St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, honours Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
While it began as a religious holiday, it has grown into a worldwide celebration of Irish culture. Cities around the world mark the occasion with parades, festivals, and even unique traditions like dyeing rivers green.
In Chicago, USA, the famous Chicago River is dyed bright green on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. The city also hosts multiple parades, including the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown on Saturday and the South Side Irish Parade on Sunday in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighbourhood.
Across the Atlantic, London, England, is also preparing for a grand celebration. The St. Patrick’s Day parade will travel through the heart of the city, passing Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, and Whitehall. Leading the event as grand marshals will be Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy and Olympic boxer Kellie Harrington, both gold medalists. Trafalgar Square will host a festival from noon to 6 p.m., featuring Irish music, dance, food, and cultural performances.
Meanwhile, in Dunedin, New Zealand, St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the biggest social events of the year, especially for university students. Thousands gather in green outfits to celebrate, with many visitors traveling from other cities. However, local officials are reminding partygoers to celebrate responsibly.
