Saint Patrick’s Day, a cultural and religious celebration held on the 17th of March, is a global phenomenon. It commemorates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. This post will explore How Saint Patrick’s Day is Celebrated Around the World.
History of Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day has evolved from a religious observance in the 17th century to a variety of festivals across the globe. Irish culture is celebrated with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green.
How Saint Patrick’s Day is Celebrated Around the World? Country Breakdown
From Dublin to New York, Sydney to Buenos Aires, the world turns green on Saint Patrick’s Day!
Let’s take a look at how different countries celebrate this day:
Ireland
In Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is more than just a holiday; it’s a grand celebration that brings the whole country together. The heart of the celebration is in Dublin, where a grand parade paints the town green.
People dress up in festive clothing, and public parties are held throughout the city. The day also holds religious significance, with many people attending church services.
Over time, what was once a solemn religious observance has transformed into a vibrant celebration of Irish culture.
United States
The United States, home to a large population of Irish descent, celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day with great enthusiasm. The day is recognized and celebrated throughout the country as a tribute to Irish and Irish American culture.
Celebrations include prominent displays of the color green, feasting, religious observances, and numerous parades.
Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wield political power, stage the most extensive celebrations. This includes elaborate parades.
Famous Foods Consumed in Ireland and United States on Saint Patrick’s Day
| Country | Saint Patrick’s Day Foods |
| Ireland | Traditional Irish foods include a fried Irish breakfast with bacon (known as rashers), fried tomatoes, black pudding (blood sausage), brown soda bread, and a huge pot of tea. Other popular dishes include buttery scones, Irish soda bread, and beef pot roast served with roasted potatoes, peas, carrots, and gravy. Desserts often include fresh apple tarts. |
| United States | The most common offering is corned beef and cabbage, but other versions of meaty stews (preferably those that incorporate a good amount of Guinness), starchy sides like potatoes, leafy vegetables, soda bread, and, of course, rich Irish dessert recipes, can all be part of a great St. Patrick’s Day dinner. |
Australia
Down under, Saint Patrick’s Day is a popular observance that brings Australians together to celebrate Irish culture and remember the life and achievements of Saint Patrick.
Businesses and organizations hold special breakfasts and lunches. They give lucky door prizes and serve traditional Irish food and drinks. Irish pubs host evening parties, featuring live Irish music and serving green drinks.
The Sydney Opera House often lights up in green, symbolizing the connection between Australia and Ireland.
Argentina
In Argentina, Saint Patrick’s Day, known as El Dia de San Patricio, is celebrated with gusto. Buenos Aires is home to the fifth largest Irish community globally and hosts an annual. Here guests can try dark Irish beer and eat traditional Irish dishes cooked in Argentine style.
The annual parade includes live Irish music and dancing, costumed elves and fairies, bagpipers, and Irish dancers. The celebration in Buenos Aires is one of the most popular Saint Patrick’s Day events in South America.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Russia
In Russia, Saint Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for over 25 years. The Russian Orthodox Church officially added the celebration of St. Patrick to its calendar, but the holiday is honored on March 30.
However, Moscow has been marking the holiday on its traditional date of March 17. Russians in cities like St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, and Khabarovsk mark the Irish holiday with Irish music and Irish dance, and drink pints of Guinness in Irish pubs found all across the country.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Bosnia and Herzegovina
There is no specific information available about Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
However, it’s important to note that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a diverse cultural heritage, and various holidays are celebrated by different ethnic and religious groups.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Scotland
In Scotland, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Irish pubs and in cities where many people with an Irish background live.
The degree to which people celebrate St Patrick’s Day varies according to their religious and political affiliations. Typical celebrations include dressing in green, displaying Irish symbols such as the shamrock, and drinking green beer.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in Irish pubs and in cities where many people with an Irish background live, such as Nottingham and London.
The degree to which people celebrate St Patrick’s Day varies according to their religious and political affiliations. Typical celebrations include dressing in green, displaying Irish symbols such as the shamrock, and drinking green beer.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Canada
Canada’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Montreal in 1824. Ever since parades and festivals of Irish culture have been held annually on March 17 in cities across Canada.
Typical celebrations include dressing in green, displaying Irish symbols such as the shamrock, and drinking green beer.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Singapore
In Singapore, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with the “I Love Ireland Festival”. This is one of the biggest events in Japan during St. Patrick’s Day.
It’s a culmination of live music, bagpipe performances, traditional Irish dancing, parades, and more.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Japan
In Japan, St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in 1992. It has been introduced by Irish Network Japan with support from the Irish Embassy in Japan.
The Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place in the Omotesando district, and for two days the “I Love Ireland Festival” annually comes to Yoyogi Park. This celebration is a couple of days of food, drinking, and overall fun at Asia’s largest Irish festival.
Importance of Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture. It is particularly in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It’s a day when the world turns green, with festivities ranging from parades and concerts to wearing green attire. Hence, public buildings are lit up in green.
In the United States, the day is marked with parades, and the Chicago River is dyed green. In other countries like Canada and Australia, the people of Irish descent also celebrate it with parades and by wearing green.
Even in countries without a significant Irish population, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated. For instance, in Japan and Singapore, the day is marked with ‘I Love Ireland’ festivals. Thus, Saint Patrick’s Day serves as a symbol of Irish pride and heritage, celebrated by millions around the world.
Related Post
- What Countries Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
- From Saint to Celebration | How Saint Patrick’s Day Started
- Do Other Countries Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Conclusion
From its origins as a religious holiday in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day has grown into a global celebration of Irish culture. It’s a day of parades, green attire, festive foods, and worldwide.
So, on the 17th of March, don’t forget to wear a touch of green. And be a part of this global celebration!
Remember, no matter where you are in the world, when you come to know how Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world you will celebrate it perfectly. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
