St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday expected to generate about $5.9 billion in spending in the United States, has strong roots in the Northeast despite its Irish origins.
WalletHub evaluated 200 of the country’s largest cities to determine which destinations deliver the best St. Patrick’s Day experiences for visitors. The study used 17 metrics, including the number of Irish pubs and restaurants per capita, the frequency of festivals and parties, ticket prices, beer prices, Irish population share, weather, and safety measures tied to DUI-related incidents.
Chicago emerged as the overall top city, with Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and New York City completing the Top 5. While Chicago ranked highest overall, it did not lead every individual category.
Specific category winners include Pittsburgh for the highest percentage of residents reporting Irish ancestry, and New York City for the most Irish pubs and restaurants per capita. Savannah ranks highest for festivals and parties per capita, while Orlando offers the lowest average ticket price for St. Patrick’s Day events. Oklahoma City has the lowest average beer prices during the holiday, and New York City reports the fewest DUI-related fatalities per capita over the St. Patrick’s Day period. For favorable holiday weather, Glendale, Arizona ranks best.
These findings give travelers a clearer picture of where they can expect lively celebrations, reasonable costs, and safer conditions during St. Patrick’s Day. Cities with large Irish communities and abundant nightlife tend to score highly on measures of culture and entertainment, while others stand out for affordability or pleasant weather. When planning a trip, consider which factors matter most—festivities, price, or public-safety indicators—to choose the destination that fits your priorities.