If you’ve ever gone out for St. Patrick’s Day, you may have noticed something interesting: many of the biggest parties, bar crawls, and celebrations happen the weekend before March 17th.
So why is that?
The answer comes down to timing, tradition, and one of the biggest party weekends of the year.
St. Patrick’s Day Falls on Different Days Each Year
St. Patrick’s Day is always celebrated on March 17th, but the day of the week changes every year. Some years it falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or another weekday.
When that happens, it can be difficult for people to fully celebrate since they still have work or school the next morning.
That’s why many cities host their largest celebrations the weekend before the holiday. A weekend celebration gives people more time to enjoy the festivities without worrying about early alarms the next day.
Weekends Bring Bigger Crowds and Bigger Celebrations
Weekend celebrations allow more people to participate.
Instead of a short night out after work, the weekend creates an opportunity for larger gatherings like city parades, street festivals, themed parties, and St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls.
Friends can travel in from nearby cities, groups can plan ahead, and nightlife districts can host full-scale events that last throughout the day and into the night.
The result is a bigger and more energetic celebration than a typical weekday night.
The Rise of St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawls
Over the years, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into one of the biggest nightlife weekends of the year.
Rather than staying at one bar all night, many people now join organized St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls that allow them to experience multiple venues throughout the night.
These events often include free entry to participating bars, exclusive drink specials, DJs and live music, themed entertainment, and crowds of people all celebrating together.
It turns what might have been a single-night holiday into a full nightlife experience across an entire district or neighborhood.
If you're curious about why bar crawls have become so popular, you can also read more about what the point of a bar crawl is and why so many people love the experience.
Dressing the Part: Why Everyone Wears Green
Part of the fun of St. Patrick’s Day weekend is dressing the part.
While some people keep it simple with a green shirt, others go all out with shamrock hats, green wigs, leprechaun costumes, Irish flag outfits, glowing accessories, and beads.
The more festive the outfit, the more it adds to the atmosphere of the celebration.
One of the Biggest Party Weekends of the Year
Because of these weekend celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day has grown into one of the most anticipated party weekends of the entire year.
Cities across the country host celebrations that bring together thousands of people looking to enjoy themed drinks, meet new friends, and experience the energy of a once-a-year party atmosphere.
For many people, the best way to experience the holiday is by joining a St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, where multiple venues, music, drink specials, and crowds all come together for one massive celebration.
If you want to see where the next events are happening, check out our upcoming bar crawls and start planning your St. Patrick’s Day weekend now.