Map of States With the Biggest St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17, has evolved from a religious observance into a recognized cultural celebration in the United States.

Cities across the country host large-scale parades, dye rivers green, and bring communities together through Irish heritage celebrations.

Why Do People Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day originated as a feast day to honor Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was a fifth-century missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, and he died on March 17. Traditionally, the day is observed with church services and prayers.

Over time, Irish immigrants in the U.S. transformed the holiday into a broader celebration of Irish heritage and culture. Many cities embrace unique traditions to celebrate, like Chicago’s annual river dyeing, this year on March 15.

What Cities Have Some of the Biggest St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations?

New York City

Looking for big? Turn to New York City, which hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the nation. Approximately 150,000 people march in the parade that draws about 2 million spectators. The tradition dates back to 1762.

The parade is held annually on March 17 at 11 a.m., runs up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ends at East 79th Street.

Chicago

Chicago hosts several parades to celebrate the holiday, including the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the South Side Irish Parade, the Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Northwest Side Irish Parade, per a news release from Chicago.gov.

The city’s downtown parade this year celebrates its 70th anniversary on March 15. The parade begins at 12:15 p.m. at Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive in Grant Park. The parade will proceed north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Street.

What’s notable about Chicago? It’s famous for dyeing its river green, a tradition that began in 1962. Per Chicago.gov, the Chicago River will be dyed green beginning at 10 a.m. just west of the Columbus bridge to the east of Orleans on March 15.

The Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade will also take place on March 15, and the South Side Irish Parade will be on March 16.

Boston

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Suffolk County, Massachusetts—where Boston is located—is 12.6 percent Irish, and has an Irish population of 98,178.

Per the South Boston parade website, Bostonians were the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in North America. Festivities took place on March 17, 1737, to support the city’s new Irish immigrants.

As is tradition, South Boston will commemorate Irish heritage with the Saint Patrick’s Day parade on March 16 at 11:30 a.m. The parade also serves as recognition of Evacuation Day, marking the British troops’ departure in 1776.

Savannah, Georgia

The official government website for Savannah, Georgia, claims the city hosts the third-largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade, right after New York City and Chicago. The annual parade draws a crowd of roughly 300,000 people.

Savannah has hosted a St. Patrick’s Day Parade since 1824, making it one of the oldest in the country. The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee website states that local documents indicate two private processions took place two years earlier.

This year’s parade is slated for March 17 at 10:15 a.m.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia has the second-oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the U.S., dating back to 1771. The event, this year held on March 16, features 20,000 participants and a route along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year’s theme is: “St. Patrick, Bless Those Dedicated to Serving Others!”

These cities celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with vibrant parades, rich traditions, and unique local customs, making it a highly anticipated holiday.