St. Patrick’s Day in New York 2024

St. Patrick’s Day in New York is an especially big holiday for the Irish-American community. Celebrations always include the colour green, lots of food and drinks and a big parade.

What is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is the day that the Irish patron saint St. Patrick is remembered.

When is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is every year on March 17th, so it is on a fixed date.

What can you expect during St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is not an official holiday, the shops will be open as usual and the trains run on a regular schedule. The largest and oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world takes place in New York. This parade is always on March 17th, except when March 17th falls on a Sunday, then the parade is on the Saturday prior. It starts at 11:00 a.m. and finishes around 5:00 p.m.

The city becomes one big party, including a lot of beer and food. Even Americans who do not have Irish roots, party along. Everyone dresses in green and there’s a tradition that those who are not, will get pinched, affectionally!  The drinks are coloured green, sometimes even the food is coloured green. So don’t miss out on the green bagels and green beer! Also the Empire State Building is illuminated in green on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day.

Even hours after the parade has ended, there are people hanging out in the streets, and there will be plenty of rubbish from the party earlier in the day. People hang out around the cafes on the Second Avenue. Expect some parade revellers to still be partying hours after it has ended. Don’t forget to visit an Irish Bar, if you go out on St. Patrick’s Day! Many of the bars on the Upper East Side will also be packed until closing time, so expect a wild and busy night!

St. Patrick’s Day Cruise

Combine celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with sightseeing in New York! During this special party cruise on St. Patrick’s Day evening, enjoy this 3.5-hour cruise with beautiful views of Manhattan. As an Irish touch during this cruise, you can sample special St. Patrick’s Day drinks, such as green beer, concluding your day in true St. Paddy’s day style.

Book your tickets for the St. Patrick’s Day Cruise here

What to do on St. Patrick’s Day

If you are looking for a place to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with a few pints of Guinness, head to the Murray Hill area on the east side of Manhattan. Here there are a number of Irish bars within walking distance from each other. Go, for example to the McSorley’s Old Ale House, Fitzgeralds and Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar. If you are in need of a good meal in between, this area is also well known for its abundance of Indian restaurants.