The Most Traveled and Best Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations in the United States

Every March, cities across the United States come alive with emerald-green colors, lively music, historic parades, and celebrations that honor the spirit of Ireland. While Saint Patrick’s Day began as a religious feast, it evolved into a global celebration of Irish heritage — and few nations embrace it with as much enthusiasm as the United States. From century-old parades to waterfront festivals, from bagpipes and step dancing to green-tinted rivers, these celebrations draw millions of visitors each year. Below are the most traveled and most beloved Saint Patrick’s Day experiences in America, each offering its own blend of tradition, spectacle, and unforgettable charm.

Chicago, Illinois

 

Chicago hosts one of the most iconic and widely attended Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country. The city’s traditions date back to the 1840s, but what truly sets Chicago apart is its legendary green river. Every year, the Chicago River is dyed a brilliant emerald shade — a spectacle watched by tens of thousands along its bridges and riverwalks. The city’s massive Saint Patrick’s Day Parade features floats, pipe bands, Irish dancers, firefighters, cultural clubs, and political leaders marching through downtown. Neighborhoods such as Beverly, Jefferson Park, and the North Side also host their own parades, making the celebration citywide. Bars, breweries, and restaurants join in with Irish breakfasts, live music, and festive gatherings that continue long after the parade ends.

New York City, New York

 

The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest in the world, dating back to 1762 — fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence. Stretching up Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the parade features more than 150,000 participants, including marching bands, cultural associations, military units, and countless Irish-American organizations. More than two million spectators line the streets to witness the procession. The scale, heritage, and historic character of this event make it the definitive Saint Patrick’s celebration in the United States. After the parade, visitors flock to the city’s iconic Irish pubs, cultural centers, and live-music venues for festivities that last well into the night.

Boston, Massachusetts

 

Boston has one of the strongest Irish identities in America — nearly one in five residents claims Irish heritage — and its Saint Patrick’s Day celebration reflects that deep cultural connection. The annual parade in South Boston, known simply as “Southie,” is one of the nation’s most spirited events. First held in 1737, it predates even the New York parade and is woven into the fabric of the city’s identity. The parade features elaborate floats, musical units, Irish heritage groups, and military honor guards. Beyond the parade, Boston hosts Irish step-dancing performances, Celtic concerts, traditional meals, and pub celebrations in neighborhoods like Back Bay, Cambridge, and Dorchester, offering travelers an immersive and distinctly Bostonian Irish experience.

Savannah, Georgia

 

Savannah boasts one of the largest Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in the South — and the entire country. The city’s historic squares, moss-draped oaks, and riverfront promenades create a beautiful backdrop for one of the nation’s longest parades, drawing more than half a million visitors each year. A full week of festivities surrounds the parade, including concerts, Irish heritage ceremonies, a formal greening of the city fountains, and lively street festivals along River Street and City Market. The charm of Savannah’s historic district combined with its warm southern hospitality makes this one of the most atmospheric and enjoyable Saint Patrick’s Day experiences in the United States.

New Orleans, Louisiana

 

New Orleans brings its signature flair to Saint Patrick’s Day — a fusion of Irish heritage, Creole culture, and the city’s legendary parade traditions. Multiple parades take place throughout the city, including the famous Irish Channel Parade, where marchers hand out flowers, beads, and even produce like cabbages and carrots for traditional Irish stew. Block parties, neighborhood celebrations, and pub crawls fill the city with music, dancing, and infectious energy. For travelers seeking a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration that feels like a festival in its own right, New Orleans delivers a uniquely joyful and spirited experience.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Philadelphia’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the oldest continuous parades in the United States, with roots dating back to 1771. The celebration honors the city’s deep Irish history, highlighting fraternal organizations, heritage clubs, marching bands, dancers, and local schools. Visitors can explore the city’s rich Irish-American culture through pub events, concerts, museum programs, and gatherings at historic sites such as the Irish Memorial at Penn’s Landing. Philadelphia’s warm community atmosphere makes it a welcoming destination for travelers looking for tradition and authenticity.

San Francisco, California

 

San Francisco’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the largest and most significant Irish celebration on the West Coast. Drawing crowds from across California and beyond, the parade showcases Irish dance companies, bagpipe bands, cultural groups, and civic organizations marching through the city’s downtown. The accompanying festival at Civic Center Plaza offers food, crafts, live entertainment, and educational exhibits celebrating Irish history. San Francisco’s diverse Irish-American community and its long-standing commitment to preserving cultural traditions make this celebration one of the most impressive in the western United States.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

 

 

Hot Springs hosts one of the most unique Saint Patrick’s Day events in the country: the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Taking place on Bridge Street, one of the shortest streets in the world, this quirky celebration draws thousands of visitors for a parade that lasts only minutes — but is filled with humor, costumes, celebrity grand marshals, and lively performances. The entire town joins in the festivities with concerts, green-themed events, and community gatherings. Its playful spirit and fun-loving atmosphere make Hot Springs a standout destination for travelers seeking something different.

Butte, Montana

 

 

Known for its strong Irish mining heritage, Butte hosts one of the most spirited Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Rocky Mountain region. The parade winds through the city’s historic district, and the streets fill with families, students, musicians, and performers. Traditional music sessions, pub gatherings, and cultural events highlight Butte’s unique identity as a place where Irish roots run deep. For travelers seeking a smaller but authentically Irish-American celebration, Butte offers a warm, community-driven experience.

A Nation Painted Green

Whether you are drawn to the centuries-old parades of the East Coast, the cultural vibrancy of the Midwest, the Southern charm of riverfront celebrations, or the creativity of quirky small-town festivals, the United States offers countless ways to experience Saint Patrick’s Day. These celebrations are more than parades — they are expressions of heritage, community, and joyful connection. Each destination brings its own personality to the holiday, inviting travelers to step into a sea of green, embrace the music and traditions of Ireland, and join in festivities that unite millions in one shared celebration.