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<\/a><\/p>\nSavannah, Georgia<\/h2>\n
Savannah<\/a> is one of the best places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day outside of major cities like New York or Boston \u2014 and for good reason. The city has been honoring the holiday since 1824, making it home to one of the oldest St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations in the United States. Each year, the festivities draw nearly half a million visitors, transforming Savannah into a sea of green.<\/p>\n The highlight of the celebration is the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest in the country, featuring elaborate floats, Irish dancers, marching bands, and even military units. The parade kicks off in the historic district and winds its way past iconic landmarks like Chippewa Square and Forsyth Park, where the fountain is dyed green in honor of the holiday.<\/p>\n Beyond the parade, River Street and City Market become the heart of the party, with live music, beer gardens, and outdoor festivities lasting well into the night. For an extra dose of fun, check out the Shamrock Run 5K, the lively St. Patrick\u2019s Day Festival, or hop on a Savannah St. Patrick\u2019s Day Bar Crawl to experience the city\u2019s famous nightlife.<\/p>\n St. Louis<\/a> may not be the first city that comes to mind for St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations, but it has one of the biggest and most spirited in the Midwest. Each year, the city hosts two major parades, drawing thousands of revelers to different parts of town. The main event is the St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade in downtown St. Louis, which takes place on the Saturday before or on March 17. The parade features hundreds of elaborate floats, marching bands, and Irish dancers, making its way through the streets of the city\u2019s historic core. The festivities continue at the lively Irish Village, where attendees can enjoy traditional Irish food, drinks, and live music.<\/p>\n Or you can head to the Ancient Order of Hibernians Parade in the Dogtown neighborhood, an authentic Irish-American celebration held on St. Patrick’s Day itself. This neighborhood parade has a more local feel, with strong ties to the city\u2019s Irish heritage. Bars and restaurants in Dogtown overflow with festive crowds, and live bands keep the party going well into the night.<\/p>\n Yes, this is the<\/em> Scranton from The Office<\/em>, but beyond its pop culture fame, this Pennsylvania<\/a> city is home to one of the largest St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations on the East Coast. Scranton\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade is a massive event, regularly drawing over 100,000 spectators \u2014 a surprising turnout for a city of its size. Taking place on the Saturday before St. Patrick\u2019s Day, the parade features over 12,000 participants, including marching bands, bagpipers, Irish dancers, and dazzling floats. The event has been a city tradition since 1962 and has grown into one of the country\u2019s top St. Patrick\u2019s Day parades.<\/p>\n The celebration doesn\u2019t stop there. Bars and pubs throughout downtown Scranton, like Backyard Ale House and The Bog, overflow with revelers enjoying Irish beer, live music, and traditional food. The night before the parade, the city hosts the Brian P. Kelly Memorial Race, a two-mile run that kicks off a full weekend of festivities.<\/p>\n Jackson<\/a>, Mississippi, might not be the first place that comes to mind for St. Patrick’s Day, but its celebration is one of the most idiosyncratic in the country. What started in 1983 as a quirky gathering outside Hal & Mal\u2019s, a popular local restaurant and bar, has grown into a massive annual event drawing at least 75,000 people. When local restaurant owner Malcolm White and a group of friends organized the festivities, they took inspiration from Mississippi-born playwright Tennessee Williams. Revelers dressed as characters from Williams\u2019 famous plays, bringing a theatrical element to the celebration. Over the years, the parade has evolved, but its spirit of creativity and eccentricity remains.<\/p>\n The highlight is the Hal\u2019s St. Paddy\u2019s Parade & Festival, an over-the-top celebration blending Irish tradition with Southern flair. The parade is known for its playful floats, costumed revelers, and a colorful atmosphere that feels like a mix of Mardi Gras and St. Patrick\u2019s Day. Each year, the event chooses a fun parade theme, and past Grand Marshals have included celebrities, local figures, and even eccentric characters.