The Emerald Isle will be awash in celebrations today, as St. Patrick’s Day is commemorated across the country. But it’s not just Ireland where March 17 is a day of revelry. Here are six other places around the world that are celebrating St. Paddy’s in style.
Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, seen here lit green for the U.N. Summit in 2010, is also lit green on St. Patrick's Day. Photo courtesy Art Jonak.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In Rio de Janeiro, the famous Christ the Redeemer statue — visible from most points in the Brazilian city — is lit up with bright green lights to celebrate St. Paddy’s. The city is also home to more than a few Irish pubs, all of which will host special events — like live music, trivia and themed giveaways — on the night of.
There's so much to explore in Brazil, from Rio to the Amazon and beyond. G Adventures runs a number of tours in the South American country; check out our wide variety of itineraries here.
The Chicago River is dyed green every year to commemorate St. Patrick's Day.
Chicago, U.S.
Beer isn’t the only liquid that gets dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day. On March 18 — the Saturday after St. Patrick’s Day — the Chicago River is dyed a bright verdant hue using a formula whose recipe has been kept secret since the tradition began in 1962. There will also be three parades: the city’s 62nd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which snakes through downtown beginning at noon on Saturday, plus the Northwest Side Irish Parade and the Southside Irish Parade, both of which happen the day after.
A number of our itineraries to the United States of America visit the Windy City. Check them out here.
Auckland hosts a St. Patrick's Day parade every year. Photo courtesy of eightson.
Auckland, New Zealand
Due to its geographic location and time zone, New Zealand’s capital city begins its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations before anyone (or anywhere) else in the world. Auckland hosts a St. Patrick’s Day festival from March 5–17, which includes such family events as face-painting, fundraisers, restaurants serving traditional Irish foods, and, of course, a parade. The Sky Tower, the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand, is also lit up green on the 17th.
New Zealand is lush and green year round — not just on St. Paddy's. Take a look at our itineraries to the island here.
Revellers enjoy St. Patrick's Day festivities in downtown Buenos Aires. Photo courtesy of Gustavo Facci.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The South American city boasts the world’s fifth largest Irish population, and the largest St. Patrick’s Day party on the continent. This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and party in Buenos Aires — which includes live music, dancing, and plenty of food and drink —takes place on March 18, but the revelry stretches over an entire week at pubs, bars, restaurants, and other locations in the city.
Buenos Aires is worth exploring year-round for its vibrant culture, delicious food and stunning architecture. Take a look at our tours to Argentina here.
Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade is an annual tradition. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.
Boston, U.S.
Around 20 percent of Boston residents claim Irish ancestry, so it’s no surprise that this U.S. city hosts one of the largest St. Paddy’s parties in the world (in the States, it’s second in size only to celebrations in New York City). The list of events is too big to list: in addition to a parade on the 17th, there’s a road
Boston is one of the most historic cities in the States — and is only one of a number of amazing cities we visit in the U.S. Take a look at our full roster of tours here.
A woman celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Montserrat, which is known as the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean." Photo courtesy of Tavez Aymer.
Montserrat
Monserrat is the only country outside of Ireland where March 17th is a national holiday. Here, it simultaneously commemorates the island’s Irish heritage — it’s referred to as the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean” — and an unsuccessful uprising of the country’s enslaved Black peoples in 1768. Events include a nature hike, and a calypso competition, while bars serve Guinness and green Heineken alongside more local libations, such as rum punch.
We host a number of tours to the Caribbean, from active escapes to leisurely retreats. Check out all the options here.
