12 FUN Things To Do in NYC on St. Patrick’s Day 2025
St. Patrick's Day Events
It’s that time again! March in NYC is home to one of the most popular holidays in NYC. The famous holiday, St. Patrick’s Day in New York will be celebrated on the 17th of March and the atmosphere in the city will be exciting and festive. You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this amazing holiday. Just make sure to wear green and celebrate! It’s an experience everyone should take part in.
When is St. Patrick’s Day in New York?
Every year, on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated. It’s an official holiday in Ireland and locals and tourists alike will spend their time with friends and family. Bars will be filled up and people will line up 5th Avenue to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC.
When will the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade take place?
The 2025 Parade will be held on March 17.
What exactly is St. Patrick’s Day?
The honorable saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, is honored on this day. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not only in New York but worldwide. In the US, however, it is very popular and widespread because of the 19 million Irish that live here. With green being one of the colors of the Irish flag, it only makes sense everything has to be green on this day. Faces, flags, and clothing will be green. In Chicago, even their river is dyed in a green hue. The beer and also the Empire State Building adorn itself with a green crown.
What are the best St. Patrick’s Day Events in NYC?
These are the best Best Things To Do in New York on St. Patrick’s Day that you shouldn’t miss:
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01
St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2025
Parade in Midtown Manhattan
The famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is one of the oldest, attracts around 700,000 people annually who want to be part of the spectacle. The parade usually takes place directly on March 17th. The destination of the parade is the St. Patrick Cathedral. At 11 a.m. on the dot, the parade starts moving north at 44th Street/corner of 5th Avenue.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade route will stay on 5th Avenue, will run from 44th Street, will pass by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and will end on 79th Street. The parade will begin at approximately 11 AM– 4:30 PM EST. We suggest that spectators plan your trip accordingly so you can claim your spot along 5th Avenue. It will get busy and it will be crowded. We also recommend taking public transportation into the city as well. Parking will be limited and certain roads will be shut down, making it very difficult to navigate.
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02
Check out the numerous pubs within the city
Bar in Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
There will definitely be special menus and prices based on the holiday. Check out some of our favorite bars on St. Patrick’s Day!
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Explore the catacombs underneath St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
Walking Tour in Nolita
You will be surprised how beautiful Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Nolita is from the inside – and that it hides some secrets. The best way to find out what they are is to take a tour that takes you to different parts of the church, including the catacombs. As you explore, learn all about the landmark’s place in New York history and discover the final resting place of famous New Yorkers past.
It is one of the absolute insider tours in New York!
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04
Get yourself a green beer!
Bar in Lower East Side
Here the Rhine metropolis Cologne meets New York. Michael Momm, a real “Kölscher Jung”, opened this piece of Germany in the middle of New York in 2003. A few years ago, Loreley’s longtime manager Doug Jacobson bought the beer garden and has been running this place ever since.
For St. Patrick’s Day 2025, the Loreley Beer Garden will offer some St. Patrick’s Day specials like green beer and green frozen margaritas from March 12 – 17. Dive into the Irish culture with some green drinks!
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Go on a St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
Other Events in East Village
Explore the finest bars across New York City during an unforgettable 3-day St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl. With your exclusive wristband granting you cover-free access to all the featured venues and additional perks, immerse yourself in a weekend of St. Paddy’s festivities. Savor beer, drink specials, and the lively atmosphere of the city’s top hotspots. Groove to the beats spun by DJs, soak in the great vibes, and make lasting memories. Don’t miss out on the Kiss Me, I’m Irish! St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl in New York City—grab your tickets now and get ready for an epic celebration!
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Try delicious authentic Irish food!
Bar in Financial DistrictOur Highlight
Enjoy real Irish hospitality and try delicious pies, shellfish, Irish stew or Black and white pudding in one of the many Irish restaurants. You will be surprised how good the food is in many Irish pubs. No wonder: after all, there are many Irish people living in New York who love authentic food!
My tip: Check out my article with the best Irish Restaurants in NYC!
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07
Enjoy a glass of Irish whiskey
Bar in TribecaOur Highlight
I love whiskey and not only on St. Patricks Day New York City has a lot of really good whiskey bars to offer. Here you can find the best whiskey bars in NYC for me, especially the Brandy Library is amazing (don’t let the name mislead you, they have almost 1,000 different kinds of whiskey).
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Visit the amazing St. Patrick's Cathedral
Building in Midtown Manhattan
In the middle of Midtown, opposite Rockefeller Center, is the largest neo-Gothic style cathedral in the United States: St. Patrick’s Cathedral New York City is the most breathtaking ecclesiastical building in New York. The slender towers rise almost majestically to a height of over 100 metres.
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09
40 Shades of Green: 6 Hours of Performances!
Other Events in Long Island City
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the annual “40 Shades of Green” cultural festival will be held at the New York Irish Center on March 17, 2023. This event will feature a six-hour program of entertainment from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. by both local and international artists. The performances are, of course, all dedicated to the Irish holiday.
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Join a Pub Crawl on St. Patrick’s Day
Bar in East VillageOur Highlight
This is probably one of the most fun activities in New York City for adults you can do. For a set fee, you and others will be able to bar-hop and get full access to drinks. This goes on throughout the day and it’s a great way to meet new people or even just spend time with friends.
These are the best pub crawls in NYC on St. Patrick’s Day 👇
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Educate yourself on some Irish-American History and Culture
Museum in Lower East Side
We recommend visiting the Tenement Museum located on the Lower East Side. It’s a great way to get an idea of what is being celebrated during St. Patrick’s Day in NYC. Here you can learn the many hardships and prejudices that Irish families faced in the US in the late 1860s.
My tip: The Tenement Museum is part of our list of the best museums in NYC.
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Keep an eye on the Empire State Building
Building in Midtown Manhattan
The Empire State Building is known to change colors based on current events and holidays. St. Patricks Day in NYC is no different. The top of the skyscraper will turn green in honor of the Irish Holiday.
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