How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Style at Home or Away

It doesn’t matter if you are staying in, going out, or traveling to another city, because we've got some craic-ing ideas for you.

Time to embrace your Irish side...

Stay at Home

If you don’t want to fight the crowds or stay out late, it’s no problem. You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at home! 

• Dress Up—A good place to start is with the decorations. Wear green. Dress your kids and pets in green. Paint your face. Color your hair. Whatever makes you happy. Another option would be the colors of the Irish flag: green, white, and orange. Or you could really go full St. Patty’s Day and wear a leprechaun costume. And then there is the classic  'Kiss Me, I’m Irish’ shirt. 
• Food and Drink—Make yourself some green beer or have a pint of authentic Irish lager—or even better, a pint of Guinness! To go with your beer, you can cook up some Irish stew with colcannon, corned beef with cabbage, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, potatoes, or Irish soda bread. 
• Fun—For a bit of fun, turn on some Irish music and try to perfect your dancing. Or if dancing is not your thing, have an Irish movie marathon. You might want to get subtitles. The accent can be a bit tricky. 

Going Out

First of all, shamrocks and green are always a good first step. 

• Parade—During the day, head to a local parade or fair. You will probably hear live Irish music, see some authentic dancing like the céili, and get to purchase some classic Irish dishes.
• Fun—Another option would be to join a 5K. There are many races around the US with catchy names like Lucky Leprechaun and Leprechaun Leap. Another option could be to join a cooking class. You will not only get to eat great Irish food but learn to cook it so you can have it all year round!
• The Night Out—Most people wouldn't feel like their St. Patrick’s Day was complete without a trip to the pub. Even if you're not a fan of the all-night party, a quick trip to the pub for a pint can be a great way to end a day full of St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

For the traveler

Sometimes you just need to get away. While March is not the most common month for a vacation, it can be a lot of fun to travel somewhere else to see how they celebrate St. Patrick's Day. If you can’t make the trip to the Emerald Isle, there are many cities around the US which are almost just as good. Book your hotel or Airbnb early so you don't miss out on your favorite spot!

• Boston—According to the Census, Boston has the highest percentage of people with Irish descent. It should be no surprise then that they know how to celebrate this holiday. They have a huge parade, the third largest in the country, an Irish film festival, and a concert series by the Dropkick Murphys.
• Washington, DC—The city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the Shamrock Festival, an all-day event with more than 50 Irish bands, a parade, games, rides, and an Irish village.
• Savannah—Georgia may not be the first place you conjure when you think of St. Patrick’s Day, but know it will be. Savannah has the second largest parade in the US and features many parties and activities all over the city. 
• New London, Wisconsin—For a different take on the holiday, New London celebrates with an Irish funeral parody complete with funeral procession, hearse, and coffin, They also have leprechauns which change the town’s signs to read New Dublin. 
• Chicago—On St. Patrick’s Day, Chicago is most famous for dying the Chicago River green. They also hold a parade and you will find lively pubs and green beer almost everywhere you go.
• Hot Springs, Arkansas—Another quirky place to celebrate, Hot Springs features Irish Elvis impersonators, a kissing contest with the Arkansas Blarney Stone, and the world’s largest inflatable leprechaun. They also have the world’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade, only traveling 98 feet. 
• New York City—The biggest city in the US holds the largest St. Patrick’s Day party. The parade features over 300,000 marchers and draws a crowd of almost 3 million each year. There are also activities at the Irish Arts Center's Annual St. Patrick's Open Day, as well as celebrations at the many Irish pubs around the city. 
• New Orleans—Even though the city is best known for Mardi Gras, it also holds the Irish Channel Parade. During the parade, people throw traditional Irish stem ingredients such as cabbage, potatoes, and carrots into the crowd.

Image: Peter O'Toole / Shutterstock.com

There are hundreds of other events planned all over the country, so no matter where you decide to go there is sure to be some kind of Irish-themed fun to be had. No matter where you are or where you go, there is always a way to make St. Patrick’s Day one of the highlights of your year!