Over 50 Ideas to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Loved Ones

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more

People will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this weekend and on March 17th. If you’ve got nothing planned, there’s still time for you to celebrate it in style with friends and loved ones.

U.S. Parades

Over the weekend, there are many parades throughout the U.S. celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. I believe this is one of the best ways to celebrate. All the planning is taken care of, and you’ll be able to enjoy the festivities with thousands of other people.

Here is a selection of parades. Some have been held since the mid-1700s and 1800s, and some have really unique traditions. However, this selection barely scratches the surface. So, have a look in your local area or state this weekend to see what’s going on.

Boston, Massachusetts
New York City Parade (One of Many in NYC)
Chicago, Illinois (Famous Green River)
Kansas City, Missouri (Snake Saturday)
Atlanta, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cincinnati, Ohio
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Popular Parade)
Scranton, Pennsylvania (Popular Parade)
Holyoke, Massachusetts (Popular Parade)
Hot Springs, Arkansas (Elvis Impersonators)
Enterprise, Alabama (World’s Smallest Parade)
New Orleans, Louisiana (Irish Stew Parade)
Morristown, New Jersey
New Haven, Connecticut
Cleveland, Ohio

Food Ideas

If you want to host or go and try some dishes from Ireland, here are some great Irish food options.

Bake Soda Bread
Make Irish Stew
Go for a Traditional Irish Breakfast
Make Boxty with Bacon and Sour Cream
Make Shepherd’s Pie
Make Colcannon and Sausages
Host a Smoked Salmon-Themed Brunch
Have Irish Coffee and Cheesecake
Bake Shamrock-Shaped Cookies

With Friends

These ideas are great to do with your friends. Drop a message in your group chat and get something planned.

See an Irish Band in Concert
Go to a Rooftop Party
Go to an Irish Bar
Sign up for a Shamrock Run
Go to a Punk Rock Party
Go on a Road Trip with an Irish Playlist
Watch an Irish Folk Music Performance
Go to a Poetry or Limerick Reading

With Family

If you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the whole family, this is the section for you. There are some great ideas to experience some Irish culture, and other activities that a big family group could do together.

Go Irish Caroling
Take an Irish Step Dancing Class
Have a Picnic in a Park
Watch a Bagpipe Performance
Visit an Irish Cultural Center
Go to a Baseball Game
Go on a Photography Walk
Host a Casual Neighborhood Get-Together
Make Four-Leaf Clover Headbands

At Home

If you can’t get to a parade or event, why not bring the festivities to your own house? Here are some great party and activity ideas you could do with friends and family.

Host an Irish Potluck Party
Have an Irish Movie Night
Have a Karaoke Night
Have a Backyard Grill
Have a Homemade Craft Day
Have a Green-Themed Costume Party
Have a Tea Party
Set Up an At-Home Photo Booth
Late-Night Stargazing and Storytelling

You can get this full list as a PDF here. You could even make it an annual tradition to try a different activity. Remember to photograph and scrapbook all those great memories, and let me know your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day below!