St. Patrick’s Day is only a month away, and if you haven’t decided where to celebrate yet, now’s the time to start making plans. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in over 200 countries, and different cities bring different energy to March 17th: massive parades, over-the-top parties, but also authentic cultural traditions and classic pub experiences. Here are top cities that take Patrick’s Day seriously, each in its own way, so that you can choose the exact kind of celebration you’re looking for.
Dublin, Ireland
The land of a hundred welcomes is the very first on the list, for obvious reasons. In Ireland, March 17th is not only an honouring of the patron saint of the country, but also a celebration of Irish culture and heritage. Every year, half a million people gather in the capital city of Ireland to witness the 4,000 parade participants from all around the world, including marching bands and folk dancers. If you choose to travel to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be a part of a fun and lively celebration in a city with a deep sense of history and tradition. This year, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will start on March 17th at 12PM, at St Mary’s Chapel of Ease also known as the Black Church, and it’s an experience that you definitely want to put on your bucket list.
New York, USA
Dublin might be the cradle of Irish culture, but no one celebrates St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish diaspora in New York does. The Big Apple hosts the biggest St. Paddy’s Day parade in the world, stretching for six hours along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan with more than 150,000 marchers and over 2 million people attending every year. In 2025, the 264th New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will color the whole city green, and you need to fit in. There’s no need to try and fit an entire costume in your luggage – a festive green St. Patrick’s Day hat will do the trick just as fine. If you want to go all in, you can choose a themed Leprechaun top hat or a knit hat with Viking horns, and if you’re looking for something more practical, you can try a classic tweed flat cap in green plaid or the foolproof baseball cap featuring a shamrock or a harp. And since there’s no better time to support an Irish business, check out https://www.gaelsong.com/prod_detail_list/gifts-made-in-ireland and choose a headpiece from their collection of authentic Irish gifts. A headpiece like that is exactly what you need to make the most of this holiday season!
Chicago, USA
Chicago has one of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day traditions in the world: the one of dyeing the Chicago River green. The river was first dyed in 1962 and has been a beloved tradition ever since. If you want to witness it turning green before your eyes, keep in mind that the dyeing is usually held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day and not on the morning of the holiday. The Chicago parade itself is just as lively as the New York one, packed with floats, Irish dancers, and thousands of enthusiastic spectators from all across the globe. The city’s Irish pubs, like The Kerryman and The Galway Arms, are packed all day, and you can enjoy a pint of traditional Guinness or a green-colored beer at the end of the event. If you want a break from the crowds or you’re traveling with your family, the Irish American Heritage Center hosts a celebration with traditional music, storytelling, and plenty of Irish food (free for kids 12 and under!).
Montreal, Canada
This year, the Irish diaspora in Montreal celebrates a very special milestone – the 200th edition of the St. Patrick’s Day parade! The United Irish Societies of Montreal promises that the 2025 version of the second-oldest North American parade will be “the biggest and best one yet”, so if you want to be a part of history and don’t mind spending a few hours in the early spring chill, better save the date. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 16th, starting at 12PM on the De Maisonneuve Boulevard, and after three hours of live music, creative costumes, and lots of fun, you can continue celebrating at a local Irish pub such as Ye Olde Orchard or McKibbin’s.
