An annual celebration of Irish identity, St. Patrick’s Day has been a cause for celebration and controversy across the country (see Irish Canadians). The History of St. Patrick's Day? Over the centuries, St. Patrick's Day has evolved from a solemn religious observance to a global celebration of Irish culture, marked by parades, music and festivities. St. Patrick's Day began as a religious feast day in Ireland in the early 17th century, established by the Catholic Church. The history of St. Patrick’s Day in Canada dates back to March 17, 1759, when Irish soldiers stationed in the British army celebrated the day to mark their Irish roots. Over the years, the celebration has evolved and grown, with Canadians of all backgrounds joining in to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. Montréal is a city that prides itself on its multicultural vibrancy, where diverse communities coexist harmoniously and contribute to the city’s unique character. As we approach the 200th Montréal St. Patrick's Day Parade, there's no better time to come together and celebrate the rich history and cultural diversity that defines our beloved city. Here’s why you should mark your calendars St. Patrick's Day in Canada is one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations of the year, and 2025 promises to be no exception. Falling on Monday, March 17, 2025 , this year’s festivities will span the weekend, offering Canadians plenty of opportunities to celebrate Irish heritage. Top Ways Canadians Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Across Canada, people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in various fun and festive ways: Attending parades – Major cities like Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax host large parades where people show their Irish pride. Montreal’s parade dates back to 1824 and attracts hundreds of thousands of Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade first started on Saint-Paul Street in 1824, and a couple centuries later, this annual tradition is still going strong. "The history of the parade is really the Today, March 17, is a widely known and celebrated holiday: Saint Patrick’s Day. It was originally only observed in Ireland and has been celebrated for the last 1,500 years. Although in Canada In 1600, led by Irish vicar Ricardo Artur- (born Richard Arthur-he was after all an Irishman in a Spanish city), St Augustine held the first recorded St Patrick’s Day celebration. A year later in St Augustine once again, was the world’s first recorded St Patrick’s Day Parade. Now after 424 years, the celebration continues as the parade The St. Patrick's Day celebrations we recognize today are actually a product of Irish immigrants in America. Parades sprung up in major U.S. cities in the 1700s, including Boston and New York City. The first-ever St. Patrick's Day parade in the U.S. took place in Boston in 1737, with New York following in 1762, according to the History Channel. Do People in Ireland Celebrate St. Patrick's Day? St. Patrick’s Day: History, Traditions & Fun Facts St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated cultural and religious holidays around the world. What started as a solemn feast day in honor of Ireland’s patron saint has transformed into a global festival filled with parades, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green. Spanish colonial records mentioned a celebration for Saint Patrick in 1600 and the first known St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601. Advertisement St. Patrick’s Day in Canada. Canada has a long history of Irish immigration, and cities across the country celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with vibrant parades, pub events, and cultural festivities. Montreal is home to one of the longest-running St. Patrick’s Day parades in North America, dating back to 1824! It’s nearly St. Patrick’s Day! In Toronto, people celebrate the holiday on March 17th all day long with drinks, music, gatherings and of course, green outfits. Like most holidays, there’s a history and story behind the special day. Not only are we going to dive into the story behind Saint Patrick’s Day, but also its history in Toronto. All of these places other than Ireland itself have a large Irish population. Other than these, St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated all over the United States and is a public holiday. 3. Some Weird Facts About St. Patrick’s Day 3.1. Technically You Shouldn’t Drink Beer on St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day revolves around food and What is St Patrick’s Day? St Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, honors St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, who brought Christianity to the island in the 5th century. Known as the “Apostle of Ireland,” his legacy inspires St Patrick’s Day trivia that captivates quiz lovers worldwide. Among the wave of humanity that came to Canada in the 19th century were hundreds of thousands of Irish, some of whom ended up in our communities and, in so doing, helped shape them. As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it’s perhaps a good time to reflect on the early emigrant experience of the Irish. Their story is one of tragedy and Historical roots of St. Patrick’s Day in Canada. Celebrated on March 17th each year, St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in the 4th century, Patrick was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 and spent several years in captivity before escaping and returning to Britain. St. Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture that takes place annually on March 17, the anniversary of the patron saint of Ireland's death in the fifth century. The holiday has
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |