History of St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day celebration started in 1631 when the Roman Catholic Church hosted a feast to honor St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. During the 18th century, it became a public holiday in Ireland and provided an opportunity for people to stop abstinence during the lent season for one day.
To remind people of the initial purpose of St. Patrick’s day, the church assigns St. Patrick his botanical item– the lucky shamrock, which shaped a lot of modern-day traditions. The color green wasn’t associated with the day until 1798, the year of the Irish Rebellion. Irish people chose green since the British wore red. From then on, green has been an important part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Today, St. Patrick's Day is observed around the world as millions of people wear green and attend parades in honor of Irish culture and heritage. Although some of the customs associated with the holiday are not actually Irish in origin, St. Patrick's Day remains a beloved celebration for many people of all backgrounds.
Many places in the U.S. and in Europe celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in their own unique way, so it’s an amazing opportunity to travel to these destinations and enjoy the celebration with the local people. Moreover, you can find a local homestay through GlobeSisters, where we provide a female-only homestay community. Here you can find the safest places and the kindest hosts to make your trip even better. If you’re unsure of what homestay is, here’s an article on its pros and cons to help you get started.
US Destinations
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the oldest and most significant Irish-American communities in the United States. It has a large Irish population and a rich history of Irish immigration, which is reflected in the city's culture, food, and music. The city hosts a number of St. Patrick's Day events, including the St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, which attracts over 1 million people every year. The parade is followed by the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast, a tradition where politicians and community leaders gather to share a meal and exchange jokes and insults.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is known for its St. Patrick's Day traditions, particularly the annual dyeing of the Chicago River. The river is dyed green with vegetable dye every year, and the city also hosts a large parade that travels through downtown Chicago. The parade features marching bands, floats, and Irish dancers, and is one of the largest St. Patrick's Day events in the country.
New York City, New York
New York City is home to one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the world. The parade has been held in New York City for over 250 years and features over 150,000 marchers, including bagpipers, marching bands, and Irish step dancers. The parade route runs up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 79th Street and attracts over 2 million spectators each year.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has a large Irish population and a deep connection to Irish culture and heritage. The city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations are some of the largest in the South, featuring a parade, live music, and an Irish feast.
Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the largest in the country and features hundreds of floats, marching bands, and other performers.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has a strong Irish heritage, with many of its residents tracing their ancestry back to Ireland. The city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations include a parade, live music, and historical Irish dishes. The parade features floats, marching bands, and other performers, and is followed by a block party in the city's Irish Channel neighborhood. New Orleans also has a number of Irish pubs and restaurants that offer special St. Patrick's Day menus and events.
European Destinations
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is the birthplace of St. Patrick and the home of the world-famous St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade is a colorful and festive celebration that winds through the streets of the city and features floats, marching bands, and traditional Irish music and dance. In addition to the parade, there are many other St. Patrick's Day events and activities in Dublin, including live music, theater performances, and cultural exhibits.
London, England
London has a large Irish community and a strong tradition of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The city hosts a parade that starts in Piccadilly and travels through Trafalgar Square, featuring marching bands, Irish dancers, and floats. There are also many other St. Patrick's Day events and activities in London, including live music, pub crawls, and Irish snacks and beverages.
Munich, Germany
Munich hosts the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in Germany, featuring floats, marching bands, and traditional Irish music and dance. The parade starts in the city center and winds its way through the streets, ending at the Odeonsplatz. There are also many Irish pubs and bars in Munich that offer St. Patrick's Day specials and events.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam hosts a St. Patrick's Day festival that takes place over the course of several days and includes live music, dance performances, and Irish-themed food and drink. The festival culminates in a parade that travels through the city center, featuring floats, marching bands, and performers in colorful costumes.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast hosts a St. Patrick's Day carnival that features live music, street performers, and carnival rides. The carnival culminates in a parade that travels through the city center, featuring colorful floats and performers in traditional Irish dress. There are also many other St. Patrick's Day events and activities in Belfast, including live music and dance performances.
These are just a few of the cities in the US and in Europe that have their unique celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day! After all, it’s an opportunity for you to relax and enjoy life and look forward to celebrating with family and friends! It is also a great way to meet new friends, especially on big holidays when the city’s hosting big celebrations.
So pick the place that most appeals to you and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Don’t forget that GlobeSisters offers cost-efficient homestay opportunities in case you want to cut your budget. We really hope to encourage you to go on your trip and feel free to join our GlobeSisters community on our app where you can share your unique experiences and get insights from sisters around the world!