St. Patrick’s Day in Florida – Where To Celebrate!

Every year, people worldwide watch the parade and enjoy a cozy dinner of corned beef and cabbage afterward on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day in Florida is no exception; the celebrations take on a new level. Various activities occur across Florida, including Music, Irish dancing, food, drinks, pub parties, and highland games. This article will share where to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Florida. Along with all the other stuff you need to know, like what to wear, what to expect, and the history behind the green beer day!

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St. Patrick’s Day Background and History

St. Patrick’s Day begins with a real person who lived more than 1,000 years ago. The fifth century saw a British man named Patrick visiting Ireland to spread Christianity. During his travels through Ireland, he explained the Holy Trinity using three-leaf clover leaves to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. St. Patrick’s Day celebrations still use shamrocks today because they are the national flower of Ireland. The date of St. Patrick’s death became a national holiday in Ireland on March 17, 461 A.D.

Since 1631, Saint Patrick’s Day has been a holy feast honoring the missionary who spread Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Catholics attended mass in the morning and celebrated modest feasts in the afternoon on March 17, a day of solemnity in Ireland for several centuries. 

When Irish-born soldiers serving in the British Army marched through lower Manhattan to a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at a local tavern in 1762, they started the storied green tradition of America’s largest and longest St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Since then, most major cities in America have taken up the tradition of holding a St. Patrick’s Day parade or event every year. The largest celebrations outside of Ireland are the parades held in New York City, Florida, and Boston. Besides Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Russia also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Why Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

First of all, why not? Everyone enjoys a good celebration, and this one brings thousands of people together annually. 

Historically, the Irish have celebrated this day as a religious holiday. Traditionally, Irish families would attend church on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day and celebrate the afternoon. St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian season of Lent. There were no prohibitions during Lent, so people danced, drank, and feasted on Irish ham and cabbage. This dish took on its own life in America as corned beef and cabbage because corned beef was a less expensive alternative.

The holiday and some of its traditions are myths, not real. For instance, you’ll often see the four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick, however, used a three-leaf clover, or shamrock, in his teachings. Even though a shamrock can grow the fourth leaf, a four-leaf clover is just considered a symbol of good luck. According to another legend, St. Patrick chased away all the snakes from Ireland. There was no evidence that this happened.

St. Patrick’s Day evolved in the 20th century into a party day for Americans of all ethnicities. Today’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are greatly influenced by those that developed among the Irish, particularly in North America. Yet, people all over celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; the events are more extensive than those in Ireland. That is until the late 20th century when Ireland joined in the fun.

How Do People Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the World, especially by Irish communities and organizations. It is common for people to wear green clothing on this day. Green food color is used to dye Irish food and drinks for this celebration.  It is the perfect time to enjoy a pint of beer at the local pub or a pint of Guinness. Irish food and beverages are available at events that celebrate St. Patricks Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17, the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century. St. Patrick’s Day was on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

The Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted daily. Consequently, drinking alcohol – particularly Irish whiskey, beer, and cider – is integral to the celebrations. The St. Patrick’s Day custom of “drowning the shamrock” or “wetting the shamrock” is historically popular. It is traditional to put a shamrock into the bottom of a cup, which is then filled with whiskey, beer, or cider at the end of the celebrations – especially in Ireland.

Traditions Of St. Patrick’s Day

It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish; everyone can enjoy the fun St. Patrick’s Day events. Most people wearing “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” shirts aren’t Irish, after all! Aside from parades, traditional Irish music performances and dancing events is the norm. Even though you can drink green beer or green cocktails all day, a pint of Guinness is a good idea, given it’s Irish. Or, if you want to celebrate at church in Ireland, wear your Sunday best; Sunday is still recognized as a holy day in Ireland. 

Green is the theme because of the shamrock tradition: shamrock-shaped cookies, green cupcakes, green beer, or Irish car bomb shots. And people dress in green and decorate events in green!  If you don’t drink, you can join the Sober St. Patrick’s Day movement and participate in one of the many events thrown around the country that aim to celebrate Irish culture and St. Patrick’s legacy. It does not have to be a drink fest to celebrate.

