So to properly embrace the spirit of the day and prevent being pinched, it is said to be necessary to wear anything green or embellished with shamrocks.
Even though major cities like New York, Chicago, and Dublin steal the show with their lavish celebrations, lesser-known customs from all around the world give the event distinctive tastes.
Here are some of the most fascinating and surprising ways that people celebrate St. Patrick's Day, from little Irish communities to far-off places where Irish influence is strong.
1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Although Buenos Aires has one of the biggest festivities in South America, one would not instantly link Argentina with St. Patrick's Day. The estimated 500,000 or more Irish residents of the city gather to celebrate with dancing, music, and other activities. The Retiro district, where a massive street party is held, is the main center of activities. The celebrations frequently continue until daybreak, local pubs are packed with partygoers, and traditional Irish music melds with Latin rhythms.
2. Montserrat
The only location outside of Ireland where St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday is Montserrat, a tiny island in the Caribbean. The island's Irish heritage, which dates back to the arrival of Irish settlers in the 17th century, is the source of its special status. But they also honor a failed slave uprising against British colonial power in 1768 as part of their St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The week-long event honors the island's mixed Irish and African ancestry with feasts, music, cultural performances, and even a freedom run.
3. Tokyo, Japan
Since 1992, Tokyo has celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an annual procession led by the Irish Network Japan. The Tokyo parade is a family-friendly event that includes marching bands, dancers, and even Japanese kids wearing leprechaun hats, in contrast to the boisterous street celebrations of Western cities. One of the most distinctive St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the world, the event features an intriguing blend of Irish culture and Japanese organization.
4. Singapore
Singapore has recently adopted a similar custom after being inspired by Chicago, which is well-known for dying its river green. Emerald illumination illuminates the Singapore River, while green lights envelop the city's well-known attractions, such as Marina Bay Sands. Live music, traditional dances, and an abundance of Guinness are all part of the lively celebrations held in the Irish pubs located across Clarke Quay and Boat Quay.
5. Russia
Russia has come to appreciate St. Patrick's Day, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg, despite the country's cold March weather. Parades with Irish singers, dancers, and performers are held throughout the cities. Sokolniki Park in Moscow is transformed into an Irish cultural center where guests can sip Guinness and take in traditional Irish jig performances. Russian dance troupes practice Irish step dancing all year long, demonstrating the passion for Irish culture that goes beyond the festival.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand is among the first nations in the world to celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of its geographic position. Some of the first parades, with floats, bagpipes, and Irish dancers, are held in Auckland and Wellington. In honor of the event, several famous sites, such as Auckland's Sky Tower, pop green. With a sizable Irish immigrant population, pubs and bars in New Zealand are crowded with celebrants hoping to get the world celebration off to a good start.
7. Lithuania
In Lithuania, especially in Vilnius, the capital, St. Patrick's Day festivities are centered around food and beverages. Local restaurants provide shamrock-shaped pancakes, while bars serve green beer. In keeping with Chicago's river-dying custom, the Vilnia River is likewise painted green. The festival has grown in popularity over the years, drawing residents who are keen to embrace the holiday's atmosphere despite Lithuania's very small Irish presence.
