Where in the World do you want to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
There are many celebrations all around the world to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Where in the world do you want to try celebrating?
Auckland, New Zealand
www.stpatrick.co.nz
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has a St. Patrick’s Day party each year that has a parade, a lighting of the 1,076-foot Sky Tower green and a fleadh (dance and music fest). In the 1840’s, Ireland-to-Auckland emigration began so there is a visible pride in the city’s Irish heritage.
Cabo Roig, Spain
www.spain-holiday.com/Cabo-Roig
A Guinness-fueled fiesta takes place under the stars after Spain’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Cabo Roig with fireworks, karaoke, flamenco dancers, and more.
Birmingham, England
stpatricksbirmingham.com
Birmingham’s post-industrial Irish Quarter, Digbeth hosts United Kingdom’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day. The floats, passing dancers and drum corps reflect the city’s cultural diversity while the spectators’ popular color of choice to wear would be emerald green. The pubs are packed on route and is sure to be an adventure.
Dublin, Ireland
www.stpatricksfestival.ie
Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival is one of the world’s biggest cultural celebration of Irish culture and craic (good fun) and runs over 5 days and nights. The extraordinary March 17 parade kicks off at noon from Parnell Square, where Dublin welcomes the world. A half million revelers line the route, so for a view other than the back of someone’s head, splurge for reserved Parnell Square Grandstand Seating.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
www.montrealirishparade.com
No matter the weather, since 1824 the United Irish Societies of Montreal have organized the Montreal St. Patrick’s Parade. It has run through rain and snow! The parade is traditionally held on the Sunday closest to March 17 with a party continuing at McKibbin’s, Hurley’s, the Sir Winston Churchill Complex, and other downtown pubs.
New York City, New York
www.nycstpatricksparade.org/
No cars or floats in this foot-powered procession is a powerful sight to see and led by a military unit. This St Patrick’s Day Parade was first staged in 1762 by homesick Irishmen serving in the British Army so it is a long-standing tradition that attracts more than two million spectators.
Boston, Massachusetts
www.southbostonparade.org
Did you know that Boston is the Nations’ most Irish state? Nearly a quarter of Massachusetts’ residence claim Irish ancestry! Thousands of people come to watch the parade hosted in South Boston (Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day central) which has been a tradition since 1901.