concert stages. Toronto and Vancouver are not to be outdone, but Montreal remains the undisputed capital of Canadian St Patrick’s Day.
In Newfoundland, where Irish roots run even deeper, the celebrations take on an even more intimate and authentic tone, with musical vigils, traditional dances and stories passed down from generation to generation, recalling the popular origins of this festival which celebrates much more than a saint: it celebrates an entire people and their ability to overcome adversity.
6. Australia: Sydney lights up its Opera House in green for St Patrick’s Day
Australia has a deep and complex historical relationship with Ireland. As early as the 18th century, thousands of Irish were deported to what was then a British penal colony, and the famine of the 19th century amplified this migratory movement. As a result, Australia is now home to one of the largest Irish diasporas in the world, and St Patrick’s Day is celebrated there with an intensity that rivals that of Dublin itself.
Sydney organises the most impressive festivities. The festival and parade take place in the historic district of The Rocks (New South Wales 2000, Sydney), a colonial district that has retained its unique character with cobbled streets and old converted warehouses. Here, in a setting steeped in history, the festival traditionally kicks off at noon with live Irish music, traditional dance performances, Irish language classes open to all, stalls selling typical Irish dishes and carefully selected Irish crafts. The highlight? TheSydney Opera House is lit up in green for the occasion, providing an absolutely breathtaking night-time spectacle from the harbour.
In Melbourne, the festivities take place in a more intimate but just as warm atmosphere, with events organised in Irish pubs in the city centre such as P.J. O’Brien’s in Southbank or Hopscotch on the Yarra River. Australian universities, which have many Irish exchange students, also organise their own gatherings, reinforcing the popular and universal nature of the festival. St Patrick’s Day in Australia has the particular charm of taking place in the middle of the southern hemisphere summer, adding a touch of sunshine and relaxation to a tradition that has historically tended to be more northern.
7. Argentina: Buenos Aires, South America’s St Patrick’s Day
Argentina is perhaps the most surprising destination on this list, and yet the Irish community in Buenos Aires is one of the oldest and largest in South America. The first Irish immigrants arrived in Argentina in the 1820s, fleeing poverty and British rule, and left an indelible mark on the country’s identity. Today, Buenos Aires celebrates St Patrick’s Day with a fervour that rivals Dublin, with around 500,000 people taking part every year – a figure that rivals the Irish capital itself.
The festivities are concentrated mainly in the Palermo district and the Belgrano neighbourhood, home to a large part of the local Irish diaspora. The streets come alive with a colourful parade through the city centre, accompanied by traditional Irish music and entertainment of all kinds. The Irish pubs of Buenos Aires, veritable institutions in the city, are transformed for the occasion into concert stages open to the street, creating a collective party atmosphere that lasts well past midnight, in true Argentine style. The fusion of Irish culture and porteña festive exuberance creates a unique, warm and unforgettable celebration.
What makes St Patrick’s Day in Buenos Aires particularly touching is the sincerity of this attachment to Irish roots that are often distant but always alive. Families whose surnames have been Irish for five generations, descendants of migrants who left everything behind to cross the South Atlantic, come together every 17 March to share a common heritage in this city of a thousand faces. A moving testament to the power of culture to transcend distances and centuries.
8. Japan: Tokyo hosts the largest St Patrick’s Day parade in Asia
The most unexpected destination on our St Patrick’s Day world tour is undoubtedly Japan. And yet Tokyo is home to the largest and oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in Asia, held without interruption since 1992 – with only a forced break during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Irish diaspora in Japan is tiny, less than 2,000 strong, but that’s precisely what makes this phenomenon so fascinating: St Patrick’s Day in Tokyo is carried at arm’s length by the Japanese themselves, who are drawn to Irish culture with encyclopaedic passion and precision.
The “I Love Ireland” festival takes place over two days in Yoyogi Park (2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0052, rated 4.4/5 on Google), a huge park in the heart of Shibuya. Irish food stalls, folk music concerts, Irish dance demonstrations and even Irish (the Gaelic language) lessons are on offer to the public, who turn out in droves despite the language barrier. The grand parade then winds its way up Omotesandō Avenue, one of Tokyo’s most elegant thoroughfares, with its brass bands, jiggers and Irish dogs – Irish Wolfhounds and Irish Setters.
What is particularly remarkable about the Tokyo celebrations is the depth of Japanese attachment to traditional Irish music. Since Riverdance conquered Japan in the 1990s, Irish dance schools have sprung up in Tokyo and Yokohama. There is even an all-Japanese traditional Irish music group, the Dé Domhnaigh, which has a huge following throughout the country. And Hokkaido-born Makoto Nakatsui is one of the few master uilleann pipe makers in the world. St Patrick’s Day in Tokyo is much more than an imported festival: it’s a genuine dialogue between two cultures, Irish and Japanese, which find in music, art and literature a meeting ground as unexpected as it is luminous.
In conclusion, St Patrick’s Day is much more than a simple Irish celebration: it has become a global cultural phenomenon that brings together millions of people on every continent every 17 March, in a unique festive communion around the shamrock, the colour green and Celtic music. From the authenticity of Dublin’ s pubs to Tokyo’s incredible Japanese craze, from the majesty of New York’s parade to Australia’s balmy summer on Sydney Harbour, each country offers its own version of the festival, coloured by its history and its diaspora. Wherever you choose to celebrate 17 March, you’ll find something of the Irish soul on the corner of a pub or beside a green river: that natural generosity, that infectious joie de vivre and that ability to transform any place in the world into a piece of Ireland for a day.
Frequently asked questions about St Patrick’s Day around the world
When is St Patrick’s Day?
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on 17 March. This date commemorates the death of Saint Patrick, the evangeliser of Ireland, in the 5th century. It has been a public holiday in Ireland since 1903. If 17 March falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday.
Which country outside Ireland celebrates St Patrick’s Day the most?
The United States is the country that celebrates St Patrick’s Day with the most intensity outside Ireland. New York, Boston and Chicago organise huge festivities every year, inherited from massive Irish immigration in the 19th century. Approximately 10.8% of Americans claim Irish origins, or around 35 million people.
Why is the colour of St Patrick’s Day green?
Green is associated with St Patrick’s Day for several reasons: it evokes the shamrock used by St Patrick to explain the concept of the Trinity to the Irish, it refers to Ireland’s nickname “the Emerald Isle” because of its green landscapes, and it symbolises the arrival of spring on 17 March. Popular legend also has it that wearing green protects you from leprechaun pranks.
What’s the ideal city to celebrate St Patrick’s Day for the first time?
Dublin, of course, remains the destination of choice for experiencing St Patrick’s Day in all its authenticity. The Irish capital transforms the celebration into a five-day festival, with spectacular parades, live music in the pubs and a unique atmosphere. To prepare for your visit, our audioguided tour of Dublin will enable you to enjoy the city well before and well after the festivities on 17 March.
Where is the oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world?
The oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world is in New York, where it has been held since 1762. The Montreal parade, which dates back to 1824, is the second oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in North America.
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