15 Best Cities to Travel to For St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in the United States since before the country was founded. The very first celebrations of Irish and Irish American culture took place in the early 1600s. Today millions of people, with and without Irish heritage, celebrate the holiday with parties and great revelry. If you can’t make it to Ireland, here are the best 15 cities to travel to within the United States to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world, with festivities dating back to 1737. The highlight is a vibrant parade through South Boston, featuring Irish bands, dancers, bagpipers, and festive floats. Over half a million visitors join the fun and enjoy live Irish music, including performances by the legendary Dropkick Murphys.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is legendary, highlighted by the dyeing of the Chicago River a striking emerald green. Crowds gather early to witness the transformation before enjoying the lively parade from Balbo to Monroe Drive, featuring vibrant floats, bagpipers, and Irish step dancers. The city embraces the holiday spirit with green beer, flags, and festive energy everywhere.

San Diego, California

San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival offers festive fun in a beautiful climate. One of the city’s biggest events, it features a lively parade with antique cars, marching bands, bagpipers, and dancers. The celebration continues in Balboa Park with live entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, and a Kids Zone, all set on 80,000 square feet of green turf.

New York, New York

New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the world’s oldest and largest, dating back to 1762. With over 300,000 marchers and three million spectators, the parade moves up Fifth Avenue, passing St. Patrick’s Cathedral before ending at 86th Street. The celebration continues at countless Irish pubs throughout the city, keeping the festive spirit of the holiday alive.