National Geographic staffer Kimberly Calder knows not everyone can partake in authentic St. Patrick's Day fun in Ireland, but below she offers her tips--a "Green Guide" if you will--on the best places to visit for St. Patrick's Day, even if you can't get to Ireland.
How did the rest of the world get so enamored with this Irish holiday? Was it the pinching? The parades? The beer? The good luck? Fortunately, you don't have to be Irish, Catholic, or even in Dublin to celebrate. Here's a city "Green Guide" to some of the biggest and most notable St. Patrick's Day events in the U.S. and abroad.
New York
Irish New York: Saturday, March 14, 1:00 p.m.
Tour "Little Ireland," a former Irish district on the Lower East Side, which, at one time, had more Irish residents than Dublin.
Joe Hurley's 10th Annual All-star Irish Rock Revue: Saturday, March 14 (and Tuesday, March 17), 6:30 p.m.
An all-Irish, all-star celebration including, punk-rock legends, Broadway stars, and comedians performing the greatest songs to hale from Ireland.
Irish Arts Center Open House: Sunday, March 15, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free Irish dance lessons, movie screenings, Gaelic language classes, and other cultural activities for both kids and adults.
New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Tuesday, March 17, 11:00 a.m.
The largest Saint Patrick's Day parade (with more than two million spectators) marches up 5th Ave. and passes many notable locations such as, St. Patrick's Cathedral & the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Irish American History.
How did the rest of the world get so enamored with this Irish holiday? Was it the pinching? The parades? The beer? The good luck? Fortunately, you don't have to be Irish, Catholic, or even in Dublin to celebrate. Here's a city "Green Guide" to some of the biggest and most notable St. Patrick's Day events in the U.S. and abroad. New York
Irish New York: Saturday, March 14, 1:00 p.m.
Tour "Little Ireland," a former Irish district on the Lower East Side, which, at one time, had more Irish residents than Dublin.
Joe Hurley's 10th Annual All-star Irish Rock Revue: Saturday, March 14 (and Tuesday, March 17), 6:30 p.m.
An all-Irish, all-star celebration including, punk-rock legends, Broadway stars, and comedians performing the greatest songs to hale from Ireland.
Irish Arts Center Open House: Sunday, March 15, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free Irish dance lessons, movie screenings, Gaelic language classes, and other cultural activities for both kids and adults.
New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Tuesday, March 17, 11:00 a.m.
The largest Saint Patrick's Day parade (with more than two million spectators) marches up 5th Ave. and passes many notable locations such as, St. Patrick's Cathedral & the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Irish American History.
Boston
Irish Heritage Walk: Anytime
Stroll the historic 20-site Irish Heritage Walk in Boston's most Irish neighborhoods. Maps are available at the Greater Boston CVB and at the Prudential Center.
Fourth Annual Gaelic Gourmet Gala: Saturday, March 14, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
A four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Ireland and Boston's best chefs as well as a performance by Celtic Thunder.
Southies' St. Patrick's Day Parade: Sunday, March 15, 1:00 p.m.
Boston has one of the longest-standing Irish traditions in the US and was the first city to hold a St. Patrick's Day parade (17 March 1737). With the estimated 850,000 in attendance, get to Broadway for a good view.
Leprechaun: Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 p.m.
One of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is with a special screening of one of the worst (and maybe only?) St. Patrick's Day movies.
Chicago
Dyeing the Chicago River: Saturday, March 14th, 10:45 a.m.
What first happened as a plumbing accident has turned into the unique Chicago tradition of dyeing the Chicago River emerald green. To see it, you must be east of Columbus or west of Lake Shore Drive.
The Downtown Parade: Saturday, March 14, noon
The biggest parade in Chicago with Irish step dancers, floats, bagpipe bands, and more.
The South Side Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
Though this parade started only 27 years ago with 17 children marching around the neighborhood, it has now grown to be the biggest neighborhood-based St. Patrick's Day Parade outside of Dublin. It hosts over 250,000 spectators each year and gives the best taste of Chicago's Irish culture.
San Francisco
The St. Patrick's Day Festival: Saturday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This festival showcases Irish culture with live bands, arts, and food and a full day's worth of activities for all members of the family.
The 158th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 14, 11:30 a.m.
San Francisco is home to one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day parades in the West. More than 5,000 participants come from all over the country to participate.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade: Tuesday, March 17, 10:15 a.m.
Surprisingly, one of the largest and most enthusiastic St. Patrick's Day celebrations can be found in Savannah. The parade has been running since 1825. Don't miss out on the customary festivities of dyeing the city's fountains green and eating green grits.
New London, Wisconsin
Monday, March 16
St. Patrick's week is magical in New London, Wisconsin (whose name is "mysteriously" changed by "leprechauns" to "New Dublin, Wisconsin" for the week).
New Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 21, 1:00 p.m.
Wisconsin's biggest St. Patrick's Day parade will commence with over 100 entries including floats, clowns, bagpipes, and marching bands.
Montreal, Canada
St. Patrick's Parade: Sunday, March 22, noon
This Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada is billed as the greatest event that Montreal has to offer. Montreal is so steeped in Irish culture that not only do they raise the flag of Ireland from Feb 17 to March 17, but the bottom right quadrant of their own flag features a shamrock. This is the longest-running St. Patrick's Day parade in Canada and has never stopped because of war or inclement weather.
Birmingham, England
Birmingham Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
This five-day festival is the biggest parade in Great Britain. This event has it all: an outdoor stage with live performances, the Emerald Village (a kid-friendly place with nearly 10 family events), and a two-mile parade route through the center of town.
London, England
St. Patrick's Day Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
London has an annual St. Patrick's Day parade starting at Piccadilly past Trafalgar Square (where the main St. Patrick's Day festivities will be) and ending at Whitehall Place.
