10 St. Patrick's Day Traditions to Bring You Good Luck
Look for four-leaf clovers, wear green, and say, "Erin go Bragh!"
By the time March 17 rolls around, most of us are more than ready for a reason to celebrate something! The days are getting a little longer, there's the faintest hint of spring in the air, and you start to see signs of St. Patrick's Day all around. The grocery store stacks up cabbages and brisket, bakeries break out their soda bread, and you realize you probably need to find something green to wear before you get pinched. There are lots of St. Patrick's Day activities you can enjoy together as a family, not just admire from afar. You can spend the evening watching a classic Irish film, set a slow cooker going with corned beef and cabbage, or try your own hand at homemade soda bread, rough edges and all.
There's room for big public celebrations, too! There are parades that take over entire downtown streets, stepdancers who move so quickly you can barely keep up, and the unmistakable sound of bagpipes drifting through the crowd. And then there are the smaller gestures: raising a pint of Guinness after dinner, reading Irish blessings aloud, or breaking out the green foods and green beer just because it makes everyone grin.
If you’re looking to make the most of the day, these St. Patrick's Day traditions are a good place to start. Some are rooted in history, some are purely for fun, and all of them give you a reason to gather, cook, watch, sip, and say loudly, "Erin go Bragh!"
Wear Green
It's time to break out your green duds! Legend has it that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, so aim to wear it head-to-toe to be especially festive, or simply wear a St. Paddy's Day-inspired shirt or some fun accessories to get in the mood.
Read Irish Blessings
With phrases like, "May the leprechauns dance over your bed and bring you sweet dreams," and "May your right hand always be stretched out in friendship and never in want," reading Irish blessings is a sure way to get the warm fuzzies on this holiday.
Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without a hearty serving of corned beef and cabbage! This classic Irish-American dish is as delicious as it is festive, bringing together tender beef, savory cabbage, and comforting potatoes.
Turn Your Beer Green
To transform your brew into a beverage that pays homage to St. Patrick's Day, all you need is an Irish beer and a couple drops of green food coloring. See, it's easy being green!
Attend a St. Patrick's Day Parade
St. Patrick's Day parades are always a big deal, whether you live in a small town that puts one on or reside in a big city like New York or Chicago where the parade is a grand affair. See rivers turned green, spot people in festive costumes, and enjoy watching the floats with your family.
Watch Irish Movies
Grab the popcorn and go green with an Irish movie marathon! From classics like My Left Foot to heartwarming tales like Brooklyn, these films will have you feeling the luck of the Irish with every scene.
Watch Irish Stepdancing
Tap into the rhythm of Ireland with some classic Irish stepdancing! From Riverdance to local performances, these high-energy dances will have you tapping your feet to beloved Irish tunes in no time.
Make Irish Soda Bread
There's something so filling and satisfying about Irish soda bread, and you can make it a tradition each and every St. Patrick's Day. Try serving it alongside that stick-to-your-ribs corned beef and cabbage.
Sip a Guinness
Here's a tradition for the grown-ups! Sip a Guinness (or any Irish beer) after dinner, or try a twist on the tradition by making some truly delicious Guinness brownies.
Say 'Erin go Bragh'
Translating to "Ireland forever," this Irish phrase is commonly said on the Emerald Isle, and you can bring the words stateside by making it a tradition to say to people throughout the day.
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