St. Patrick's Day is a religious and cultural holiday in Ireland that celebrates the foremost patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Held in March each year, it's known for its green parades, parties and endless pints of Guinness.
Many countries around the world celebrate the holiday, particularly in Europe, where there's a wide range of cities that toast to the luck of the Irish! Whether you're looking to celebrate with a pint of Guinness along the canals of Amsterdam or with an Irish whiskey in Munich's Hofbräuhaus, read on to discover the best places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Europe.
When is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the 17th of March each year to commemorate Saint Patrick on the anniversary of his death.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Known for its iconic canals, interesting museums and artistic heritage, Amsterdam is a fantastic city to visit all year round. Amsterdam on St. Patrick’s Day is particularly exciting, as the city embraces the Irish spirit with a festival that grows in popularity every year.
For your St. Patrick's Day plans, we recommend staying in the centre to be close to the action. Amsterdam’s city centre also has a range of amazing restaurants serving up a variety of cuisines. Whether you're looking to sample your first stroopwafels or Bitterballen, the food options in Amsterdam are endless.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin's St. Patrick's Day celebrations include a week-long festival with a lively street parade beginning in Kreuzberg. The parade features Irish dancing, live music and green costumes, ending with a free outdoor concert. There's an array of food to try, including some German classics. There's also a range of events varying from sports to whiskey-tasting workshops, with something for everyone to enjoy!
If you're looking to enjoy the festival and visit some Irish pubs in Berlin on St. Patrick's Day, it's best to look for accommodation in the Kreuzberg district. Not only is it a fun, quirky area filled with thrift shops, laid-back cafes and the beautiful green Viktoria park, but you'll also be within walking distance of the parade.
Paris, France
Paris is another great city to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with an elaborate parade and plenty of Irish pubs.
Paris' St. Patrick's Day Festival takes place from the 7th–18th March and features live performances, delicious food trucks, Gaelic games, face painting and circus performances. The St. Patrick's Day parade begins at the Irish Cultural Centre of Paris and travels around the 5th arrondissement. The streets will be full of lively dancing to traditional Irish music played on the fiddle or bagpipes.
And, of course, there are plenty of Irish pubs where you can spend the day celebrating. The Marais district is home to many Irish-themed bars, such as McBrides Irish Pub and the Temple Rock Tavern.
Munich, Germany
Known for its annual Oktoberfest celebrations and iconic beer halls, St. Patrick's Day in Munich is sure to keep you well-stocked on Guinness and other delicious beers.
Munich's St. Patrick's Day Festival includes a parade and an open-air festival held on the beautiful Odeonsplatz. It has music, dancing and a variety of street food stalls in front of the Feldherrnhalle, where you can sample local delicacies like Weisswurst sausage.
For your post-parade pint, there are a variety of places to choose from. Hofbräuhaus is an iconic beer hall dating back to the 16th century, with elaborate chandeliers and long oak tables. Or head to an Irish pub close to Hofbräuhaus, such as Kennedy's Bar and Restaurant, Molly Malone's, or the Dubliner Irish Pub.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels hosts an extravagant St. Patrick’s Day parade beginning at Les Halles Saint Géry. It travels across the city, passing through Bourse, La Monnaie, Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and finishing up at the Grand Place. Expect a dancing tidal wave of leprechauns and shamrocks!
In 2024, Les Halles Saint Géry hosted a children's arts and crafts workshop and a 'Concert of Irish Melodies' before the parade. They also continued the celebrations after the parade with a concert.
On St. Patrick's Day, be sure to visit the Manneken Pis, one of Europe's most visited statues and a national treasure of Belgium. He'll be dressed in his finest, sporting green traditional Irish clothing. It's a must-see and a great photo opportunity!
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