St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in 2025 and makes for a wonderful time to travel to some of the biggest hubs of fabulous celebrations!

A day that honors St. Patrick of Ireland, the country’s patron saint who brought Christianity there, it has become a mega festival comprising stunning parades, several events, delicious grub and brew at local pubs, music, and lively community vibes. 

People wear green on the day and showcase their Irish heritage on the day, while people enjoy traditional feasts and local beers like Guinness. Sounds interesting? If you’ve been looking for a fun-filled break anytime soon, then it’s time to plan your festive trip early and just in time for the celebrations! 

Here’s looking at some of the best cities where you can book your holiday to enjoy the true spirit of the festival. 

Where Can You Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day 2025? 

A fun fact about Saint Patrick’s Day is that the shamrock used to symbolize spring and freedom while being used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to the Celts. The original color was also blue for the festival, although the Irish green has now taken over! There are many such interesting nuances which add to the allure of the festival. But where can you celebrate it? 

Some of the top choices include New York City (NYC), London, Chicago, and the Irish capital of Dublin. These are places where you can expect vibrant celebrations with plenty of events lined up and sizable crowds along with authentic cultural traditions on offer. So, without wasting any more time, let’s look at the amazing St. Patrick’s Day activities and events in these cities. 

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in New York (March 17, 2025)

The New York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the biggest such parade in the U.S. and is the world’s oldest and biggest parade as well! Attending this is a big deal, with the event dating back to 1762 and you’ll love how Midtown Manhattan completely transforms its stripes with revelers wearing the traditional green and thousands of spectators gathering to cheer on the participants.

The parade for 2025 is slated to begin at 11 AM on the 17th of March, 2025 (Monday) and will end at approximately 4.30 PM. 

You’ll get the best views of the celebrations from Fifth Avenue but make sure you reach as early as possible. For grandstand seats, you’ll have to send an appeal to the parade committee. The route map starts from 44th Street and all across Fifth Avenue, past the St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 50th Street till 79th Street.

This year’s grand marshal is Michael A. Benn and 150,000+ marchers are expected to participate, including several Gaelic societies, pipe bands, firefighters, veterans, and more. If you’re looking for a refreshing sip and bite midway through the celebrations, then you’ll find several vendors and eateries along 6th Avenue nearby. 

If you want to reach the venue early, staying in Midtown Manhattan is the best bet. You’ll find several serviced apartments in New York here at competitive rates for your festive NYC trip. 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & River Dyeing in Chicago (15 March, 2025)

Yes, you read it right! The St. Patrick’s Day fun is literally something else in Chicago! In fact, the first such celebration here took place in 1843 and was revived in 1956 after a brief pause in between. Of course, the parade is one attraction, while there’s also the traditional dyeing of the Chicago River to green (added in 1962).

It will take place on 15th March (Saturday) this year, with the main parade taking place on the same day. 

The river dyeing will happen at 10 AM and you can watch it best on the riverside between Columbus and State. The Lower Riverwalk will stay closed, although you can also watch from any of the bridges and the Upper Wacker Drive. The procession will be massive, starting from noon and taking around three hours.

Beginning at Columbus Drive, it will cover the stretch between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive. You’ll love the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band who have been leading the march from 1956 onwards. There will also be step dancers, marching bands, bagpipers, and a lot more. 

You can watch for free or purchase grandstand tickets from the official parade site. Staying in the River North or Loop areas is a good idea to quickly reach the river dyeing and parade venues without missing any part of the celebrations. Book your accommodation in Chicago in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. 

St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin (March 15-17, 2025)

Dublin is packed with St. Patrick’s Day events, which is natural, considering that it’s the Irish capital! This is one of the world’s biggest multi-day festivals and celebrations of Irish heritage, with several attractions including the globally acclaimed National St. Patrick’s Day Parade (noon onwards) in Dublin on the 17th of March. 

It will have marching bands from several parts of the world along with fabulous pageants, and innumerable participants. The city centre will also host several programs from the 15th of March onwards. You can watch the parade for free or buy grandstand tickets for six areas along the route.

It begins from the Dublin City Centre, covering Parnell Square and O’Connell Street to the Cuffe St or Kevin St Junction. Some of the top events include musical performances, cultural art events, Bumble Blossom Fairy, a treasure hunt, Docklands walking tours, Bedlam Bazaar at Jameson Distillery Bow St, The Museum of Memorable Trees, and a lot more. 

