St. Patrick’s Day with Caribbean flare in Montserrat.

Traditionally St. Patrick’s Day brings to mind Irish hills and local pubs. But you don’t have to fly to the Emerald Isle to get an authentic St. Patty’s day experience. There are several places, from the warm Caribbean to the rainy UK, around the world who know how to party just as enthusiastically when it comes to celebrating ole St. Pat.

1. Brades, Montserrat

The Caribbean is probably the last place you would have ever imagined you’d be spending St. Patrick’s Day. Time spent in the Caribbean is for getting tan and underwater adventures, right? Chances are you haven’t heard of Brades, Montserrat. Commonly referred to as “the other Emerald Isle,” Montserrat is the only other country to celebrate St. Patty’s Day as a national holiday. And this Caribbean destination takes it very seriously, relegating at least a week to the festivities. During the celebrations, the city comes alive with vibrant green decorations around every corner and a variety of authentic native cuisine.

Brussels Town Hall goes green for the holiday.

2. Brussels, Belgium

Besides their waffles, the Belgians have been known to go all in for St. Patrick’s Day. The yearly parade is surrounded by lots of fanfare. Even the Manneken Pis, Brussels‘ most famous statue, gets in on the action and is dressed in tweed to celebrate. The parade typically takes place in the Schuman area of the EU Quarter in Brussels, also known as the Irish Village.

3. Sydney, Australia

Since the 1700s, St. Patrick’s Day has held a special place in the hearts of the Irish in Australia. In the early days, the festival was celebrated largely among the Irish convicts. As the years went on, the festival gained notoriety and began to be celebrated among the nobles and privileged citizens with formal dinners.

By the early 20th century, St. Patty’s Day as we know it, had begun to form and parades began popping up all around Australia’s most populated cities. Today, St Patrick’s Day has turned into a full blown festival in Sydney, marked by revelry, green beer and parades with floats donning the Irish Flag. The city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day starts at noon this year and is said to be the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade outside of Ireland, right behind New York City.

If parades aren’t your thing, you can also enjoy lots of live entertainment from international music acts in Hyde Park and enjoy the food stalls that line the festivities.

4. London, England

A St. Patrick’s Day in Trafalgar Square is unlike any other. The festivities, which typically begin on a Sunday, are said to have the whole city drunk until at least the next Thursday, which is the day we celebrate this year. The parade boasts a cast of floats, music and festive leprechauns. This year, a food market will offer Irish beef stew cooked on ‘live fire’ by Irish chef John Rellihan, lamb and potato shepherd’s pie from The Pie Cart, Irish brisket from Salt Beef Bros, and fried chicken in Kerrygold butter buns from Butchies.

Chi Town and a green Chicago River.

5. Chicago, Illinois, USA

If you’re a St. Patty’s Day enthusiast, then you know that Chicago is the place to celebrate. The city gets so into the festivities that they dye the Chicago River green! (What other city can say that?!) Each year, the official parade is held on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day and takes over the entire city.