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Biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world (Ranked)
Discover the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world, from New York’s record-breaking parade to cultural highlights in Ireland and Europe.
St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday in Ireland and has become one of the world’s most widely celebrated cultural events. Every March 17, cities mark the occasion with large parades in the United States and multi-day festivals across Europe, all centered on Irish heritage and tradition.
This guide highlights the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worldwide, focusing on where the events are largest and most visible.
If you’re traveling to join the celebration, you’ll also find tips on how to stay connected with a travel eSIM to follow event schedules and keep plans running smoothly.
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The largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world
Many countries celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but only a few host parades that stand out on a global scale.
Here you’ll find the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world, each famous for a different reason that sets them apart.
New York City, USA
New York City hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world, with millions lining Fifth Avenue every March 17. As you follow the route through Manhattan, you’ll see marching bands, bagpipers, and community groups moving entirely on foot, in keeping with the parade’s long-standing tradition.
If you’re visiting The Big Apple in March, getting an eSIM for New York helps you check parade times, follow route updates, and stay connected on the go. Additionally, a New York travel guide can give you local tips on how to plan your day better and where to go before and after the parade.
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin hosts the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Ireland, lasting several days and ranked as one of the country’s largest annual events. The celebration includes concerts, cultural performances, and public festivities spread across the city.
While the parade itself is smaller than New York’s, the festival carries deeper cultural significance, reflecting the holiday’s origins in Ireland.
Mid-March is one of the best times to visit Ireland, but it’s also the busiest. So it’s best to book your flight and hotel in advance and get an eSIM for Ireland to stay connected throughout your trip.
Chicago, USA
Chicago’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration starts with the Chicago River being dyed green. It’s one of the most photographed St. Patrick’s Day events in the United States, drawing global media attention to a full day of parades, river cruises, and local celebrations.
With multiple events happening across the city on March 17, an eSIM for Chicago helps you stay online to check schedules, find nearby events, and move around with less friction.
Boston, USA
Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is ranked among the largest in the USA, reflecting the city’s deep Irish-American roots. As one of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States, the focus of the Boston celebration is tradition, continuity, and local participation rather than large-scale production.
Mid-March is one of Boston’s busiest weekends, and events often overlap across different neighborhoods. Keeping your phone connected with an eSIM for Boston helps you check live updates and plan your route between stops.
Savannah, USA
Savannah hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the southeastern United States. The celebration feels bigger than the city itself and is rooted in its strong Catholic and Irish heritage, including parades, public gatherings, and all-day festivities.
If you plan to join the St. Patrick’s Day events in Savannah, expect packed streets, limited parking, and frequent road closures as crowds move between parade viewing areas and nearby gatherings.
San Francisco, USA
San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration blends Irish tradition with a distinctly West Coast style. It combines cultural performances, floats, and citywide festivities, creating a more relaxed but highly visible event.
Since events are spread out, you’ll likely move between neighborhoods rather than staying in one spot all day.
AN eSIM for San Francisco helps you get connected to check parade timings and navigate public transport as you plan your day around different festivities.
Is St. Patrick’s Day bigger in America or Ireland?
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on a larger scale in the United States, but with deeper cultural roots in Ireland. In America, the holiday is defined by massive parades, huge crowds, and high public visibility in major cities. In Ireland, celebrations are smaller but unfold over several days, with a stronger focus on history, culture, and local tradition.
Best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the USA
The best St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States depends on what you’re looking for as a traveler. Some cities offer first-time visitors large parades, while others focus on history and tradition and diverse city experiences.
Best for first-timers
If this is your first time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the US, New York City and Chicago are the best places to start. Both cities offer highly structured, well-publicized events that make it simple to know where to go and what to expect.
The scale, visibility, and clear scheduling would help you to experience the holiday without guesswork.
Best for history and tradition
Boston and Savannah offer some of the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States when it comes to history and tradition.
In recent years, both cities have also shifted toward more family-friendly celebrations, making them a good choice if tradition and local participation matter more to you than size.
Best for diverse city experiences
If you’re looking for a more diverse St. Patrick’s Day celebration, San Francisco offers a different experience.
The event attracts a multicultural crowd and combines Irish heritage with creative performances, floats, and citywide festivities that reflect the city’s inclusive culture.
Best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Europe (Outside Ireland)
Outside Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day in Europe is celebrated in cities where Irish heritage meets local culture, resulting in a mix of public events and social gatherings.
Here are the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Europe:
London, England
St. Patrick’s Day in London ranks among the largest celebrations in Europe, with major events drawing crowds across the city.
Backed by one of Europe’s largest Irish communities, London marks March 17 with live music, cultural events, and landmarks lighting up green, making the celebration feel citywide rather than limited to one area.
Visiting London for St. Patrick’s Day works well if you want a large, centrally located celebration that fits easily into a wider city trip.
Manchester & Liverpool, England
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Manchester and Liverpool focus on local heritage rather than large public festivals.
You’ll spend the day moving between pubs, live music venues, and community gatherings shaped by strong local traditions. This style of celebration works best if you’re looking for a social, music-led atmosphere that feels rooted in everyday city life.
Paris
Paris offers a more flexible way to experience St. Patrick’s Day, especially if you prefer smaller gatherings over large parades.
The celebration centers around Irish pubs and themed events, with live music and social gatherings spread across different neighborhoods.
The best thing to do in Paris on March 17 is to combine your St. Patrick’s Day plans with sightseeing, dining, and exploring the City of Love at your own pace.
Stay connected when celebrating St. Patrick’s Day abroad
Once you choose where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, staying connected becomes part of enjoying the experience fully.
Holafly’s international eSIM gives you unlimited high-speed data wherever you go, with daily and monthly plans at transparent prices and no roaming fees.
You can set it up with a QR code and enjoy a high-speed connection in less than 5 minutes.
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Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.