To enjoy the celebrations smoothly and avoid commute hassles, you can stay at the City Centre or Temple Bar, two prime areas with plenty of accommodation choices. 

St. Patrick’s Day Festival in London (March 16, 2025)

Come down to London for fabulous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that are centred on the mega parade on the 16th of March (Sunday) from 12 PM to 6 PM. The venue is the iconic Trafalgar Square, which will also host a lovely festival for you to enjoy.

Enjoy the sea of green going through central London, right from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square and ultimately concluding at Whitehall. Watch fabulous Irish acts on the main stage along with browsing through the lovely food markets and stalls, along with the lively bar. 

That’s not all; some other attractions include Irish Creative Collection Sessions, a dance zone, and the lovely Peace Heroines Exhibition. In fact, you can also try some fabulous Irish treats from The Wee Sisters, the new venture by celeb chef Anna Haugh. In fact, this year’s festival theme in London is focused on a sustainable and green London.

There’ll also be clips from The Song Cycle, a movie that shows Nick Kelly and Dogs, his band, cycling and performing through the entire route to Glastonbury from Dublin (they also performed here last year). They will take the same route once again, cycling from Dublin to London to join the parade and then perform on the main stage! 

Want to stay nearby so that you don’t miss out on the action? Try finding accommodation in Soho or Covent Garden for easy access and the best vantage points to enjoy the festival. 

Fun Activities You Can Try for St. Patrick’s Day

It’s not just parades and carnivals; you can try several fun activities to mark the occasion in your own way. Some of the top choices include: 

1. Dressing Up Like a Leprechaun

Yes, you read it right! There’s always a lot of excitement and thrill in donning a St. Patrick’s Day leprechaun outfit! Drape on the green and transform into a leprechaun with a beard and hat or even wear a shirt that has shamrocks on it! These costumes will undoubtedly be a great way to get into the community spirit as you attend parades, parties, or simply have a blast with your loved ones! 

2. Get the Classic Irish Pub Feel 

How about a classic St. Patrick’s Day Irish pub experience? It’s a great way to round off the celebrations, no matter which city you’re in. NYC, for example, has tons of choices like the Old Ale House, The Dead Rabbit, Hartley’s, and Donovan Pub, while London is home to The Auld Shillelagh, The Boot, The Cow, and more. Chicago’s top options include Mrs. Murphy’s and Sons, Chief O’Neill’s, and The Gage and if you’re in Dublin, don’t miss the hallowed Temple Bar Pub, The Stag’s Head, and Kehoe’s, along with Grogan’s (you’ll get some great stout here!). 

3. Whip Up an Irish Feast

You can also put on the chef’s hat and cook a fabulous traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner for your loved ones as a special surprise. What could be more exciting? Some top choices (you’ll easily find recipes online) include Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Stew, Colcannon, Barmbrack, Irish Apple Tart, and Shepherd’s Pie, to name just a few. 

4. Be Part of a Local Parade

What’s a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration without attending a local parade? You’ll find these mega events at leading cities, complete with a carnival-like atmosphere. Participate in them to feel the vibe and in fact, if you don’t want the huge crowds, look up smaller city parades that take place at multiple locations. It will undoubtedly be a fun experience! 

Where Can You Stay for St. Patrick’s Day 2025? 

The thumb rule to get proper accommodation for St. Patrick’s Day this year is to book early. This will give you some breathing space and better rates before the festive rush kicks in! You’ll be hard-pressed to find options later on in cities like NYC, Dublin, Chicago, or London in the build-up to the festival. What you can do is opt for serviced apartments which offer more privacy, flexibility, and space than hotels. It’s just like staying in a home away from home with all the facilities and services that you want. What’s more, the rates are pretty reasonable, particularly for extended stays. 
You’ll find serviced apartments in all major global locations if you book with leading brands like TheSqua.re. Book accommodation online in advance, choosing as per the size of your travel group, preferred locations/amenities, and other requirements. 

Enjoy Saint Patrick’s Day 2025 to the Hilt! 

Now that you know why planning ahead is essential (for any such mega global celebration or event), go ahead and complete your flight and accommodation bookings right away. From London and NYC to Dublin and Chicago, the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be massive in 2025! 

From the colorful parades and Irish music to pubs, traditional treats, and performances, there’s plenty to savor on your next trip to any of these cities (just in time for the festival). You truly don’t want to miss it!