St Patrick’s Day - March 17th - is a day for celebrating Irish culture and heritage, as well as a religious feast day. There are so many St Paddy’s Day activities to choose between, but here are 15 fun-guaranteed ideas which will help you to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in all it’s green glory.
#1 Irish Dancing
Immerse yourself in Irish culture and music by learning some Irish dancing. There are plenty of virtual classes and how-to videos online.
Or if the idea of dancing uncoordinatedly around your living room doesn’t appeal to you, why not go see some professional Irish dancers perform.
#2 Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a great way to entertain the kids - and the adults! Get the whole street involved by planning a community scavenger hunt, with clues and treats hidden in front gardens and community spaces.
Bring in the St Patrick’s Day vibes by adding an Irish theme to your clues and leaving chocolate coins as prizes - just like you might find at the end of a rainbow!
#3 Drink It Green
Whether you opt for a milkshake, Irish coffee or a traditional Irish Guinness, make it green!
Green food dyes and mint flavouring can help you to make simple festive drinks which will get you in the St Patrick’s Day spirit.
#4 Bake Festive Treats
Baking traditional Irish treats like Irish apple cake will get you in the festive mood and also help you to host a memorable St Patrick’s Day gathering.
Adding green food dye, shamrock sprinkles and a little gold dusting to your favourite bakes will add festive flair.
#5 Wear Green
Wearing green has become a staple of St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The green, white and orange of the Irish flag, shamrocks and leprechaun costumes are all common sights.
Getting creative and making your own costume, or even hosting a costume competition, will add extra fun to the day!
#6 Crafts
Keep the children - and yourself! - entertained by making decorations for your home or St Patrick’s Day cards for friends and family.
Paper-plate shamrocks, green paper chains and Irish-themed wreaths are all easy craft wins and can often be made from things around the house.
#7 Visit a Church
As St Patrick’s Day is the feast day for the patron saint of Ireland, many people attend mass in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon, as Irish Catholics have done for generations.
Whether you celebrate St Patrick’s Day in a religious or a secular and cultural sense, visiting an Irish Catholic church can help you to understand the holiday in a different way.
If you happen to be in Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, the beautiful St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is definitely worth a visit.
#8 Learn Some Gaelic
Gaelic is a language with a long history and is still recognised as an official language in Ireland.
Learning a few key phrases will help you to feel immersed in Irish culture and means that you can show off in your local Irish bar.
#9 Bake Soda Bread
Cooking up some Irish food for a gathering or even for a quiet night-in is a great cultural and culinary experience.
Soda bread is a traditional Irish speciality which is simple to make and goes well with a warm hearty meal like stew. The recipe is straight-forward enough for even inexperienced cooks.
#10 Search for Four-Leaf Clovers
Go on an adventure to find the elusive four-leaf clover.
Foraging through a clover field is a nice peaceful way to start off your St Patrick’s Day. And if you are lucky enough to find one, you can be confident that the rest of your day will be joyful!
#11 Test Your Luck
Test out your luck with some St Patrick’s Day themed games - especially recommended if you did find a four-leaf clover during your foraging!
Shamrock bingo, a coin toss or pin-the-clover-on-the-leprechaun are all fun games for adults and children.
For adult-only parties, Irish drinking games will help to get you in a celebratory mood. There are hundreds of St Paddy’s Day drinking games online to inspire you.
#12 See a Parade
Go to see a St Patrick’s Day parade (or watch one online) and enjoy the green spectacle and Irish music. Many global big cities, especially those with large Irish communities, hold a spectacular parade.
Fancy dress, face paint and Irish flags are recommended!
#13 Learn about Irish History
As St Patrick’s Day has been celebrated as a religious holiday for over a thousand years, there is a rich history for you to engage with.
Going to a museum, reading Irish literature or watching historical documentaries are great ways to find out about Irish history and culture.
#14 Watch an Irish Movie
For those looking for quiet St Patrick’s Day evening plans, an Irish movie marathon is recommended! There are loads of movies about Ireland, filmed in Ireland or featuring an Irish cast, but here are just some suggestions.
#15 Plant Shamrocks
Planting some shamrocks every year on St Patrick’s Day could become a great tradition.
Shamrocks can be grown outside or as a houseplant and, if you are lucky, produce beautiful flowers.