St. Patrick’s Day

Held annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.

Featured Overview

st-patricks-day-green-GettyImages-519318976

Featured Overview

Top 4 stories St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick's Day Parade, New York, 1895

3 Surprising Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick

St. Patrick Was Never Canonized

Despite his status as a patron saint, St. Patrick was never actually canonized by the Catholic Church. Many still consider him to hold saintly status nonetheless.

A group of Irish dancers perform during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago on March 11, 2000.

The First St. Patrick’s Day Parade Was Held in America

While people in Ireland had celebrated St. Patrick since the 1600s, the tradition of a St. Patrick’s Day parade actually began in America—before the nation’s founding.

Medieval stained glass window showing Saint Brigit.

Ireland’s Only Female Patron Saint, Brigid, Has Her Own Holiday

One of Ireland’s three patron saints, alongside St. Patrick and St. Columcille, St. Brigid is the patron saint of nuns and newborns. In 2023, Ireland designated February 1 a permanent holiday in her honor.

Who Was St. Patrick?

Who Was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick converted the Irish to Christianity, but there's more to know about Ireland's patron saint - like the fact that he wasn't Irish.

Explore All Related Topics

All
Articles
Videos
Surprising Facts about St. Patrick's Day

9 Surprising Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

Who was the real St. Patrick? Was that legend about the snakes true? And why did so many St. Patrick's Day traditions start in America?

8 Facts About the Celts

8 Facts About the Celts

The ancient Celts were a widespread group of tribes whose rich culture has been identified through burials, artifacts and language.

Dancers dressed in green performing in a St. Patrick's Day parade in Munich.

Why We Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day

Dressing in green on St. Patrick's can trace its roots to leprechaun legends, as well as a sign of Irish defiance.

How St. Patrick’s Day Took on New Life in America

St. Patrick may be the patron saint of Ireland, but many St. Patrick’s Day traditions were born in the United States.

(Original Caption) Woodcut depicting the Anniversary of St. Patrick's Day in New York, Saturday, March 17, 1860. The triumphal car of the Burd of Erin, military companies, civic authorities, friendly societies, etc. are all shown. Undated illustration.

7 St. Patrick’s Day Legends and Myths Debunked

Before you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, get your facts straight by exploring common misconceptions about the holiday.

Revellers dressed in green pose photo during the the annual St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin on March 17, 2022.

Is St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated in Ireland?

The holiday was traditionally a more solemn occasion on the Emerald Isle—until Americans got involved.

St Patrick: Kidnapped by Pirates and Enslaved at 16

The patron saint of Ireland first arrived in Ireland in the hold of a slave ship.

A group of Irish dancers perform during the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago on March 11, 2000.

History of St. Patrick’s Day

A marching band participates in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade along 5th Ave. on March 17, 2018 in New York City. New York's Saint Patrick's Day parade is the largest in the world.

History of St. Patrick’s Day Parades Around the World

St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

St. Patrick pray for your children, printed on open book with saint in foreground, church in background ca. 1888St. Patrick pray for your children, printed on open book with saint in foreground, church in background ca. 1888. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Who Was St. Patrick?

He wasn't Irish, but he found his faith while being held as prisoner by a group of Irish raiders.