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The end of winter means donning green clothing, chasing elusive rainbows, and attending St. Patrick’s Day festivals!
Every March, cities across the United States host annual events that combine Irish traditions and excitement for the whole family. From grand parade routes filled with colorful floats, fire engines, community groups, and antique cars to famous Irish pubs pouring glass after glass of green beer, there’s guaranteed to be a festival worth a trip. Below, find our favorite St. Patrick’s Day celebrations across the USA.
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St. Patty’s Day in New York City, NY
When it comes to iconic St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, New York City takes center stage. NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in the world.
Annually held on March 17th, thousands of parade entries high step up Fifth Avenue, including United States Veterans, local community groups, and spirited bagpipers. Visitors can expect live Irish Dance Groups and plenty of street entertainers filling the sidewalks during this family-friendly event.
After the St. Patrick’s parade, explore the Big Apple’s famous Irish pubs. Molly’s Shebeen on Third Avenue delivers a classic Irish pub setting, complete with Guinness and Corned Beef and Cabbage. Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar is known for lively Celtic music sessions.
Where to Stay
The Fitzpatrick Grand Central is an Irish-owned boutique hotel located near the parade route. Lucky guests will find warm hospitality and easy access to Midtown attractions.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, America’s largest Roman Catholic cathedral, in NYC. Photo by Denil Dominic on Unsplash
Fenway Fun in Boston, MA
Boston boasts deep Irish heritage, making it one of our favorite spots to visit this time of year. Here, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are truly some of the most authentic in the country.
The city’s Irish culture is proudly displayed on St. Patrick’s Day in the colorful floats rolling along the parade route in South Boston. Local community groups, fire engines, and sometimes antique cars join the procession, creating a warm, family-friendly event that any visitor will love.
While visiting Beantown, don’t miss the celebratory events around Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox and the Green Giant. Catch the Sox in their green spring training gear, then rock out to Boston’s Dropkick Murphys at the Citizen’s House of Blues on Lansdowne Street. Live music and famous sports bars near the ballpark always host St. Patty’s celebrations.
The festivities often start around March 15th and run through March 16th into the big day on March 17th.
Where to Stay
The Lenox Hotel is a charming, historic hotel that is just a stone’s throw from Fenway and Back Bay’s best Irish pubs.
St. Patty’s Day in Chicago, IL
When it comes to iconic St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Chicago tops the charts. Its downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade ranks among the largest in the nation (second only after NYC). It is annually held on the Saturday before March 17th. Visitors can expect an array of community groups, bagpipers, and colorful floats marching along Columbus Drive.
The annual dyeing of the Chicago River is a must-see. It attracts local families and visitors alike, creating a memorable celebration (that will definitely have you googling how they do that).
Don’t miss The Windy City’s lively Irish pub scene. The Kerryman in River North is a multi-level pub with a popular modern take on traditional Irish fare.
Chicago doesn’t mess around- if they can turn it green for St. Patty’s, they will. ©Photo by Benjamin R. on Unsplash
Where to Stay
LondonHouse Chicago on East Wacker Drive stands near the Emerald River and provides guests with easy access to downtown attractions. Modern rooms with sweeping city views make this a favorite spot for this epic event.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”6tU3Z” via=”no” ]Every March, cities across the United States host annual events that combine Irish traditions and excitement for the whole family. Here are the best 8![/ctt]
Dublin, Ohio, has Small Town St. Paddy Spirit
Can’t make it to the Emerald Isle itself? Don’t be dismayed. Dublin, Ohio, is a perfect substitute in the States.
Known for its tight-knit Irish-American community, Dublin throws one of the Midwest’s most festive St. Patrick’s Day parades around. The entire main street transforms into a sea of green with Irish dancers, spirited entertainment, and local Irish heritage on proud display. The festivities also include family-friendly activities like crafts, face painting, and interactive games. All of this makes it a great way to ensure that the whole family has a good time.
Where to Stay
AC Hotel Columbus Dublin is modern and conveniently located in Bridge Park, a short drive from Main Street’s parade festivities.
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Charleston, SC, Where Southern Charm Meets Irish Smiles
Head to Charleston, SC, where Saint Patrick’s festivities receive new life with a twist of famous Southern flair. Charleston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade features everything from Irish dance troupes to United States veterans, with all parade entries waltzing down Market Street. Expect toe-tapping Irish music and plenty of street entertainers. Don’t forget to raise a glass of green beer while you take in the view of colorful floats rolling on by Rainbow Row.
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Where to Stay
The Spectator Hotel on State Street is a boutique property located a short distance from Charleston City Market on Market Street. A 1920s-inspired hotel bar serves divine handcrafted cocktails.
Catch a leprechaun at the end of Rainbow Row in Charleston. ©Photo by Leo Heisenberg on Unsplash
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter Goes Green
Sunny San Diego might not be the first place one thinks of for Irish festivities but trust us, it should be. The St. Patrick’s parade and festivities in the Gaslamp Quarter give visitors a distinctly West Coast twist on the feast of St. Pat. Join lively pub crawls, dance to live music, and watch Irish dancers dazzle along Main Street. The city’s bars and famous Irish pubs, like The Field Irish Pub (whose interior was imported straight from The Emerald Isle). It’s not hard to find St. Paddy parties where you can enjoy a glass of green beer while munching on the best Fish and Chips this side of the Atlantic.
Where to Stay
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. It is perfect for hopping between pub crawls and post-parade parties.
Irish Eyes in Savannah, GA
Savannah is famously one of the largest and most beloved St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the South. In true Irish spirit, the entire historic district becomes a party zone featuring live entertainment, such as Irish step dancers, local community groups, and joyous crowds decked in all green. It’s a grand celebration for the whole family. Kids love seeing the fire engines and antique cars pass by on the gorgeous parade route.
Where to Stay
The Marshall House delivers guests a historic, central location that exudes Southern charm. It’s perfect for stepping out to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in mere minutes.
A rainbow leads the way to City Hall in Savannah, Georgia. ©Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
Florida’s Shamrockin’ Fun
For those looking to celebrate in sunny Florida, many cities- from Orlando to Tampa- host official St. Patrick’s Day parade events, family-friendly activities, and pub crawls. Warm weather pairs perfectly with live Celtic music and cold green beer under swaying palm trees, so it’s no wonder Florida has become a top spot to celebrate.
Of course, the parks in Orlando will go all out for any holiday, but especially this one! Visitors will find local restaurants, like Raglan Road in Disney Springs, offering mouthwatering corned beef, stews, and soda bread. March 17th is right before many schools get out for spring break (when Orlando can become too crowded for us), which makes this an ideal time to visit.
Where to Stay
Rosen Shingle Creek is a resort-style hotel with ample amenities and is within easy driving distance of many local St. Patrick’s Day events across Central Florida. It will provide families with a tranquil escape from all the festivities.
For Irish food, drinks, and dancing head to Raglan Road in Disney Springs. ©Photo by Raglan Road
Final Notes on an Irish Adventure in the USA
Whether you explore the streets of New York City, raise a toast in the Gaslamp Quarter, cheer on Irish dance troupes in North Charleston, or even catch a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, you’ll experience firsthand the pride in Irish heritage that makes St. Paddy’s Day so special.
To really experience all of the fun that these celebrations offer, we recommend an itinerary that includes March 15th through at least March 17th (give yourself a day or two to recover). Finally, unless you’re looking to get pinched (we won’t judge), embrace the tradition of wearing green. Sample the delicious food, share a glass of green beer with fellow revelers, and dance like you mean it. Sláinte!
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