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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festivities

By on March 3, 2013
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Do you look great in green? Even if it’s not your best color, you can still take part in St. Patrick’s Day festivities that celebrate the culture and traditions of the Emerald Isle. With parties, parades and other raucous happenings happening all over the world, travelers who want to add some Irish inspiration to their trip can head to one of these exciting destinations to enjoy the multitude of events planned:

Chicago
There are several sights in Chicago that will likely stick with you long after your trip is over, and the view of the Chicago River dyed bright green is certainly one of them. The city has tinted the waters since 1960, but its traditional parade has been marching down Windy City streets since 1843, gracing the area with floats, dancers, music and more.

Boston
Widely considered to be the best St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the U.S., the revelry that goes down in Boston is legendary. Yahoo reports that nearly one-quarter of the city’s residents are of Irish descent, and they have been honoring their ancestors for more than 300 years. Beantown hosted the holiday’s first ever parade in 1737 – beating even Dublin – and millions of people fill the streets, pubs and breweries to celebrate. 

New York City
The Big Apple hosts the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, with more than 2 million people lining the streets to watch bands, performers and floats go by. That’s only the main parade – each of New York City’s five boroughs also has their own smaller event, so visitors can celebrate their Irish heritage throughout the entire month of March.

Auckland
If you want to get out of the U.S., head to the New Zealand city for an adventure you’ll never forget. The annual St. Patrick’s Day festival brings many traditional aspects of the holiday, such as dancing, music and of course, beer, to the city. At the same time, a festival of Irish culture is taking place near Queen’s Wharf, so travelers can mix some educational performances and displays into their revelry.

Dublin
Travelers who want the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day experience can start planning their trips to Ireland, as a visit to this country at any time of year is sure to get you in the festive spirit. Places like the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin or the Jameson Distillery, nestled just outside of the city, give visitors an inside look at how the signature libations are created – not to mention it provides the perfect excuse to sample these delicious beverages.

The nation’s capital also hosts a four-day celebration each year, and globetrotters travel from all parts of the world to participate in the parades and parties that occur through the festival. Craft beer villages, live performances, walking tours and many other events are scheduled for the March holiday, so there is never a dull moment for visitors who venture out from their top-notch hotels.