Back in the 1600s, the Catholic Church decided to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland by creating a feast called St. Patrick’s Day. Over the years, the feast has turned into a grand festival known affectionately to the entire world as St. Paddy’s Day.

New York City is home to one of the biggest and most storied Irish-American communities, and New York Irish put on an unparalleled party when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around. Two million spectators crowd the streets to catch a glimpse of The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which features 150,000 marchers from social and country clubs, police and fire squads, and American and Irish bands.

The parade might be the main New York City St. Patrick's Day 2019 event, but it’s far from the only one. Green-clad New Yorkers pound shots of Jameson at authentic Irish pubs like McSorley’s Old Ale House, Stout NYC, and Wilfie & Nell as they take part in one of March 17th’s many St. Paddy’s Day bar crawls.

The scope of New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations means that there’s more to do than just drink the day away. Sober St. Patrick’s Day at Regis High School offers celebrants an opportunity to trade Guinness for soda as they enjoy the fancy footwork of Irish dancers.

The Big Apple offers big and small soirees that meet the desires of the diverse New York City population on St. Patrick’s Day.