Taking place every March 17th, Saint Patrick’s Day might have started out as a religious holiday, but over time it’s become a yearly celebration of Irish culture!
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was a missionary and bishop who is believed to have converted thousands to Christianity in the 5th century. What began as a feast day in honour of Saint Patrick has grown into a secular celebration of all things Irish featuring parades and festivals all over the world. In fact, the huge Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations we’re familiar with today didn’t actually begin in Ireland, but instead in North America, where Irish immigrants would organize events as a show of national pride.
Fun fact: Montreal’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade has been a yearly staple since 1824 (it hadn’t skipped a single year until the pandemic!) and remains one of the largest celebrations in all of North America.
Why Wear Green?
Even though Saint Patrick himself is tied to the colour blue, wearing green has become one of the most recognizable Saint Paddy’s tropes, having begun with Irish Americans decking themselves out in green to reflect Ireland’s landscape and flag as well as the shamrock, its national symbol.
There’s also a popular American myth that says that wearing green will make you invisible to leprechauns, which will pinch you as soon as they lay eyes on you! We’ll get back to you as soon as we confirm or deny this, but keep an eye out just in case.
And it’s not just about clothes– green decorations are super popular as well. Even the Chicago River is dyed green every year to honour Saint Patrick’s Day!
We all know that certain Saint Paddy’s traditions aren’t the most kid-friendly, but there are tons of fun ways to make the holiday an all-ages family celebration! Check out some activities that your kids will absolutely love:
St Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
Kids can join a virtual class hosted by Mary’s Paint Party to learn how to make a Saint Paddy’s-themed painting!
March 17 | 3 – 4pm EST | $
Green Mac & Cheese
This Tiny Chefs cooking class will teach kids how to make mac & cheese with a green twist!
March 17 | 4:30 – 5:30pm EST | $
You can also click right here to see our FULL LIST of exciting Saint Paddy’s activities!
