Top 5 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in America

Despite your actual heritage, St. Patrick’s Day always turns people a little green during the month of March. What is considered by many to be one of the country’s biggest holidays, cities around the United States pull out all the stops to celebrate Irish heritage with parades, festivals, and plenty of Irish dancing and jigs.

Rest assured, if you can’t actually make it to Ireland this year, there are plenty of other great St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations you can attend without requiring a passport. Whether you’re interested in the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the best places to visit in March, or simply last minute travel plans, you can’t go wrong with these top five cities!

1. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston has a rich history of Irish settlers making the city their home, and still today they have the highest percentage of people of Irish descent according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city hosts the third-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country right in South Boston, screens movies at their Irish film festival, and presents a six-day concert series featuring the famed Celtic punk band The Dropkick Murphy’s. Irish pubs are plentiful in the city; places such as the Druid, Plough and Stars, Doyle’s Cafe, and more will be serving Irish delicacies like corned beef and bangers and mash, along with Irish whiskeys and Guinness beers.

2. New York, New York

Of course, the country’s largest city also hosts the country’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. NYC features a parade that runs a mile and a half long, perfect for families to enjoy the merriment of the holiday if you can find a good spot. If you’re looking for something a little more authentic, check out the Irish Arts Center’s Annual St. Patrick’s Open Day, which offers tin whistle and tap dancing lessons, face painting, and chance to play Gaelic football with Manhattan Gaels.

3. Chicago, Illinois

You’ve surely heard about the Chicago River turning green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, but there’s nothing like seeing it in real life to get a sense of the amazement the scene provides. The festivities usually start several days in advance and continues for a full week, featuring traditional Irish music (or “trad”) at multiple venues around the city. Chicago also hosts St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the Symphony Center, the Irish American Heritage Center, and will host the 42nd anniversary celebration of Forever Green 72 at the Young Fellowship Center. Don’t forget to catch the parade, where an estimated one million spectators will catch the marching bands, street performers, and a Parade Queen and Court!

4. Savannah, Georgia

We know what you’re thinking: Savannah doesn’t exactly seem like a place that would host one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world. But hey, that’s why we’re here to inform you! Over 300,000 people travel to Savannah for the city’s renowned parade and festivities including vendors, live musical performances, and the Tara Feis Irish Celebration with crafts, storytellers and all kinds of artists. It’s also tradition for the city to dye the water in the Forsyth Park’s fountain green in honor of the Celtic holiday. Now consider that all of this is happening in warm, gorgeous 70 degree weather and you’ve got yourself a vacation plan for one of the best places to visit in March.

5. Hot Springs, Arkansas

The last destination on our list is also an underrated city for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, but offers some unique events related to the holiday. You’ll see interesting spins on old classics such as Irish Elvis impersonators, a kissing contest with the Arkansas Blarney Stone, and the world’s largest inflatable leprechaun. Hot Springs features their annual “World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which runs only 98 feet down Bridge Street. Guests hosting the event include Grand Marshal Alfonso Ribeiro, Official Parade Starter Ric Flair, and a live performance by Uncle Kracker.

Are you bleeding green? March is the perfect time for a vacation, and these great holiday celebrations give you all the excuse in the world to travel. Best of all, ResortRentals.com has resort deals available right now for last minute travel plans. Find the closest property to any of these wonderful St. Patrick’s celebrations and honor the wonderful Irish heritage the right way this year!

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