St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on or around March 17th to remember St. Patrick who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many countries, Ireland, England, Australia, Canada and United States to name a few. Some of the biggest celebrations are in the United States. Celebrations include traditional Irish foods, parades, wearing green, and of course drinking green beer. A lot of people are not even Irish, it is just a great excuse to have some fun.St. Patrick’s Day is becoming just as big of a celebration as New Years Eve. I am featuring my top ten places I want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They are not in any particular order, if it is a great deal, then it will become number one.

1. Dublin,Ireland: Dublin made the list for obvious reasons, its part of Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day started, of course I want to go there. I think Dublin’s celebrations would be really a life event with a parade, festival, food, music, beer and a lot of laughs. Many popular bands play at the festival and all the traditional Irish food is served. They light up many historical buildings with green lights and have history walks. The festivities last for three days.

2. New York City, NY: New York City has the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade which runs down Fifth Ave. and passes in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This is even bigger then in Dublin. The parade has run every year since 1762. Besides the largest parade with two million spectators, there is also the St. Patty’s Day Scavenger hunt, Irish bands playing, and the famous Irish pub crawl. Just watch out and do not step in green puddles. I love New York and I have a t-shirt to prove it, I think it would be a lot of fun to participate in their festivities.

3. Savannah, Georgia: Savannah will host the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in out nation on Monday, March 17, 2014. They are expecting over 300, 000 spectators and 350 floats. There will be a festival at the River Park from March 14th-17th. The festival will feature live bands, games, food and of course green beer and other Irish drinks. They are going to “paint the town green”. This is the largest celebration in the Southeast. Savannah residents are known for their big and fun parties, it is legal to walk around with alcoholic beverages. I am sure with all the fun of St. Patrick’s Day and the southern hospitality combined will be a festival you will remember forever!

4.Boston, Massachusetts: Boston, Ma has the biggest Irish population in the United States.Boston was the first to have a St. Patrick’s day parade in 1737. In addition to the parade there will be live bands playing, the Irish Heritage Trail, Irish film festival and of course the Irish pubs for some traditional Irish food and drinks. Just don’t throw your green tea in the harbor.

5.Chicago, Illinois: Chicago’s number one symbol of celebration is dying the Chicago river green. They also celebrate with a parade on the Saturday closest to St. Patrick’s Day. All of the Irish restaurants and pubs are buzzing with people in search of traditional Irish food and drinks. There is also the St. Paddy’s Day race, the Fitzgerald’s St. Paddy’s Day festival (food, music and games). I have actually been here for St. Patrick’s Day, it is great!

6. Toronto, Canada: Toronto celebrates mostly like the United States cities do with a parade. They also have the traditional Irish food and drinks, a few pub crawls and bands playing. What makes Toronto different is they turn the Niagara Falls green (with lights, not dye). Niagara Falls would be spectacular to see in the first place, but green, makes it even better.

7.Montserrat: Montserrat is a Caribbean Island known as the ‘Emerald Island of the Caribbean’. Canada, the ROI and Montserrat are the only place in the world that have made St.Patrick’s Day a public holiday. The festivities include a parade, International Fishing Tournament, restaurants will participate in ‘A Taste of the Two Emerald Isles’, and the Skits and Short Plays Festival. It’s in the Caribbean, I think that says it all, no excuse needed to visit.

8. New Orleans, La: St. Patrick’s Day falls very close to Mardi gras, therefore the party continues. The Italians and Irish celebrate together and combine St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day. Of course there is a huge parade (New Orleans loves to have parades) and a pub crawl. This is one of the cities you can take you alcohol in to go cups and drink it while walking around. The city is one big party!

9. Sydney, Australia: Sydney’s celebration is the largest Irish event in the Southern Hemisphere. It is organized and funded by the Irish community and the Irish government. They have a huge parade with over 80,000 Irish and Irish-Australians attending. A family day is another main focus of the celebration. The festivities include local Irish bands playing, traditional Irish food, games and of course green beer. I believe going “down under” would be a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

10.Birmingham, Alabama: This is really at the top of my places to visit for St. Patrick’s Day. Ever since I read “The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love” http://www.sweetpotatoqueens.com, I have wanted to go to this parade. These woman are full of life and fun. It is a group of woman wearing red bee hive wigs, the shiny dresses and long gloves. The first year they threw sweet potatoes. They quickly decided not to do that because of black eyes and broken windows.I suggest reading the book, especially before you go for St. Patrick’s Day. After the parade the celebration continues with a festival consisting of Irish foods, games, bands, dancing and green Irish drinks.

All of the cities offer similar ways of celebrations, but with their own flair. I cannot wait to experience them all. I am sure there are many other places with great celebrations. My green outfits and passport are ready, where else should I go?