<\/p>\n Beyond the parade, the festivities include a pet parade, a children\u2019s costume contest, live music, and food vendors offering Southern and Irish-inspired dishes. The event also supports a good cause, raising money for the Children’s Hospital of Mississippi.<\/p>\n Wilmington<\/a>, North Carolina brings a coastal twist to St. Patrick\u2019s Day with a vibrant celebration set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Each year, the city hosts the Wilmington St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade and Festival, drawing locals and visitors alike for a day of Irish-themed fun.<\/p>\n The parade kicks off in historic downtown Wilmington, making its way through the streets with lively marching bands, Irish dancers, and colorful floats. After the parade, the celebration continues at Riverfront Park, where the festival features food vendors, family-friendly activities, and live performances. One of the highlights is the traditional Irish music and dancing, with members of the Walsh Kelley School of Irish Dancing putting on crowd-pleasing performances.<\/p>\n For those looking to raise a glass to the occasion, Wilmington\u2019s local bars and breweries join in the festivities, offering Irish beer specials and themed events. The city\u2019s popular Riverwalk, lined with restaurants and pubs, becomes a gathering spot for revelers enjoying the St. Patrick\u2019s Day spirit well into the evening. Adding to the feel-good atmosphere, Wilmington\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations also support local charities, including organizations like Nourish NC, which helps fight food insecurity among children in the area.<\/p>\n You may also like: Don’t Fall for These Myths About St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n New London, Wisconsin<\/a>, might be a small town, but when St. Patrick\u2019s Day rolls around, it transforms into \u201cNew Dublin\u201d for a week-long Irish celebration unlike any other in the state. The festivities, organized by the local Shamrock Club, bring a unique mix of tradition, community spirit, and fun. The celebration kicks off when a group of mischievous \u201cleprechauns\u201d from the Shamrock Club sneak around town changing road signs to read \u201cNew Dublin.\u201d Throughout the week, local pubs feature live Irish music, and restaurants serve classic dishes like corned beef and cabbage.<\/p>\n The grand finale is the New Dublin St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade, the largest in Wisconsin, featuring marching bands, bagpipe players, colorful floats, and performers. A post-parade Irish Fest keeps the party going with live music, Irish dance performances, and plenty of Guinness and green beer. What makes New London\u2019s celebration so special is its deep Irish roots. Many Irish immigrants settled in the area in the 1800s, and the town continues to honor that heritage each year with one of the most authentic and enthusiastic St. Patrick\u2019s Day parties in the Midwest.<\/p>\n San Antonio<\/a> may not seem like a traditional St. Patrick\u2019s Day destination, but the city embraces the holiday with a distinctive Texas twist \u2014 by dyeing the San Antonio River green! While Chicago is famous for turning its river emerald for the occasion, San Antonio\u2019s version lasts longer, with the slow-moving waters staying green for up to three days. The celebration centers around the St. Patrick\u2019s Day River Parade, where decorated barges float down the iconic San Antonio River Walk, featuring Irish-themed performers, live music, and costumed characters. Spectators can enjoy the parade from the many restaurants and bars lining the 2.5-mile-long River Walk, one of Texas\u2019 most visited attractions.<\/p>\n In addition to the parade, the city hosts a festival with live music, Irish dancing, and a family-friendly Lucky Dog Parade and Costume Contest. For those looking to join in the fun, the Howl at the Moon Street Fest & Silent Disco keeps the party going late into the night, while local bars and pubs serve up Irish beer and themed cocktails.<\/p>\n You Might Also Enjoy: Avoid the Blarney! Debunking 7 Myths About St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSt. Louis, Missouri<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nScranton, Pennsylvania<\/h2>\n
Jackson, Mississippi<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWilmington, North Carolina<\/h2>\n
New London, Wisconsin<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSan Antonio, Texas<\/h2>\n
Atlanta, Georgia<\/h2>\n