Hands down, one of the most fun-filled and anticipated annual celebrations around the world is St. Patrick’s Day. It is so widely popular that more than 200 countries worldwide mark the day with different events and festivities. The celebration has been taking place for over 1,000 years in Ireland and has expanded from there.
If you’re used to wearing green, drinking a green-colored beverage, and wishing everyone the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, you may be curious to read about what some countries do to commemorate the day. Here’s a look at ten of the most exciting and best St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations around the world. After reading these, you may want to plan on traveling to one of these celebrations next year so you can take part.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Boston, MA, USA – the Home of the Original Parade
Let’s get right to what is probably the most interesting fact as you explore what’s happening with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade wasn’t held in Ireland but in Boston, MA, USA, in 1737. Despite these parades starting in the United States, it was Irish immigrants who began the tradition. So, it still has deep Irish roots.
The parade was meant to give Irish immigrants a way to celebrate their heritage, feel pride in their Irish background, and draw attention to them, as many were finding it difficult to find work in America. Because the parade has gotten so big, spectators are encouraged to arrive via public transportation, bike, or foot. The route is 3.5 miles long, which gives people plenty of places to watch it from.
New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
New York City also deserves props, as no one puts on a parade quite like this city. The NYC version is loud, colorful, exciting, and tons of fun – exactly what you’d expect from the Big Apple.
Here’s something that will probably shock you about this parade: it first began way back in 1762, a whopping 14 years before the country even signed the Declaration of Independence. To say St. Patrick’s Day has strong roots in NYC is an understatement. The parade starts at Fifth Ave at East 44th Street and then goes to East 79th Street. It attracts about two million spectators, and more than 150,000 people participate in the parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Munich, Germany
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Munich may not be the first destination that comes to mind, but it has thrown its hat into the ring. In terms of the age of the parade, Munich has one of the youngest, but that shouldn’t detract from the fun it offers.
Spectators show up dressed in Irish green clothing, sporting leprechaun hats, and full of goodwill. Sure, it can’t compete in size with NYC, but it’s not trying to. Ensure you head to Leopold Strasse to get in on the day’s action and don’t miss out on the celebrations.
Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Then, we move north to Montreal, QC, Canada, for the next noteworthy celebration. This parade is three hours long, beginning at noon sharp. The Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade parade begins at Fort Street and De Maisonneuve and ends at Jeanne-Mance and De Maisonneuve.
This parade proves that Canada knows how to celebrate and that its Irish spirit is strong. Not only will spectators be treated to fabulous and colorful floats, authentic Irish music, and some excellent costumes, but there will also be a Parade Queen and Court.
Australia “Goes Green” for the Celebrations
Australia doesn’t have just one St. Patrick’s Day parade; there are many nationwide. Some notable parade locations include Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. To make the day even more special, Australia embraced a “Go Green” initiative in which the country lights up green to support its Irish roots. Many buildings, landmarks, and attractions are lit up green on March 17th to show support for the day.
Perhaps the most iconic building to “Go Green” is the Sydney Opera House.
Auckland Is One of the First to Celebrate the Day Thanks to Its Time Zone
A fun fact about the celebrations and festivities in Auckland is that beyond being exciting, they are one of the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day yearly. Auckland is 13 hours ahead of Dublin, so the day has already started and been celebrated by the time those in Ireland wake up.
The Celebrations Reach Into Space
If you think St. Patrick’s Day celebrations only occur here on earth, think again. Even those aboard the International Space Station recognize the day and take part in Irish traditions and celebrations. Some ways it has been commemorated are with an Irish flute song and a crew member dressing in green and singing Danny Boy.
London Makes Sure Festivities Are More Than Just a Parade
London, England, isn’t satisfied with just a standard parade. Instead, its celebrations include performances, art, music, cuisine, and more, all from Irish culture. It’s a way for people to participate in the celebrations and learn about Ireland.
It’s More Than Just a Parade in Montserrat
While all the festivities we’ve mentioned until this point have been about parades, Montserrat takes St. Patrick’s Day seriously and goes further than a standard parade. Here, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, making it the only place that has done so. It’s not exactly where you would assume it to be a big deal, but that’s part of the allure. Because it’s a public holiday, the celebrations are huge, and it feels like everyone takes part.
The reason it’s a national holiday is because that same date – March 17 – was when the Montserrat martyrs of freedom tried to overthrow the Caribbean island’s leaders while they were enjoying an Irish feast. It’s about recognizing the culture’s Irish roots and paying homage to the enslaved people who fought against it.
St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland – It Tends to Be Biggest with the Tourists
Then we have the celebrations in Ireland, which is both a cultural and religious holiday. It marks the death of Saint Patrick, the country’s patron saint. It started as a religious observance, not a day to hold parades. Today, the festivities can range from large to small. If you’re searching for the biggest parade in Ireland, that title goes to Dublin.
You may be surprised to learn that St. Patrick’s Day isn’t necessarily a big day for native Irish residents. Instead, it marks the start of the tourist season, drawing huge crowds who want to join in on the celebrations. Generally speaking, the Irish turn their noses up at the thought of drinking green beer, dying their hair green, and dressing like leprechauns for the day.