All events, sober or otherwise, include traditional instruments like the fiddle and accordion, watching Irish dancing, and more. Here are some common traditions celebrated here in the States:

• Drink a Green Beer
• Drink Guinness
• Make St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
• Have an Irish Movie Marathon
• Participate in a Fun Run
• Attend a St. Patricks Day Parade
• Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage
• Wear a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” Shirt (or others; there are tons)
• Douse yourself in an endless supply of green beads – just like the ones at Mardigras
• Bake Festive Green Desserts
• Sing Folk Songs
• Learn or Watch Irish Dancing
• Quote the cheesy Irish sayings
• Wear a green hat or a green outfit

Clothing Traditions Of St. Patrick’s Day

It’s not mandatory, but you should wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is one way to avoid getting pinched by leprechauns! Folklore says that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who like to pinch anyone they see. Wearing green is also believed to bring good luck; some wear it to honor their Irish heritage. It’s widespread to wear a comical t-shirt in honor of the event.

St Patrick’s Day Shirts

St. Patrick’s Day Parade In Florida

Nothing is better than overeating on St. Patrick’s Day and having a good time. Floridians will also be flocking to their nearest St. Paddy’s Day events, with $5.6 billion expected to be spent during the green-saturated holiday. There are usually public parades and festivals, Irish traditional music sessions (céilithes), and green outfits or shamrocks worn at celebrations. Thousands of people participate in the parade wearing green.

It’s no secret that Florida is home to some of the most vibrant Irish celebrations, and Tampa ranks fifth on Wallethub’s list of best places to get lost in the Irish bands, bagpipes, and gallons of beer.

It doesn’t matter if you are a big fan of spicy corned beef or like endless fizzy beer; there are a dozen ways to embrace your inner Irish at one of these Florida St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Where To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day In Florida?

While St. Patrick’s Day and Florida aren’t often mentioned together, the Sunshine State is full of things to do ― and the state has historical ties to the celebration. For example, every year, the Chicago River in Illinois is dyed green to celebrate the holiday, so it’s no wonder there are green decorations everywhere. On St. Patrick’s Day, many Irish Americans in the United States gather in droves to celebrate. So let’s get on with where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Florida.

Mayor’s River O’Green Fest – Tampa

It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss: the Hillsborough River will turn green. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park hosts the Mayor’s River O-Green Fest. From local restaurant foods and live entertainment, the City of Tampa offers leprechauns of all ages a family-friendly event.

Frequently Asked Questions: About St. Patrick’s Day

When is St. Patrick’s Day?

Every year on March 17, people all over the World celebrate St. Patrick’s day.

When is St. Patrick’s Day 2023?

Friday, March 17th, 2023

What is there to do in Orlando for St Patrick’s Day?

Locals and tourists of Orlando celebrate St. Patrick’s day in Orlando at various events. Different places in Orlando arrange multiple festivals and events to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day. The people of Orlando attend other events, eat tasty Irish foods, try green beer, wear green dresses, and celebrate the day like nowhere else.

Does Disney do anything for St. Patrick’s Day?

Yes, Disney celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with several events. The festival offers face painting, dancing, live entertainment, and traditional Irish food and drink. Before or after St. Patrick’s Day, Raglan Road does not accept reservations.

Where is St Patrick’s Day Celebrated in Florida?

In Florida, there is a big celebration of St. Patrick’s day. People all over Florida enjoy St Patrick’s day. Although it is an Irish festival, people all over the World celebrate the day. Different parks and cities arrange events and music festivals to celebrate the day. Some places people like celebrating St. Patrick’s Day are Sarasota, Orlando, and Hollywood Disney.  

Where is the biggest St Patrick’s Day celebration?

In New York City, about two million spectators attend the parade and accompanying debauchery for the World’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Closing Thoughts

St. Patrick’s Day symbolizes bravery, Irish tradition, and the celebration of green. Today, people all over the World celebrate the day. Why celebrate St. Patricks’s day in Florida? Because St. Patrick’s Day in Florida is just as authentic and traditional as in the bigger cities!

Looking for more seasonal things to do in Florida? Start here:

• 100 Plus Things To Do In Central Florida This Fall – 2022
• 500 Plus Irish Blessings, Proverbs, Toasts, and More!
• Christmas Markets in Florida
• Christmas in Orlando – 50 Plus Free Things To Do
• Florida’s Christmas Markets – The Complete List Of Them All
• ICE at Gaylord Palms – Orlando, Florida
• Ice Skating in Orlando
• July 4 In Florida – Where To Celebrate 
• Passover in Florida – Where To Celebrate
• Valentine’s Day In Florida
• Where To See Snow In Florida

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