You don’t have to be Irish or living in Ireland to join the fun and festivities of St. Patty’s Day. Many major cities around the United States and around the world celebrate their Irish heritage with parades, block parties, beer specials and river dyeing ceremonies. Here are the top five places to celebrate St. Patty’s Day this March:
Chicago, Illinois
What would St. Patrick’s Day celebrations be without a green river? The Windy City is a popular destination to watch the St. Patrick’s’ Day Parade and watch the Chicago River turn emerald green. The downtown parade and river dyeing events draw more than 400,000 spectators every year and you can head to the South Side and Northwest Side for family–friendly events and celebrations throughout the day.
Boston, Massachusetts
This East Coast city is famous for its St. Patrick’s Day traditions and you’ll find dozens of pubs and restaurants in the city serving green beer and Irish specialties all day long. Locals believe everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s Day in Boston and you can discover the city’s Irish heritage by trekking through the Irish Heritage Trail, attending the Irish Film Festival or catching some live music around town.
San Francisco, California
Join the United Irish Societies of San Francisco for the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival for a grand celebration of all things Irish. You’ll find events throughout the city, including live music, dancing, and other festivities. The parade route runs from Market Street to Civic Center Plaza near San Francisco City Hall.
Buenos Aires
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just celebrated in grand style in the United States and United Kingdom. Buenos Aires in South America honors its Irish ancestry with a block party and parade. Make your way to Plaza San Martin to catch the parade, enjoy the festivities all day, and party late into the night at area bars and restaurants.
London, United Kingdom
It may not be Dublin but the City of London hosts plenty of Irish revelries on St. Patrick’s Day. While Ireland celebrates its Patron Saint, London throws a party like no other in Trafalgar Square and you can find plenty of Irish food and beer in all the pubs across the city. A grand parade starts at Piccadilly and runs past The Ritz hotel, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and ends at Whitehall. Don’t miss the fairs and workshops around Pall Mall East after the parade.
