St. Patrick’s Day in NYC

As the saying goes, everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Find your inner leprechaun and put something green to come celebrate this year in New York City. Each year on March 17, the death day of Saint Patrick, the city comes alive and goes green. The festivities surrounding this date officially commemorate Saint Patrick, and the subsequent arrival of Christianity in Ireland; however, it is also a festival known for embracing all things Irish with a few pints of Guinness.

NB: It’s best to check with individual venus regarding Covid restrictions ahead of time.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of a kind event and a grand tradition in New York. Each and every year, the parade is held in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. The epic parade joins approximately 150,000 people who march in the parade and about 2 million spectators.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade dates back to March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. Legend has it that the first NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was composed of a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members. The first parade took place at a time when wearing green, which was a sign of being Irish (and proud) was prohibited in Ireland. The parade represented an opportunity for those Irishmen and women who were out of their home country to revel in their culture, language and traditions. The enjoyment lives on!

March 17, 2022

11 am

The Parade begins on 5th Avenue at 44th Street. It ends on 5th Avenue uptown at 79th Street.

There’s no moment quite like St. Patrick’s Day to visit the famed crypts beneath The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral or St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. The land where the church now stands was originally to be used as a cemetery, but the church changed its mind and instead built the present day cathedral. However, many of the church’s members have been entered in crypts beneath the edifice. There are tours available, such as this one from Fiverup.com, that offer guided trips down into the crypt with historical explanations.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

5th Avenue (between 50th/51st Streets)

New York, NY 10022

A good pint or better yet a glass of Irish whiskey is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day cheer. Come celebrate the occasion with Irish Whisky class at The Flatiron Room on St. Patrick ‘s Day. The robust class includes a welcome cocktail and snack, and the main event, a whiskey sommelier who will guide the class through a tasting of six different Irish whiskeys. The class costs $125 and is roughly an hour and a half in duration. Register in advance.

Thursday, March 17, at 6:30pm

The Flatiron Room

37 W 26th St

New York, NY 10010

The Irish Arts Center hosts an annual Irish Open Day festival on Sunday, March 13. The event promises fun for all ages with Irish music, dancing, crafting and tea time. In addition to spectatorship, participants can get in on the fun with mini-workshops that include, learn to play the tin whistle, face painting, tap dancing and more.

12pm Sunday, March 13, 2022

For music aficionados, St. Patrick’s Day presents an opportunity to enjoy a three-night celebration of Irish American musical traditions, also at the Irish Arts Center. The Bluegrass Situation presents this year’s musical extravaganza with headlining musician Jake Blount, an award-winning banjoist, fiddler, singer, and scholar specializing in the music of Black and Indigenous communities in the southeastern United States. Purchase tickets in advance.

8pm Thur March 17 – Sunday March 19, 2022

Irish Arts Center

726 11th Avenue

New York, NY 10019

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Our rooms are spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.

*Due to Covid-19 our restaurant, cafe and gym will remain closed for a time.