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Before we know it, everything will be going green-- pubs, streets, classrooms, milkshakes, and even beers. We’re not mad about it, though, St. Patrick’s day is our favorite time of the year! With countries and cities gearing up to celebrate the day of Irish heritage, we thought it would be fun to explore some of the best spots to party in the United States.

1. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has the kind of commitment we like to see when it comes to St. Pat’s celebrations. The city is known for dyeing the Chicago River green, a tradition started in 1961 when the chairman of the parade saw green dye in the river (a sign of illegal pollution). Lucky for us, he turned a negative into a positive taking something negative and turning it into a positive, and today the start to Saint Patrick’s day is marked with the dyeing of the river & 450,000 spectators.

Once the Chicago River is green, celebrations continue with a 3-hour parade that travels down Columbus Drive. The green convoy includes bagpipers, Irish dancers, Clydesdale horses, and then typically evolves into rollicking street parties in the areas surrounding Grant Park and Division Street.

2. New York City, New York

The Big Apple hosts the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade every year, and has done so since 1762! With 2 million spectators and 150,000 participants on the route along Fifth Avenue, this can definitely be deemed a five-star celebration. The parade is amazingly run by volunteers and features bagpipers, Irish step dancers, police officers, firefighters, school bands, and more!

3. Boston, Massachusetts

We know, Boston is an obvious choice for celebrating St. Patrick's Day due to its long-standing Irish heritage. They certainly live up to their lineage with holiday celebrations beginning weeks before the official day. The festivities include Irish band concerts, an Irish film festival and celebrations at Irish bars and local breweries. On St. Patrick’s Day, a legendary parade packs the streets in South Boston. Up to 1 million people line the route to watch floats, marching bands and bagpipe bands from both Ireland and the United States.

4. Savannah, Georgia

It might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of Irish tradition, but Savannah certainly holds its own as far as parties are concerned. Hundreds of thousands of people converge in the town's grassy squares, setting up tables and chairs, as the city's Forsyth Park fountain flows green. The coastal city hosts music & food festivals, a spectacular parade, and parties that run into the wee hours of the morning Savannah’s many Irish pubs.

5. St. Louis, MO

We might be biased, but we think St. Louis is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. The annual Downtown parade turns the streets into a sea of green with thousands of visitors there to watch 120 marching bands, floats and giant balloons. In addition to the typical festivities, early risers can hit the streets of Downtown before the celebration for the five-mile St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run. The Dogtown Irish Festival is also a hot spot for more parades, vendors, & live music.

Of course, if you’re looking for TRUE Celtic good times this St. Patrick’s Day, make Llywelyn’s Pub your destination! With eight different locations, you’re bound to find a convenient location to hit the green beers and party on! Enjoy our Corned Beef and Cabbage specials, a classic Irish Menu, traditional Irish libations, and live Irish music that will have you dancing a jig all day & night. And if you can’t wait until March 17th to get your Celtic fix, stop by any day for our Irish fare, friendly atmosphere, & great Craic!