How America Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day Across the Nation

For some, it’s akin to a religious holiday, but for most of us, it’s just a great excuse to kick back in good cheer and drink a few green beers. For those in the know, it’s clear that not all cities create their celebrations equally. With that in mind, we’ve assembled a handy list of the best parties from coast to coast. 1. BOSTON, MA http://www.southbostonparade.org/ With a famously large Irish population (pegged at 15.8%), Beantown takes the cake for some of the finest revelries you’ll find this side of The Pond. The South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is known as one of the largest in the country, earning that pedigree since being founded in 1737(!). As an added bonus, you can be sure there is no shortage of epic Irish bars to pop into along the way. 2. CHICAGO, IL http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/ If there’s one thing better than green beer, it’s witnessing the dying of the iconic Chicago River the same color. Using 40 pounds of organic green vegetable dye, the city’s iconic waterway becomes a magnet for revelers from around the world. Every year, an estimated 400,000-plus people take to the streets (and the bars). 3. ST. LOUIS, MO http://www.stlhibernians.com/ Hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the city’s main St. Patrick’s Day parade is often billed as one of the best on either side of the Mississippi. Weaving through Dog Town, the city’s Irish neighborhood, partiers can catch glimpses of the iconic St. Louis Arch as they pass from pub to pub.

4. PHILADELPHIA, PA http://erinexpress.com/ Founded in 1771, Philly throws one helluva parade. But for those who want a truly local experience, you can’t beat the Erin Express, a more-than-20-stop bar crawl that’s a veritable bible of the city’s best bars. Plus, in keeping with the city’s spirit of brotherly love, transportation from stop to stop is provided free, so there will never be a man left behind. 5. SAN FRANCISCO, CA http://www.sresproductions.com/events/st-patricks-day-festival/ Host of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the state, SF holds its own despite being nearly 5,000 miles from the homeland. Carving its way along the famed Market Street, the parade ends in a local park, where revelers can enjoy music, food and, of course, a pint or two of the black stuff. 6. ERIN, TN http://www.musiccitymiataclub.com/mar-17–50th-annual-erin-st-pat-s-day-parade.htm St. Patrick’s Day may formally fall on March 17th, but don’t tell that to the residents of Erin, Tennessee, who host a weeklong event that brings revelers from around the world. On top of a parade the day of, you can take part in events like the Shamrock Showdown, Leprechaun Parade and even a demolition derby.

7. NEW YORK, NY http://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/ Of course, the Big Apple would host a big parade. In fact, NYC’s St. Patty’s Day parade is the largest in the world, eclipsing anything in the homeland. With an average of 250,000 people marching through the streets of New York, it’s been one of the city’s most popular parades since it was first introduced in 1762. 8. SAVANNAH, GA http://savannahsaintpatricksday.com/ This one may come as a surprise, but the genteel city of Savannah, Georgia, lets its hair down each and every March 17th. Occurring since 1813, the parade is known for hosting in excess of 400,000 people as its three-hour parade winds through the city’s iconic historic district. 9. PHOENIX, AZ http://stpatricksdayphoenix.org/ With close proximity to two of the most notorious party schools in the country, it’s no surprise that Phoenix holds its own when it comes to downing a fair share of green beer. The main event is the city’s parade and fair, which features a variety of Celtic performances, food and art — not to mention what has to be the best St. Patrick’s Day weather in the country.

10. DALLAS, TX http://www.dallasstpatricksparade.com/ Basically, one big block party, the annual Greenville Avenue Parade finds streets closed off to all traffic so partiers can roam with abandon. Having hosted past acts like Snoop Dogg and Ludacris, the parade has taken a more traditional route in recent years, with Celtic-inspired musical guests making up the bill. If you’d rather celebrate at home with a few friends, here is a quick and easy DIY St. Patrick’s Day decoration idea. Source List: https://en.wikipedia.org http://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/about.html https://flic.kr/p/8UpTUD