Fun-Filled Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
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St. Patrick’s Day is coming up on March 17, so you best get ready to celebrate! There's no need to be Irish to get in on the fun either. Here we give you 18 fun-filled St. Patrick's Day traditions to best celebrate this year, with many options of what to do to create your new family traditions for the day.
Though the holiday started in Ireland, it's been imported by Irish immigrants, and you can find pub crawls, parades, and more around the United States. Perhaps most notably, there are green drinks and St. Patrick’s Day foods from Guinness Beef stew to Irish coffee drinks that will make for a festive celebration, and you can also add in some St. Patrick’s day crafts for the the kids or crafty kids-at-heart. And don't forget the kissing tradition tied to one of the holiday's most memorable phrases and the mascot for the holiday, the leprechaun. All of these St. Patty's Day traditions are deeply rooted in Irish culture, symbols, and meanings, and they're tied to the Catholic saint himself, of course.
Now time for those traditions so you can get to planning yours for this year!
Search for Four-Leaf Clovers
Long considered a Celtic token of good luck, these rare pieces of greenery are the ultimate needle in a haystack. If the grassy surrounds have turned green where you live, spend some time searching for a token of your own.
Related: Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers Considered Lucky?
Nosh on Irish Potatoes
This unique Philadelphia-born St. Patrick’s Day tradition isn’t a potato at all—it’s a candy! The sweet coconut truffle is covered in cinnamon to resemble dirt from the ground.
Bake Festive Desserts
Whether it's shamrock-shaped cookies, green cupcakes, or boozy St. Patrick's Day desserts, satisfy your sweet tooth this St. Paddy's Day with a selection of sweet, festive treats.
Drink a Green Beer
Raise a pint of your favorite Irish brew or get in the spirit with a green beer. You can even make it at home with our simple instructions.
Make St. Patrick's Day Crafts
For a fun-filled afternoon with your kids, plan a crafty St. Patrick's Day. Put together one (or a few!) of the many St. Patrick's Day crafts to make some lasting memories with your family this March 17.
Have an Irish Movie Marathon
Queue up some of the best flicks to come out of the Emerald Isle, such as the musical movie Once. You could also watch films that center around Irish characters and themes, such as the 2015 drama Brooklyn or fan-favorite Sing Street.
Stay Sober
You could join the sober St. Patrick's Day movement and take part in one of the many events thrown around the country that aim to celebrate Irish culture and St. Patrick's legacy. You might listen to traditional instruments like the fiddle and accordion, watch Irish dancing, and more.
Participate in a Fun Run
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to sweat before your big St. Patrick's Day party with a festive fun run. There are several races around the country you can participate in that allow for some friendly competition and charitable donations before the day's festivities.
Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage
You haven't celebrated like the Irish if you don't devour a plate that looks like this. A classic dish of Ireland, corned beef and cabbage is hearty and delicious.
Watch Irish Stepdancers
A treat on St. Patrick's Day is to catch Irish stepdancers as they glide, leap, and jump across the floor. Many parades or festivals are sure to have performances.
Wear a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" Shirt
This phrase is always uttered on St. Patrick's Day, whether you're Irish or not. Its origins are said to come from the Blarney Stone, which people kiss for good luck.
See a Landmark Shrouded in Green
Most famously, the Chicago River is dyed green every year for St. Patrick's Day. But there are other emerald landmarks you can see, like the Empire State Building, Irish Parliament building, and Sydney Opera house, which are all lit up green. Even Niagara Falls gets doused for a verdant glow.
Attend Mass
If you're religious, you might find a special service for St. Patrick on March 17. In Ireland, the day is actually a holy day of obligation, meaning that church-goers are expected to attend mass.
Listen to Irish Music
No, you don't have to listen to bagpipes to check this off the list. Think more along the lines of U2, Flogging Molly, or the Cranberries. Listening to Irish folk music is also a great St. Patrick's Day tradition if there are any live performances nearby, preferably at a bar (er, pub). You'll feel like you're right at Dublin's Temple Bar.
Related: Best Irish Songs for Your St. Patrick's Day Soundtrack
Make Irish Soda Bread
It turns out that the Irish loaf is actually one of the easiest types of bread to make, as it uses baking soda instead of yeast and doesn't need time for rising. Serve it with a hearty spread of Irish butter.
Say 'Erin go Bragh'
The Gaelic phrase is best translated as "Ireland Forever" in English, and is basically a way of showing affection and support for the country. You can also incorporate some other Irish terms during the day, like saying "sláinte" when you cheers.
Go to a Parade
You'll get in the St. Paddy's Day spirit right away by attending a festive, cheerful St. Patrick's Day parade. Celebrating the day with parades happens around the world, including in the U.S., Ireland, Australia, Russia, and more.
Have a Pint of Guinness
The thick, rich Irish dry stout is a must-have on St. Patrick's Day. It's estimated that nearly 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St. Patrick's Day across the world.
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