The St. Patrick's Day Festival: March 15, noon
Trafalgar Square will be packed with authentic Irish crafts, food, and two stages with different Irish bands.
Auckland, New Zealand
Hugh Green Group's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 14, noon
Come to the festival that promises to be the most entertaining event in the southern hemisphere (it also promises to have Guinness flowing like the river Shannon, which is probably why things get so entertaining).
Anytown, USA
Tuesday, March 17, all day
Follow the recipe for a great St. Patrick's Day: wear green, avoid pinching, and drink your favorite green-colored beverage of choice.
Photo: the44mantis via Flickr, St. Patrick's Day Festival, and www.stpatrick.co.nz
Irish Heritage Walk: Anytime
Stroll the historic 20-site Irish Heritage Walk in Boston's most Irish neighborhoods. Maps are available at the Greater Boston CVB and at the Prudential Center.
Fourth Annual Gaelic Gourmet Gala: Saturday, March 14, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
A four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Ireland and Boston's best chefs as well as a performance by Celtic Thunder.
Southies' St. Patrick's Day Parade: Sunday, March 15, 1:00 p.m.
Boston has one of the longest-standing Irish traditions in the US and was the first city to hold a St. Patrick's Day parade (17 March 1737). With the estimated 850,000 in attendance, get to Broadway for a good view.
Leprechaun: Tuesday, March 17, 10:00 p.m.
One of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is with a special screening of one of the worst (and maybe only?) St. Patrick's Day movies.
Chicago
Dyeing the Chicago River: Saturday, March 14th, 10:45 a.m.
What first happened as a plumbing accident has turned into the unique Chicago tradition of dyeing the Chicago River emerald green. To see it, you must be east of Columbus or west of Lake Shore Drive.
The Downtown Parade: Saturday, March 14, noon
The biggest parade in Chicago with Irish step dancers, floats, bagpipe bands, and more.
The South Side Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
Though this parade started only 27 years ago with 17 children marching around the neighborhood, it has now grown to be the biggest neighborhood-based St. Patrick's Day Parade outside of Dublin. It hosts over 250,000 spectators each year and gives the best taste of Chicago's Irish culture.
San Francisco
The St. Patrick's Day Festival: Saturday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This festival showcases Irish culture with live bands, arts, and food and a full day's worth of activities for all members of the family.
The 158th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 14, 11:30 a.m.
San Francisco is home to one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day parades in the West. More than 5,000 participants come from all over the country to participate.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade: Tuesday, March 17, 10:15 a.m.
Surprisingly, one of the largest and most enthusiastic St. Patrick's Day celebrations can be found in Savannah. The parade has been running since 1825. Don't miss out on the customary festivities of dyeing the city's fountains green and eating green grits.
New London, Wisconsin
Monday, March 16
St. Patrick's week is magical in New London, Wisconsin (whose name is "mysteriously" changed by "leprechauns" to "New Dublin, Wisconsin" for the week).
New Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 21, 1:00 p.m.
Wisconsin's biggest St. Patrick's Day parade will commence with over 100 entries including floats, clowns, bagpipes, and marching bands.
Montreal, Canada
St. Patrick's Parade: Sunday, March 22, noon
This Saint Patrick's Day parade in Canada is billed as the greatest event that Montreal has to offer. Montreal is so steeped in Irish culture that not only do they raise the flag of Ireland from Feb 17 to March 17, but the bottom right quadrant of their own flag features a shamrock. This is the longest-running St. Patrick's Day parade in Canada and has never stopped because of war or inclement weather.
Birmingham, England
Birmingham Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
This five-day festival is the biggest parade in Great Britain. This event has it all: an outdoor stage with live performances, the Emerald Village (a kid-friendly place with nearly 10 family events), and a two-mile parade route through the center of town.
London, England
St. Patrick's Day Parade: Sunday, March 15, noon
London has an annual St. Patrick's Day parade starting at Piccadilly past Trafalgar Square (where the main St. Patrick's Day festivities will be) and ending at Whitehall Place.
The St. Patrick's Day Festival: March 15, noon
Trafalgar Square will be packed with authentic Irish crafts, food, and two stages with different Irish bands.
Auckland, New ZealandHugh Green Group's St. Patrick's Day Parade: Saturday, March 14, noon
Come to the festival that promises to be the most entertaining event in the southern hemisphere (it also promises to have Guinness flowing like the river Shannon, which is probably why things get so entertaining).
Anytown, USA
Tuesday, March 17, all day
Follow the recipe for a great St. Patrick's Day: wear green, avoid pinching, and drink your favorite green-colored beverage of choice.
Photo: the44mantis via Flickr, St. Patrick's Day Festival, and www.stpatrick.co.nz
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Maybe you haven't heard of all the celebrations for St. Patricks day in Southeastern Idaho. We paint all the snow green, color our hot chocolate green and wish to see some green on our lawns sometime in the near future. You're all missing out if you've never experienced this event. Come to Rexburg Idaho and we'll show you a good time!
Hi,
In Boston, correct link for the city's Irish Heritage Trail is www.irishheritagetrail.com.
Wisconsin's largest St Patrick's Day Parade is a part of a week of Irish events. These also include Irish dancers and musicians at the Grand Avenue Mall; Shamrock the Avenue on the night before the parade, with Irish bands; The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's Mass in Honor of St Patrick at St Patrick's church; the downtown Milwaukee parade, with 160 units and upwards to 130,000 watching; and the Post Parade Party, the largest St Patrick's day party under one roof, with four stages, six bands or performers, four dance schools, and a dedicated children's area.
The events are produced by the The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Wisconsin's oldest and largest Irish membership organization in Wisconsin.