From the Emerald Isle to London to America and back again, Musement takes a look at 14 destinations known for their rollicking St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Shamrocks, Celtic folk music, a pint of Gat, a leprechaun hat and everything green! So, St. Patty’s Day shenanigans are upon us again. Here, in no particular order, are twelve destinations around the world where you can celebrate the patron saint of Ireland enjoy plenty of revelry in the process.
1. Dublin
What better place to celebrate this jovial Irish holiday than in the capital of the Emerald Isle? Dublin offers much more than rowdy pubs and faux orange beards on St. Patrick’s Day. Attend the five-day (13-17 March) St. Patrick’s Day Festival that includes a mesmerizing parade and plenty of live music and dancing! Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse to couple some Irish history with a traditional pint or take an adventure into the beautiful Irish countryside to see the scenery that inspired Ireland’s nickname for yourself.
2. New York
Aside from the Emerald Isle itself, there’s no place like New York to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! The city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the oldest and largest in America with more than 150,000 participants! Plus, with plenty of Irish pubs on seemingly every corner, the party never stops in the ‘city that never sleeps’.
3. Cork
This age-old Irish coastal city delights the senses with its fresh sea air, colorful historic buildings, and the nearby majestic Blarney Castle. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in this Irish gem will not disappoint thanks to the city’s three-day St. Patrick’s Day Festival.
4. London
In London, St. Patrick’s Day is a jovial three-day event celebrating Irish culture and history. Each day, Trafalgar Square showcases Irish artists with performances from stars of the West End Musicals. The Irish Street Food Market takes place in Trafalgar Square East, and be sure to check out the Irish Film Festival from March 13-15.
5. Savannah, Georgia
St. Patrick’s Day is a month-long affair in Savannah which makes it a particularly travel destination in March. The party peaks during the St. Patrick’s Day Festival on River Street and City Market on March 13th and 15th, while the parade takes place on St. Patrick’s Day itself. Fun for the whole family, the festival includes live entertainment, goofy photo booths, crowd-pleasing street food, and plenty of beverages!
6. Edinburgh
Experience a ‘Celtic faery tale’ by celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Cowgate Street in the heart of the medieval Old Town of Edinburgh. Located southeast ofEdinburgh Castle, this UNESCO-protected quarter is also fondly referred to as ‘Little Ireland’. The Three Sisters will be hosting the St. Patrick’s Festival here on March 14 – 17. Doors open at 7am each day, and we suggest arriving as early as possible to claim your seat. You can also celebrate another wonderful Celtic tradition by attending one of the city’s fantastic Irish and Highland dance performances.
7. Belfast
This beautiful city in Northern Ireland is home to Titanic Studios where the Game of Thrones was filmed. Belfast is only a stone’s throw away from some of the most iconic filming locations such as The King’s Road, Winterfell and the Iron Islands, to name a few. As for some great Irish folklore, learn about the story of the Giant’s Causeway on a visit to this natural wonder. And of course, be sure to take part in the St. Patty’s Day parade and concert.
8. Boston
This exciting city is one of America’s oldest and its revolutionary Irish culture runs deep. Boston’s long history of Irish immigration has fostered quintessential Irish neighborhoods such as Charlestown and South Boston, where the St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place on March 17. It’s also worth noting that the basketball team is called the Boston Celtics and the city’s library honors a former president with Irish ancestry: John F. Kennedy.
9. Galway
This charming coastal city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is in its 118th year. So, naturally, you can expect a plethora of traditional and entertaining Irish festivities all weekend long in Galway. From March 15 to 17, merrymakers can attend the spectacular parade, watch a free family-friendly concert in Eyre Square, and enjoy the performances of a variety of Irish performers.
10. Limerick
A perfect choice for families looking to celebrate the holiday together, Limerick’s St. Patrick’s Day festival takes place March 15-17. The entertaining family-fun events include a parade complete with impressive circus acts by jugglers, clowns, contortionists, fire eaters and more! The St. Patrick’s Day Festival Extravaganza also includes a spectacular fireworks display.
11. Chicago
Chicagoans take their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations seriously with a multitude of fantastic events that celebrate Celtic heritage. Chicago boasts performances by Irish dancers, live pub music and of course the ritual transformation of the Chicago River to a glistening shade of emerald! The river will be dyed on March 16 at 9.00am then followed by the St. Patty’s Day Parade.
12. New Orleans
The Big Easy isn’t necessarily known for its Irish ancestry, although it definitely has an amazing party reputation! The colorful Irish-themed floats and Celtic celebrations last from March 13 to April 6 because locals love any excuse to have a parade/ Plus, March weather in New Orleans is delightfully warm and sunny!
13. Seattle
Beautiful National Parks, delectable cafes and a fantastic live music scene make Seattle a wonderful choice for any holiday…especially St. Patrick’s Day. Attend the Irish Festival at the Seattle Center Festal from March 13 and 17. Irish activities, food, drinks and exhibitions all ensure some good ole Irish-style ‘craic’–Gaelic for good times!
14.San Diego
San Diego has one of the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country! Attend the parade which kicks off at 10.30am on Saturday, March 14, which will be followed by a series of events such as an Irish Festival in Balboa Park from 1pm to 6pm. The annual Diego ShamROCK event features live Celtic bands followed by DJs, dancing and performers, starting at 2pm and finishing at midnight.
Cover Photo credit: avrene on VisualHunt.com / CC BY.