St. Patrick’s Day: parades, symbols and gifts

St. Patrick’s Day is a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and tradition. Whether you’re Irish or just Irish at heart, this holiday is all about fun, festivities, and a touch of luck. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of St. Patrick’s Day, how to celebrate it, and what makes it special. From parades and decorations to gifts and greeting cards, we’ve got you covered!

What is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated annually on March 17 to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally a solemn religious feast day, it commemorates the anniversary of his death in the 5th century and has since evolved into a vibrant celebration of Irish heritage, culture, and traditions worldwide.

What began as a religious observance in Ireland has grown into a global event, with people of all backgrounds joining in to celebrate Irish history and the contributions of Irish people around the world. Today, St. Patrick’s Day is known for parades, music, dancing, wearing green, and festive gatherings that bring communities together in a joyful display of Irish pride. Whether in Dublin, New York, Chicago, Sydney, or other cities, the holiday serves as a powerful reminder of Ireland’s rich traditions and enduring cultural influence.

How to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is all about embracing Irish traditions and having fun. What they usually do:

– Attend a parade or host a party: join the lively parades in your city or throw a St. Patrick’s Day party at home. Here and below you’ll find useful templates to create guest lists, menus, schedules and more.

– Cook traditional Irish food: whip up classic dishes like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, or Irish soda bread. Share recipes with your friends to create something together.

– Wear green and decorate your space: dress in green and transform your home or office with shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots of gold.

– Share Irish blessings and gifts: spread the luck of the Irish with thoughtful gifts and heartfelt blessings.

– Send festive invitations: create personalized Saint Patrick’s Day cards and invite your friends to celebrate together.

St. Patrick’s Day parades: a global celebration of Irish culture

St. Patrick’s Day parades are a vibrant display of Irish pride, featuring colorful floats, marching bands, traditional Irish dancers, and plenty of green! These parades are held in cities around the world, drawing millions of spectators each year. Whether you’re in Dublin, New York, or Sydney, there’s a parade near you to enjoy.

What makes St. Patrick’s Day parades special?

St. Patrick’s Day parades are more than just a procession—they’re a celebration of Irish heritage and community spirit. Here’s what you can expect:

• Floats: elaborate designs featuring shamrocks, leprechauns, and Irish landmarks.
• Marching bands: energetic performances of traditional Irish tunes and popular music.
• Irish dancers: dancers in colorful costumes performing jigs and reels.
• Community spirit: a sense of unity and pride as people come together to celebrate.
• Green everywhere: spectators and participants alike dressed in green, waving flags, and cheering loudly.

St. Patrick’s Day around the world: a calendar of famous parades

Here are some of the most iconic parades to add to your bucket list:

Dublin, Ireland on March 17, 2025

As the birthplace of St. Patrick’s Day, Dublin hosts a massive multi-day festival culminating in a grand parade. Expect stunning floats, street performances, and a lively atmosphere.

New York City, USA on March 17, 2025

The world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, dating back to 1762. It features over 150,000 participants and attracts millions of spectators along Fifth Avenue.

Chicago, USA on March 15, 2025

Famous for dyeing the Chicago River green, this parade also includes vibrant floats, bagpipers, and Irish dancers.

Boston, USA on March 16, 2025

One of the oldest parades in the U.S., Boston’s celebration strongly focuses on Irish heritage, with marching bands and cultural performances.

Sydney, Australia on March 16, 2025

A lively parade featuring Irish music, dance, and community groups, showcasing Australia’s strong Irish connections.

2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Calendar

Plan your celebrations early with this handy calendar of major parades:

City	Date	Highlights
Dublin, Ireland	March 17, 2025	Multi-day festival with a grand parade.
New York City, USA	March 17, 2025	Oldest and largest parade in the world.
Chicago, USA	March 15, 2025	Famous for the green Chicago River.
Boston, USA	March 16, 2025	Rich in Irish heritage and culture.
Sydney, Australia	March 16, 2025	Vibrant celebration with music and dance.

Arrive early to secure a good spot along the parade route, dress green and accessorize with shamrocks or leprechaun hats to make the most of a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Saint Patrick’s Day symbols: the green magic

St. Patrick’s Day is steeped in symbolism that reflects Irish culture, history, and folklore. These symbols are not just decorative—they tell stories, convey blessings, and bring a sense of tradition to the celebration. Here’s a closer look at the most beloved symbols of the holiday:

Shamrocks (Three-Leaf Clovers)

Meaning: The shamrock is the most iconic symbol of St. Patrick’s Day. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) to the Irish people.

How to use it: Wear shamrock pins, decorate with shamrock garlands, or add shamrock-shaped cookies to your menu.

Leprechauns

Meaning: These mischievous little fairies are a staple of Irish folklore. Leprechauns are said to be shoemakers who hide their pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

How to use it: Add leprechaun figurines to your decorations, dress up as a leprechaun, or organize a leprechaun-themed scavenger hunt for kids.

Pots of gold

Meaning: Associated with leprechauns, pots of gold symbolize wealth, luck, and good fortune. The idea of finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow is a beloved St. Patrick’s Day theme.

How to use it: Use gold coins (chocolate or decorative) as table centerpieces or party favors. You can also create rainbow and pot-of-gold crafts.

The Color green

Meaning: Green represents Ireland’s lush landscapes and is the official color of St. Patrick’s Day. It’s also said to ward off leprechauns, who might pinch anyone not wearing green!

