Top cities to visit for St. Patrick's Day celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is a few weeks away and it’s become one of those big party holidays in the United States. Several cities host major St. Patrick’s Day parades and other celebrations, especially those that have a rich Irish community. These are the top three cities that you should consider visiting if you’re looking to have a big celebration on or around March 17.

Using some strong criteria, Celtic Times listed the top cities where you should celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Those categories include overall enthusiasm based on search volume within the city, the number of parades and events, and ranking the Irish pubs in the area. With that in mind, the top three locations are Boston Massachusetts, New York City, and Chicago, Illinois. No real surprises in the top three, but with 80 cities listed there are some potential surprises and opportunities for travelers to find a local close to them.

Boston came in with the final score of 96.55. The city’s main sports teams are wrapped in the heritage itself. Hitting a Boston Celtics game and then stumbling out into the streets surrounding the arena is a great 1-2 punch to celebrate the holiday. This year’s schedule of events includes the massive St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday and multiple Dropkick Murphy’s concerts in the days leading up to the main event. From food, music, and sports, there’s easily something to find for everyone.

New York City has its own parade also on Sunday. On Saturday, 40 Shades of Green will present more than 40 musical acts to celebrate the holiday. If you’re looking for something that isn’t a full party scene, the Irish Arts Center brings an educational flare including, dances, workshops, and much more.

Chicago is best known for the Chicago River which is dyed green during the holiday. That will occur on Saturday, March 16, and remain that way through the weekend. Take a ferry ride to get up close pictures of the emerald green water before heading over to the parade held in the city. There are several pubs worth a visit throughout the city.

St. Patrick’s Day is a major party holiday throughout the United States. If you’re looking for someone to visit Boston, New York, and Chicago should be at the top of your list. But there are other cities in the country holding events that could be worth a visit as well.