Two Pennsylvania Cities Listed Among Best in the Nation for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Pennsylvania

As St. Patrick’s Day swiftly approaches this Sunday, consider celebrating in one of the two Pennsylvania cities that have been ranked among the best places for this popular Irish holiday.

Pennsylvania Cities Rank High for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

The personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its rankings for the “Best US Cities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day”. Among the top 200 cities, Pittsburgh shines bright, ranking No. 5 and also clinching the fifth position for the highest percentage of the Irish population.

The scoring for the best cities was carried out of 100 total points, considering factors such as St. Patrick’s Day traditions, local weather on the day, safety and accessibility, and costs associated with celebrating.

St. Patrick’s Day: A Cultural Holiday for All

“St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of the Irish, but it’s evolved to become a beloved cultural holiday for millions of Americans, irrespective of their heritage,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe said in a news release. “The optimum cities for St. Patrick’s Day amalgamate rich traditions, affordable and delicious food, safe conditions, and favorable weather. If you choose to celebrate in one of these cities, it will enhance the likelihood of a memorable holiday, provided you don’t over-indulge.”

Here’s a quick glance at how these Pennsylvania cities performed on the top 200 list:

• Pittsburgh, ranking No. 5, with a total score of 63.31
• Philadelphia, ranking No. 12, with a total score of 59.81

History of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally celebrated on March 17 to honor the missionary Saint Patrick, the principal patron saint of Ireland, who was born in Great Britain. The participants of the Irish holiday usually dress in green, a color that symbolizes rebellious Irish nationalism. There’s a myth that people wearing green become invisible to leprechauns, whereas those not wearing green could get a pinch from the leprechaun.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades: A Tradition

Even though the earliest recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601, New York’s parade is considered the oldest and largest as it stretches over a mile up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Find the full report from WalletHub here.