How to use it: Dress in green from head to toe, decorate your space with green streamers and balloons, and serve green-themed food and drinks.

Harps

Meaning: The harp is a traditional Irish symbol and has been associated with Ireland for centuries. It represents music, culture, and national pride.

How to use it: Incorporate harp designs into your decorations or play traditional Irish harp music during your celebration.

Celtic knots

Meaning: Celtic knots are intricate designs that symbolize eternity, unity, and the interconnectedness of life. They are a beautiful representation of Irish art and heritage.

How to use it: Use Celtic knot patterns in your decorations, invitations, or even as temporary tattoos.

Rainbows

Meaning: Rainbows are a symbol of hope and good fortune, often linked to the legend of leprechauns and their pots of gold.

How to use it: Create rainbow-themed desserts, crafts, or decorations. A rainbow leading to a pot of gold is a classic St. Patrick’s Day motif.

The Claddagh Ring

Meaning: This traditional Irish ring features two hands holding a heart topped with a crown, symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship.

How to use it: Wear a Claddagh ring as part of your St. Patrick’s Day outfit or gift one to a loved one.

How to incorporate symbols into your celebration

• Decorations: use shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots of gold to create a festive atmosphere.
• Outfits: dress in green and accessorize with shamrock pins, leprechaun hats, or Claddagh jewelry.
• Food and Drinks: serve green-themed treats, Irish dishes, and drinks like Guinness or green punch.
• Activities: organize a scavenger hunt for “pots of gold” or teach kids about the meaning behind the symbols.

Decorations: transform your space into an Irish wonderland

Decorating for St. Patrick’s Day is all about embracing the color green and iconic Irish symbols. Here’s how to create a festive atmosphere:

Shamrocks everywhere

• Shamrock garlands: Hang green shamrock garlands on walls, doors, or tables.
• Shamrock cutouts: Create shamrock shapes from green paper and scatter them around your space.
• Shamrock lights: Use green fairy lights to add a magical glow.

Leprechaun magic

• Leprechaun figurines: Place small leprechaun statues around your home or party area.
• Leprechaun footprints: Use green paint or paper to create tiny leprechaun footprints leading to a “pot of gold.”

Pots of gold

• Gold coins: Scatter chocolate gold coins or yellow decorations around your space.
• Rainbow and pot of gold centerpiece: Create a centerpiece with a small pot filled with gold coins and a rainbow made from colored paper or balloons.

Green galore

• Green balloons and streamers: Fill your space with green balloons and streamers.
• Green tableware: Use green plates, cups, and napkins for a cohesive look.

Irish flags and banners

• Irish flags: Hang Irish flags or banners to celebrate Irish pride.
• St. Patrick’s Day banners: Create banners with messages like “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” or “Kiss Me, I’m Irish.”

Outfit: green dress to impress

Dressing up is one of the most fun parts of St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s how to put together the perfect outfit:

Green clothing. Go all out with green tops, dresses, or even full green suits. Add green hats, scarves, socks, or shoes.

Shamrock accessories. Wear shamrock-shaped pins, necklaces, or earrings. Paint shamrocks on your cheeks or use temporary tattoos.

Leprechaun costumes. Top off your outfit with a classic leprechaun hat. Add a fake red beard for a playful touch.

Kids’ outfits. Pair a green shirt with a rainbow tutu for a festive look. Dress kids in green overalls and add a leprechaun hat.

Food: a feast of Irish flavors

No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without delicious food and drinks. Here are some must-try ideas:

Traditional Irish dishes:

• Corned beef and cabbage – a classic Irish-American dish.
• Shepherd’s pie – a hearty meal made with minced meat and mashed potatoes.
• Irish soda bread – a simple, delicious bread made with baking soda.
• Colcannon – mashed potatoes mixed with kale or cabbage.

Green-themed treats:

• Shamrock cookies – bake sugar cookies in shamrock shapes and decorate with green icing.
• Green velvet cake – a festive twist on red velvet cake.
• Green punch – mix lime soda with green sherbet for a refreshing drink.

Gifts: spread the luck of the Irish

Gifts are a wonderful way to share the joy of St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some thoughtful ideas:

1. Edible gifts. Shamrock-shaped cookies or chocolates: sweet treats that capture the spirit of the holiday.
2. Green-themed accessories. Scarves, mugs, socks, or accessories that can be used year-round.
3. Irish-themed books on Irish History or Folklore are great for those who love learning about Irish culture or recipes.
4. DIY gifts. Handmade shamrock cards: to prepare them in a couple of minutes, use pre-built templates, for example, ONLYOFFICE templates to create personalized cards.

Greeting cards for St. Patrick’s Day

Send festive greetings to loved ones with St. Patrick’s Day cards. For example, ONLYOFFICE offers customizable templates to create personalized cards. Here’s how to use them:

1. Open the ONLYOFFICE Library Templates.
2. Select a St. Patrick’s Day card template.
3. Customize the text, colors, and images.
4. Save and share digitally or print for a personal touch.

All these templates are available in ONLYOFFICE DocSpace and ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, making it easy to start using them right away. Download, customize them, and share with others.

TRY ONLINE                USE ON DESKTOP

Conclusion

St. Patrick’s Day is a joyful celebration of Irish culture, filled with festive gatherings, parades, and traditions. Whether you’re planning a party, preparing delicious recipes, or creating personalized greeting cards, there are plenty of ways to make the day special. Get organized, embrace the spirit of the holiday, and enjoy a memorable St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends!