When is St. Patrick's Day? Here's the scoop on this festive Irish holiday.
When Is St. Patrick’s Day, and Why Do We Celebrate It?
Updated on Feb. 19, 2025
St. Patrick’s Day traditions typically don’t include a dive into the history of the holiday. But hear us out: Learning about the holiday makes celebrating it even more meaningful. When is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated around the world, and why is March 17 the big day? We’ve got the answer!
Grab a Guinness and settle in for a story. Ahead, we’re taking you through the history of St. Patrick’s Day, from its origins to the modern celebrations. Plus, we’ll cover what to expect on the day, so if you’re curious about business hours and public transportation, you’ve come to the right place.
Before you throw on your green attire and queue up your favorite Irish movies, take a moment to appreciate the rich history behind this beloved holiday.
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What is St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day marks the festive celebration of St. Patrick, the beloved patron saint of Ireland. Initially, the holiday was all about religious observances, but over time, it evolved into a secular tribute to Irish culture, especially after Irish immigrants brought their celebrations to the United States. This happened as early as 1762, which also marked the first year of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City.
When is St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Paddy’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in the fifth century—but more on that later. It’s worth noting that St. Patrick’s Day always falls on the 17th, meaning the actual day of the week changes each year.
For instance, St. Patrick’s Day was on a Sunday in 2024, and it falls on a Monday this year. While St. Patrick’s Day is officially observed on the 17th, celebrations may not be limited to this day.
Is St. Patrick’s Day a federal holiday?
St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States, so schools and businesses will still be open as usual. (Sorry, kids!) That said, it’s still widely observed throughout the country as a celebration of Irish culture.
In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, so schools and offices shut down for a day of celebration.
What is the origin of St. Patrick’s Day?
Records show that the people of Ireland have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day since the ninth or tenth century, observing it as a Roman Catholic feast to commemorate the life of St. Patrick on the anniversary of his death, March 17.
But the holiday has a long history in America too. The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade actually took place here in 1601. As the Irish population in America grew, so did the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Since St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent, the Irish would typically attend church in the morning and then celebrate the holiday in the afternoon. The sacrifices made during Lent were renounced during this time so people could eat, drink and dance.
Who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, best known for bringing Christianity to the land during the fifth century. He was born in Roman Britain and was kidnapped at the age of 16 to be brought to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he used those challenging years to discover his Christian faith before returning to Ireland to bring Christianity to its people.
Legends surrounding St. Patrick’s death grew as time went on, and his life became more embedded in Irish culture. In the most well-known tale, St. Patrick explained the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit using a shamrock with three leaves.
What are the symbols of St. Patrick’s Day?
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, the shamrock is probably one of the first symbols that comes to mind. But don’t confuse it with a four-leaf clover!
A shamrock is a three-leaf clover, traditionally associated with Ireland and St. Patrick himself. A four-leaf clover, on the other hand, is a rare variation with an extra leaf—often considered a symbol of good luck.
While both are connected to Irish culture, only the three-leaf shamrock is the true emblem of St. Patrick’s Day.
How can you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
As the saying goes, everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day—so let the bountiful activities begin! From sharing St. Patrick’s Day quotes to telling a good ol’ St. Patrick’s Day joke, there are various activities that are perfect for your St. Paddy’s celebration.
Attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade
A fun and family-friendly way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2024 is to attend a local parade. If you live in the New York area, you have likely heard of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s the oldest civilian parade in history and the largest in the United States, with more than 150,000 attendees.
You also may have heard of the annual celebration in Chicago, when the Chicago River is dyed green, or any of the smaller parades in Boston, Savannah and Philadelphia. Check your local news to see where the closest parade is to you.
Wear green
If large crowds aren’t your thing, there are plenty of ways to keep your St. Patrick’s Day low-key, like wearing green on the 17th. Put on a green sweater, T-shirt or hat to show your festive spirit. If green isn’t your color, no worries—you could sport other St. Patrick’s Day colors instead.
Throw a St. Patrick’s Day party
Gather with loved ones and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Emerald Isle style. Serve traditional Irish recipes for guests, like Irish Soda Bread or corned beef and cabbage. For dessert, bake something yummy and festive, like leprechaun cookies. And don’t forget to go all out with St. Patrick’s Day decorations by decking out your home in DIY four-leaf clovers and shamrocks!
Learn about Irish culture and history
The Irish have a rich culture and history that developed over thousands of years. Learn more on St. Patrick’s Day by reading books by Irish authors, watching a documentary, listening to a podcast or reading an article from a reputable historical source online. Knowing what—and who—made Ireland what it is today gives more context and appreciation to the holiday and culture.
Cook an Irish-themed dinner
What’s a lively celebration without a hearty (and delicious) meal? Fuel your St. Patrick’s Day festivities with delicious traditional Irish recipes like beef stew, shepherd’s pie and colcannon. Sláinte!
What’s open and closed on St. Patrick’s Day?
Good news: St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a federal holiday in the United States, so most businesses will be open as usual. And if you’re worried about getting around, don’t stress—public transportation will still be running on its regular schedule.
That said, if you’re in a major city like New York, New Orleans, Boston or Seattle, be prepared for some traffic disruptions. St. Patrick’s Day parades can bring road closures and detours, so plan ahead if you’re heading out to celebrate.
Additional reporting by Kelly Kuehn.
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Sources:
- Britannica: “St. Patrick’s Day”
- History.com: “History of St. Patrick’s Day”
- Almanac: “St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Who Was the Real St. Patrick?”
