Every year when St Patrick’s Day comes around, street corners and pubs around the world are filled with celebrations in the name of Ireland’s most famous patron saint.
A perfect excuse to wear green and drink Guinness with loved ones, see below for 8 of the best international festivities.
USA
- Celebrate at one of the largest parades in the US, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Celebrate Ireland’s patron saint in Pittsburgh at one of the largest St Patrick’s Day parades in the US. Given that 14% of the population is Irish, the city knows how to celebrate. Taking place on 11 March in Downtown Pittsburgh, the parade route is 1.4 miles from start to end, with an expected 200,000-350,000 spectators. Attendees can spot 200 marching units, bands, floats and a sea of green memorabilia to kick off a true day of celebration. Visitpittsburgh.com
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, Sacramento
In keeping with the city’s passion for events, food and drink, St. Patrick’s Day in Sacramento is a celebration not to miss. Beginning along the Old Sacramento Waterfront area, hundreds of colourful marchers, Irish dancers and pipe and drum bands parade through the streets of the National Historic Landmark district. Visitors to the city over the celebratory weekend can enjoy the parade among the thousands who attend, as well as live music from local musicians, pop-up outdoor beer gardens, and a vendor village with a variety of food and local produce. www.visitsacramento.com
- 40th anniversary of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Phoenix, Arizona
Home to a vibrant Irish community, Arizona, and particularly its capital Phoenix, celebrate St. Patrick’s day with an annual event and a calendar full of organised bar crawls. This year, the 11 March marks the 40th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in Phoenix. ‘The greenest day in the desert’ parade and fair brings music, dancing, a heritage pageant and diverse food and drink options. Around the city, each year the streets come to life with groups of pub crawlers decked out in green. A variety of organised crawls take place in the Metro Phoenix area for visitors to buy a wristband for and join the fun. www.visitarizona.com
- Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Florida’s Paradise Coast
Now the largest privately-funded Parade in the state, Florida’s Paradise Coast city of Naples celebrates Irish heritage and culture each year and donates thousands to local schools for music programmes and scholarships. Initiated over 40 years ago, the annual parade brings a fun-loving, family friendly celebration to the city with performances, bands, singers and huge floats, while also offering an opportunity for local businesses and musicians to promote themselves. Florida’s Paradise Coast
- St Patrick’s Day in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
When finishing the day on the slopes get ready for an Irish takeover in Aspen for St Patrick’s Day. This year, there will be a selection of various après parties and Irish themed dinners to choose from all over town. Aspen Brewing Company, well known for producing a wide range of award-winning craft beer will have a special celebration for St. Patrick’s Day with live après music. This also coincides with celebrations as a part of their 15 year anniversary and there will be a new beer release on the same day. www.aspensnowass.com
- Make a run for it in the St Patrick’s Day Dash, Seattle, Washington
A true tradition, the St Patrick’s Day Dash is back for its 39th year running. Taking place on 12 March, the event will once again call Seattle Center home. 5K participants will make a move from Seattle Center and complete an out and back jaunt along Aurora Ave before returning to the finish line at Seattle Center. After the dash, participants will be greeted by the St. Pats Post Dash Bash. To bolster festivities, there will be a host of live music, traditional Irish Dancers, tasty food and Guinness. As well as giveaways, costume contests and free family fun with the Irish Heritage Club Festival. Visitseattle.org
REST OF THE WORLD
- St Patrick’s Day Festival at The Rocks, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney’s iconic St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade is returning to The Rock for a family-friendly, free day of fun. A popular hotspot for locals and tourists, this buzzing neighbourhood of historic laneways hosts events throughout the year and is home to some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. Kicking off at 9:30am and drawing to a close at 11am the festival will include the renowned St Patrick’s Day Parade, Irish language lessons, live music accompanied by a host of entertainment including stilt walkers and Irish dancers as well as face painting, bars and food stalls. www.visitnsw.com
- St. Patrick’s Day in Tokyo, Japan
Japan may be far from Ireland but holds a long standing enthusiasm for the country’s cultures and traditions. Tokyo’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are Asia’s oldest and largest, and are just one of 15 St. Paddy’s day celebrations across the country. The city celebrates with a much-loved, family friendly parade full of marching bands, Irish dancers and musicians, and even Irish Wolfhounds and Setters decked out in green. On the same weekend, the I Love Ireland Festival is held in Yoyogi Park with Irish cross Japanese foodie treats, live music and dance performances. www.japan.travel/en/
