On 17th March, the Emerald Isle will be awash with Irish charm and vibrant revelry as people celebrate St Patrick’s Day by painting the town green! With its unparalleled mix of shamrocks, leprechauns and jubilant parades, St Patrick’s Day is an iconic festival that you’ll want to celebrate in style. with these St Patrick’s Day Party Ideas!
And, if you’re wondering how to make this Irish celebration your most unforgettable yet, you’ve come to the right place. Here at PartyWizz, in anticipation of the big day, we’ve been busy planning some great party ideas to help you experience the magic that is St Patrick’s Day.
Ready to party? Unleash your inner leprechaun, join the craic and raise your glass to a great St. Patrick’s Day Bash!
St Patrick’s Day Parade
If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, attending a parade is an absolute must! There’s nothing quite like the excitement and energy that fills the streets as people of all ages come together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. While there are parades held across Ireland, Dublin and Belfast both offer an incredible St Patrick’s Day experience that’s guaranteed to get you in the party spirit!
Can’t be in Ireland on the day? There’s no need to miss out! The Irish community celebrates St Patrick’s Day in cities across the UK; London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow will all be hosting their own unique St Patrick’s Day celebrations in 2024.
So, grab your green attire, round up your family and friends and revel in the camaraderie and lively atmosphere of a St Patrick’s Day parade!
Irish Pub Crawl
If you’re looking to truly embrace the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, there’s no better way than by embarking on an epic Irish pub crawl. We suggest creating a route that allows you to hop easily from one pub to another and selecting pubs which are known for their Irish charm and lively ambience. You could organise some friendly competition such as a green costume contest or a pub trivia quiz to add an extra layer of fun to your celebration too. Remember, an Irish pub crawl is not just about the drinks; it’s about creating unforgettable memories with friends old and new, so drink responsibly and keep the festivities enjoyable for all.
Irish Restaurant Experience
Why not consider indulging in an authentic Irish restaurant experience? Enjoy traditional Irish dishes such as boxty (savoury potato cakes), colcannon, or Irish stew washed down with a pint of Guinness or a refreshing Irish whiskey cocktail. And to complete the experience, treat yourself to a delectable Irish dessert; we’re thinking creamy Bailey’s cheesecake, Irish apple cake or a slice of chocolate Guinness cake, accompanied of course by an iconic Irish coffee!
Ideas for Hosting Your Own St Patrick’s Day Party
We’re sharing some of our favourite St Patrick’s Day party ideas with you here:
Décor
Deck the halls, or at least your living room, in shades of green! Don’t forget to add some gold touches too, such as pots of gold (chocolate) coins and possibly even a rainbow where you can place them. Green balloons hung from the ceiling, with green and gold confetti – ideally shamrock-shaped – sprinkled on tables and countertops will add a touch of Irish magic everywhere your guests look. Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood too, so finish your party décor by illuminating your home with green string lights or small green candles in jars to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
Set up an Accessories Station
Encourage guests to join in the fun by providing them with some festive attire options. Set up a DIY accessories station where they can grab green leprechaun hats, beaded necklaces, and pots of gold headbands. And how about face paint in different shades of green, so everyone can sport a cheerful face adorned with shamrocks? Invite guests to come dressed in green from head to toe and offer a prize for the best-dressed leprechaun!
Play Irish Music
Traditional Irish music with its lively melodies and heartfelt lyrics has the power to transport you to the rolling green hills of Ireland, even if you’re thousands of miles away. So, if you want to create an atmosphere that will make your St. Patrick’s Day celebration memorable, it’s a must! Spotify and Apple Music both offer a plethora of curated playlists featuring traditional and contemporary Irish music that will help create the perfect atmosphere for your St Patrick’s Day bash.
Book a Céilí Band
Hiring a ceilidh band for your St Patrick’s Day party guarantees a never-to-be-forgotten experience. The lively music and catchy tunes will have everyone up on their feet dancing the night away! One of the great things about a Céilí band is that they don’t just perform, they also encourage audience participation by guiding guests through traditional Irish dances. As the dances are easy to learn and a lot of fun, they’re perfect for getting everyone involved and creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Organise a Potluck Lunch
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without indulging in some traditional Irish cuisine. And what better way to add to the festivities than by hosting a potluck lunch where guests bring along their favourite Irish dishes? Avoid duplication by asking guests what they plan on creating and keeping a list. Encourage your guests to use traditional Irish ingredients such as potatoes, lamb and Guinness, and get them to share the stories behind their dishes to add to the authenticity.
Play Party Games
Looking to inject some extra fun into your St. Patrick’s Day party? These party games are sure to keep guests entertained:
- Irish trivia – Test your guests’ knowledge of all things Irish with a St. Patrick’s Day trivia game. Prepare a list of questions related to Irish culture, history and traditions. Divide guests into teams and see who can answer the most questions correctly.
- Irish dance off – Let your guests show off their best Irish dance moves. Encourage them to don their greenest attire and dance like they’re at a traditional ceilidh! Clear a space in the centre of your living room for the ultimate dance floor and award prizes for the most creative performance.
- Home scavenger hunt – Prepare a series of clues that will lead guests from one location to the next until they find the prize. Use phrases like “follow the rainbow” or “search near the leprechaun’s pot of gold” to give hints to the next clue’s location. Add an element of competition by dividing guests into two teams and timing each group as they complete the hunt. Finally, make sure you provide a suitable reward for the winning team; a pot of gold (coins!) perhaps, or a miniature bottle of whiskey?
Host an Irish Whiskey Tasting
If there’s one thing that just screams St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a glass of smooth, rich Irish whiskey. So why not take your St. Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level by hosting an Irish whiskey tasting?
You will need a selection of different Irish Whiskeys; mix things up by including lesser-known gems alongside well-known brands. Then create an inviting atmosphere by setting up a whiskey tasting station. Arrange the different bottles neatly and provide tasting notes or descriptions for your guests to reference. Include some traditional Irish snacks like soda bread, boxty and barmbrack to complement the whiskey flavours and you’re onto a winner!
Just gather your favourite people together and get ready to unleash your inner Irish spirit with an unforgettable Irish whiskey tasting this St. Patrick’s Day – Sláinte!
We hope you enjoyed reading this post and that our St Patrick’s Day Party ideas have inspired you to celebrate St Patrick’s day to the max! Whether you’re serving shamrock-shaped snacks or hosting a leprechaun-themed scavenger hunt, we’re sure our suggestions will help to bring the luck of the Irish to your celebration.
