Storefronts are decorated with shamrocks, bakeries are selling green-colored treats, and everyone is starting to wear more green - it must be close to St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Paddy’s Day is just a few short weeks away, which means it’s time to start making plans to celebrate the holiday.
We think the best way to celebrate this mirth-filled day is to travel to a city where they go big for St. Patrick’s Day. Check out the list below to learn about some of the most festive cities in the world and scout out the destination that’s right for you!
Dublin, Ireland
If you really want to get to the center of St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans, Dublin is where you need to be. The biggest and best St. Paddy’s Day parade is held in the Irish capital, where more than 500,000 people gather annually to watch the floats, marching bands, and more. Travel to the land of the leprechaun for beer and whiskey tastings, live music, and the annual Greening of the City, where the city of Dublin lights up 17 of their most iconic buildings in emerald light.
Chicago, Illinois
Go to the Windy City if you’re looking for a festive St. Patrick’s getaway this year. The city dyes the Chicago River green, something they’ve been doing for nearly sixty years. There is also a three-hour parade downtown, one of the largest in the United States. Enjoy a bar crawl while you’re visiting, and make sure you stop by the St. Patrick’s Day festival in the city.
New York City, NY
The Big Apple is home to the biggest and oldest St. Paddy’s Day parade in America. With more than 200,000 marchers and 2 million viewers, its easy to see how it got the title! If you’re looking to get your drink on, visit McSorley’s, Molly’s, or The Dead Rabbit.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is home to a large number of Irish descendants, making it a prime spot for St. Patrick’s Day fun. Check out the South side’s parade on the 15th, go on a pub crawl of some local Irish spots, and go to a St. Patrick’s Day festival or party. Boston’s own Celtic punk band the Dropkick Murphys also perform a string of shows for the holiday.
London, England
London boasts a large parade and St. Patrick’s Day festival this year on March 15th, as well as a film festival, several bar/pub crawls and more. The festival hosts well-known Irish acts as well as up-and-comers to keep you entertained, and there are also craft stalls to shop at and traditional Irish food available.
Which of these cities sounds like the most fun to you? Whichever you choose, you’re guaranteed a good time for the holiday.
