St. Patrick’s Day

Q: What is St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is held annually on March 17, the feast day of St. Patrick , a patron saint of Ireland . Originally observed with religious feasts and services, St. Patrick’s Day became a secular celebration of Irish culture when it reached the United States alongside Irish immigrants. Parades are held on the day, and people commonly wear something green—such as an item of green clothing or a shamrock , a national symbol of Ireland, worn on the lapel. Corned beef and cabbage are associated with the holiday, and even beer is sometimes dyed green to celebrate the day.

Q: When is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of St. Patrick ’s death in 461.

Q: What is the origin of St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day was originally celebrated in Ireland with religious services and feasts in honor of St. Patrick , one of Ireland’s patron saints . When Irish immigrants brought St. Patrick’s Day traditions to the United States, the day evolved into a secular celebration of Irish culture.

Q: Who was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He became a legendary figure by the end of the 7th century and is considered a patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as an enslaved person. He escaped but returned about 432 ce to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity . Patrick’s feast day is commemorated on March 17 with both religious traditions such as church services and secular festivities such as parades. Known as St. Patrick’s Day , its fame and celebration in many countries around the world is a testament to Ireland’s long history of emigration.

feast day

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 22, 2026 •History

What is St. Patrick’s Day?

When is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?

What is the origin of St. Patrick’s Day?

Who was St. Patrick?

News •

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St. Patrick’s Day, holiday honoring St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. It is held annually on March 17, which is St. Patrick’s feast day. Originally observed with religious services and feasts, the day was later transformed by emigrants—particularly to the United States—into a largely secular holiday that celebrates all things Irish.

Who was St. Patrick?

Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at age 16 and taken to Ireland as an enslaved person. He escaped but returned about 432 ce to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity.

Traditions

It was emigrants, particularly to the United States, who transformed St. Patrick’s Day into a largely secular holiday of revelry and celebration of things Irish. Cities with large numbers of Irish immigrants, who often wielded political power, staged the most extensive celebrations, which included elaborate parades. Boston held its first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762. Since 1962 Chicago has colored its river green to mark the holiday. (Although blue was the color traditionally associated with St. Patrick, green is now commonly connected with the day.) Irish and non-Irish alike commonly participate in the “wearing of the green”—sporting an item of green clothing or a shamrock, the Irish national plant, in the lapel. Corned beef and cabbage are associated with the holiday, and even beer is sometimes dyed green to celebrate the day. Although some of these practices eventually were adopted by the Irish themselves, they did so largely for the benefit of tourists.