Outside of Ireland of course, the best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is in a host of cities throughout North America. More than 10% of the population of Canada and the United States have ancestral roots on the Emerald Isle, though the display of Irish pride in many places would lead you to believe the percentage is far larger than that.
Suffice it to say, March 17 is a very big deal, from Chicago to Boston, New York to Montreal. Raucous and festive celebrations in these cities and others prove that for one day at least, everyone is Irish. While St. Patrick’s Day may only be a national holiday in Ireland, millions of people in North America party as hard as their brethren across the pond.
With that in mind, here are some notable St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations in North America.
The Twin City of Saint Paul has a long relationship with St. Patrick’s Day that dates back to 1851. The capital city of Minnesota celebrates with a big parade and many events throughout downtown Saint Paul.
Best Irish Pubs in Saint Paul: The Liffey, Patrick McGovern’s, O’Gara’s
Though not the first city that comes to mind for St. Patrick’s revelry, Savannah, Georgia’s ties to Ireland are strong. The city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a big deal, with over 400,000 people expected to attend the 185th edition in 2009.
Best Irish Pubs in Savannah: Murphy’s Law, Kevin Barry’s, Shamrock’s
Downtown Chicago is a marvelous place to be the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. The city’s parade on Columbus Drive is a massive affair and the green transformation of the Chicago River is always a lot of fun to watch. The South Side Irish community of the city also holds a great parade every St. Patrick’s Day as well.
Best Irish Pubs in Chicago: The Irish Oak, Mystic Celt, Abbey Pub
The United Irish Societies of San Francisco put together some wonderful events every St. Patrick’s Day that culminates with a grand parade and festival every March 17. The parade runs on Market Street to Civic Center Plaza and the festival features arts and crafts, traditional music and food and beverages.
Best Irish Pubs in San Francisco: Kelley’s Tavern, Monaghan’s, Johnny Foley’s
As Canada’s most populous city, Toronto has many citizens with Irish roots. The city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade however, has only been around for 22 years. The event takes place the Sunday before March 17 and winds down three of the best streets in Toronto: Bloor, Yonge and Queen, where it ultimately stops at scenic Nathan Phillips Square.
Best Irish Pubs in Toronto: Dora Keogh, McVeigh’s New Windsor Tavern, The Irish Embassy
Seattle, the Emerald City, has a strong Irish community and a strong partnership with the city of Galway. Every year on March 17, Seattle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place at 4th Avenue and Jefferson, to Westlake Park and the Seattle Center.
Best Irish Pubs in Seattle: The Blarney Stone, Old Pequliar, Molly Maguire’s
Like the rest of the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the state of Pennsylvania was a desirable destination for scores of Irish immigrants. From Scranton to Pittsburgh, Allentown to Harrisburg, St. Patrick’s Day is a festive time. As the great metropolis of the state however, Philadelphia is the place to be on March 17.
Best Irish Pubs in Philadelphia: Black Sheep, Fergie’s, Dark Horse
Montreal’s Irish community puts on one of the most historic St. Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Ireland every year. The city has held a parade since 1824 and despite cold temperatures in March, the event is one of the most popular among festival-mad Montrealers.
Best Irish Pubs in Montreal: McKibbin’s, Hurley’s, Honey Martin
No city puts on a parade like New York City. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in the Big Apple since 1762 and the parade held on 5th Avenue every March 17 is the world’s largest. Great views of the spectacle can be had from the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Best Irish Pubs in New York City: McSorley’s Old Ale House, Paddy McGuire’s Ale House, Doc Watson’s
Boston’s roots are steeped in Ireland and more than any other city in North America, Beantown celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with enthusiastic vigor. Celebrations have been held in the Massachusetts metropolis since 1737 and every year South Boston explodes with revelry and of course, a terrific parade. Myriad events are held in and around the city to mark the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day.
Best Irish Pubs in Boston: The Burren, Black Rose, Doyle’s Cafe
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