How Is St Patrick’s Day Celebrated in America?
In 2024, total expenditure spent marking St. Patrick’s Day in the United States hit $7.2 billion, after a 4.3% annual increase from the previous year. This is as the percentage of US adults celebrating the occasion also rose to a record-high 62%.
Understanding how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated and consumers’ top buys to commemorate the festive affair provides key insights that can benefit businesses’ marketing and sales efforts. By tapping into these consumer behaviors, brands can better tailor their offerings to meet the demand associated with this vibrant holiday. In this article, we’ll explore how St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in America.
How do people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: table
|
Activity |
Percentage of Americans celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in 2024 by doing the following |
|
1. Wear green |
82% |
|
2. Make a special dinner |
29% |
|
3. Attend a party at a bar/restaurant |
27% |
|
4. Decorate home or office |
26% |
|
5. Attend a private party |
16% |
|
6. Attend a parade |
15% |
|
7. Host a party |
12% |
How does America celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (2024)
So, how is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in America?
In 2024, St. Patrick’s Day saw a diverse range of festivities across the US. Wearing green was the most popular way to mark the event, with 82% of participants dressing up in green attire to show their festive spirit. This tradition has deep roots, symbolizing both Irish identity and the lush landscape of Ireland. Many retailers recognized this and capitalized on it by offering a wide range of green-themed clothing and accessories, making it easy for consumers to participate in this visible tradition.
Food plays a central role in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and 29% of Americans chose to prepare a special dinner this year. Traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and soda bread were common culinary choices. Many restaurants also featured special St. Patrick’s Day menus, contributing to the increased attendance at bars and restaurants, where 27% of Americans marked the holiday. This highlights a significant opportunity for food and beverage businesses to attract customers with themed offerings and promotions.
Decorating homes or offices was another popular activity, with 26% of Americans celebrating by adorning their spaces with St. Patrick’s Day decorations. This high participation suggests a lucrative market for seasonal home décor items.
As many as 16% of people attended private parties, while 15% joined public parades. Hosting gatherings was also a notable way to observe the day, with 12% of Americans organizing their own get-togethers.
How do people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: top expenditures in 2024
|
St. Patrick’s Day 2024 top expenditures |
Percentage of Americans that purchased the following |
|
1. Food |
52% |
|
2. Beverages |
44% |
|
3. Apparel or accessories |
32% |
|
4. Decorations |
25% |
|
5. Candy |
17% |
|
6. Greeting cards |
8% |
|
7. Gifts |
5% |
|
8. Other |
1% |
How is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated in terms of purchases?
In 2024, food was the top expenditure for St. Patrick’s Day, with 52% of celebrants spending on festive foods, emphasizing communal meals and traditional Irish cuisine. Beverages followed closely, with 44% of participants shopping for drinks like Irish whiskey and green-tinted cocktails.
Apparel and accessories were significant purchases as well—32% of festive-goers bought green clothing and themed items. Decorations were purchased by 25% of those celebrating, while 17% bought candy to share at parties and parades. Meanwhile, 8% of participants spent on greeting cards, 5% acquired small gifts, and 1% bought other miscellaneous items.