Saint Patrick's Day
United Kingdom · 2026
About Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday observed on March 17th, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick — the foremost patron saint of Ireland. It has evolved from a Christian feast day into a global celebration of Irish culture.
Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 CE) was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. March 17th was observed as a religious feast day in Ireland for centuries before becoming the global cultural phenomenon it is today.
St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and is widely celebrated in countries with large Irish diaspora communities, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Quick Facts
- Date 2026
- March 17, 2026
- Day
- Tuesday
- Type
- Public
- Scope
- Regional
- Fixed Date
- No — date changes each year
- Traditions
- Wearing green · St. Patrick's Day parades · Irish music and dancing · Shamrock and clover decorations
When is Saint Patrick's Day?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 17, 2025 | Monday |
| 2026This year | March 17, 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 17, 2027 | Wednesday |
4-Day Long Weekend
Because Saint Patrick's Day falls on a Tuesday, it creates a 4-day long weekend from Saturday, March 14 to Tuesday, March 17.
How is Saint Patrick's Day Celebrated?
St. Patrick's Day celebrations feature parades, wearing of green, shamrock decorations, traditional Irish music, and dancing. The New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade — first held in 1762 — is one of the world's oldest and largest parades.
Pubs serve green beer and Irish stout. In Chicago, the Chicago River is dyed green for the occasion. Irish-themed foods like corned beef and cabbage (particularly in North America) and soda bread are traditional.
Did You Know?
- •Saint Patrick was not Irish — he was born in Roman Britain and was brought to Ireland as a slave at age 16.
- •The shamrock became associated with St. Patrick because he allegedly used it to explain the Holy Trinity.
- •Chicago has dyed its river green for St. Patrick's Day since 1962, using an orange dye that turns green in the water.
- •Over 100 St. Patrick's Day parades are held across the United States each year.
- •The color originally associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green — green became popular due to Ireland's nickname 'the Emerald Isle.'
Regional Observance
Saint Patrick's Day is not observed nationwide — it applies to the following regions of United Kingdom: