St. Patrick's Day Around the World

How St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in many countries.

Wherever the Irish migrated to, they brought their foods, traditions and culture with them. And thanks to centuries of oppression, famines and economic hardship, many millions of Irish have migrated to other countries. According to U.S. News and World report, the top ten countries with the most migrants from Ireland are (in order from most to least):

1. U.K.,
2. U.S.,
3. Australia,
4. Canada,
5. Spain,
6. South Africa,
7. Germany,
8. France,
9. New Zealand,
10. Poland.

The celebrations share many things in common:

• Wearing green, and green as a theme color
• Guinness stout
• Irish music
• Traditional Irish foods, like Corned beef and cabbage, potato soup, beef in Guinness, smoked salmon

Notable Celebrations in Various Countries

• Argentina
  Argentineans love a party, and in many cities, certainly in Buenos Aires, all-night long street parties are common. People party, dance and drink only beer throughout the night, until seven or eight in the morning,
• Canada
  Toronto, Montreal and Manitoba all have large parades. In Manitoba, the Irish Association of Manitoba runs an annual three day festival of music and culture based around St Patrick's Day.
• Denmark
  Copenhagen has a St. Patrick's Day 3 Legged Charity Race sponsored by the Carlsberg brewery and the Irish pub owners , proceeds are donated to charities.
• Italy
  Florence, Italy has ten days of live music, food and drink called 'Festa Irlandese'
• Germany
  Since 1996 Munich has a St. Patrick's Day parade sponsored by the German-Irish Society of Bavaria; a festival follows with live music and dance performances.
  
• Japan
  Since 1992, Tokyo, Japan has a parade on Omote Sando organized by the Irish Network Japan (INJ)
• Mexico
  St. Patrick's Day is not a popular holiday in Mexico, but the global tradition of school children hitting, punching or slapping anyone who is not wearing green in their clothes has caught on..
• Norway
  Oslo, Norway has a parade through the city followed by a festival at the Town Hall Square
• Russia
  Since 1992, Moscow holds a St. Patrick's Day Parade with elaborate floats.
• South Korea
  In Seoul a small parade is held in Daehakro (Taehongno), and goes up the street
• United States
  See the facts page and parades page for US-centric activities
• United Kingdom
  Birmingham has the UK's largest Saint Patrick's Day parade. But large Irish populations in London, Manchester and Coatbridge also have their own celebrations with parades and festivals.
  

References:

1. Unicef
2. U.S. News and World report