St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for centuries in Ireland on 17 March, as a day of Irish heritage and culture, usually with parades, green clothes and Irish music and dance.
However, the day is also widely celebrated outside the Emerald Isle, in global cities like Chicago, New York, London and more.
From multi-day open-air festivals to street parties, green lighting installations and a vast range of Irish fare, these celebrations rival Dublin’s festivities, attracting thousands of people every year.
Below are some of the best European cities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in.
Dublin: The original St. Patrick’s Day destination with a world-famous parade
Dublin is the ultimate and most authentic St. Patrick’s Day destination in Europe, attracting a massive 500,000 visitors every year.
Its epic four-day festival from 14-17 March ends with a world-famous parade from Parnell Square to the city centre, where travellers can enjoy live music, creative floats, international marching bands, vibrant street parties and performances. There are also huge Irish traditional music sessions (céilí) to participate in.
Other St. Patrick’s Day activities include comedy, family-friendly treasure hunts, theatre, specialised workshops, city-wide art installations and more. Historic pubs in Dublin’s Temple Bar area and the city’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head, also hold their own celebrations.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy a pint with spectacular views from the rooftop Gravity Bar or explore South William Street and Smithfield for a breather away from the crowds. For more scenic views, visitors can take a stroll down the Dublin Coastal Trail.
Munich: Irish bagpipers, Bavarian beer culture and ‘Oktoberfest in Green’
Munich is another very popular destination for St. Patrick’s Day, hosting the biggest parade and festival in continental Europe, which takes place on the weekend closest to 17 March.
Going from Münchner Freiheit to Odeonsplatz, the parade has more than 1,500 participants and between 40,000 and 50,000 spectators every year. Enjoy a mix of Irish bagpipers, drummers and dancers, along with local food stalls, creating a huge dance party-like feel.
Munich’s citywide, multi-day celebration blends Irish traditions with Bavarian beer culture, often being described as “Oktoberfest in Green”, or a spring version of the iconic beer festival, offering a distinctive and memorable experience for travellers.
Travellers can soak in Irish music and dancing at pre-party celebrations and Irish pubs like Killian’s and Kennedy’s, while enjoying Bavaria’s love for hearty meals and social drinking. Munich’s Lord Mayor, Dieter Reiter, also joins in the celebrations, as festival patron, sometimes performing on stage with his band.
Key landmarks like the Olympic Tower, Allianz Arena and the City Hall also feature green light installations for a more festive feel.
For those who want a more traditional celebration, a Mass and concert happens on Saturday evening in the Lundwigskirche.
London: Royal traditions, Irish pubs and an iconic parade
London also hosts one of the biggest European St. Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Dublin, mainly due to its significant, multi-generational Irish community of more than 170,000.
This includes a huge parade from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, with major landmarks like the London Eye, Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square fountains turning green.
Enjoy the festive atmosphere in The Dublin Castle in Camden, or visit one of the city’s numerous Irish-themed events, at pubs like The Sun Tavern.
American sitcom lovers can visit The Windmill, another famous pub which turns into Paddy’s Pub from “It’s always sunny in Philadelphia”, for St. Patrick’s Day.
Fans of royal ceremonies can also see the Royal Family presenting shamrocks to the Irish Guards, a tradition carried out almost every year.
Looking for something a little more active than drinking too much Guinness? Join a St. Patrick’s Day walking tour, starting at Parliament Square, all the way through the theatre district, and ending at Soho.
Prague: Guinness pop-ups, gala dinners and Celtic Czech traditions
If you’re looking for a more offbeat St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Prague might be up your alley, highlighting the city’s deep Celtic roots.
With a large expatriate community and several authentic pubs, St. Patrick’s Day in Prague is usually a week-long, city-wide celebration blending Irish traditions with Czech beer culture.
Join the parade, which takes place on Sunday, from the intersection of the Jindřišská Street and Wenceslas Square, with an electric atmosphere and plenty of Irish music and dancing.
The lively Holešovická tržnice marketplace also turns into a Guinness pop-up for St. Patrick’s Day, with beer, Irish whiskey, a variety of food and music.
Travellers looking for something a little more upscale can attend the charity CIBCA St. Patrick’s Day Gala Dinner, which takes place at the MÁNES Art Restaurant, with several courses. The donations are used to support domestic violence victims.
For a traditional Irish pub experience, head to Prague’s oldest Irish pub, the James Joyce, with a number of activities throughout the day, or partake in a Whiskey Weekend at Gabby’s Irish Pub.
Several Prague landmarks like the Petřin Tower and the Dancing House are lit in green as well.
Padua: Italian twist on Irish culture with a backdrop of ancient history
Padua, or Padova, in Italy offers another unique St. Patrick’s Day celebration, with its iconic “Irlanda in Festa”. This is one of Europe’s biggest multi-day Irish festivals, despite the city not traditionally having a large Irish population.
Taking place at the end of March, the celebration brings more than 25,000 people to the university city. Enjoy Irish-themed ciders, beers and whiskey, along with pubs with traditional food and live Irish music.
Travellers can soak in a unique blend of Italian and Irish culture during this week, strolling around the 800-year old market under the Palazzo della Regione or historic squares like Prato della Valle.
Visit the University of Padua or the Basilica of Saint Anthony, for deeper immersion into Padua’s history and religious roots, or enjoy a Spritz at Pedrocchi Cafe for a local twist on Irish culture.
Paris: Centuries old connection to St. Patrick’s Day and themed pub crawls
Paris is another great alternative to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day, offering a 1,500-year old historical connection to the saint, who was believed to have studied in Gaul (modern France).
Celebrations are mainly centred around historic Irish pubs and the Centre Culturel Irlandais. Landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Cœur are decked up in green lights for a “City of Light” party that combines French flair and authentic Irish tradition.
Travellers can enjoy traditional dance, family events, concerts, live music and storytelling at the Centre Culturel Irlandais’ multi-day festival.
Drop into one of the many Irish pubs like The Green Linnet, Hide Pub or Corcoran’s for some Guinness or join a themed pub crawl, usually starting near Bastille, with themed drinks and costumes.