Get ready to paint the town green and embrace the luck of the Irish with our ultimate St. Patrick's Day party ideas. Whether you're Irish by blood or just Irish at heart, St. Patrick's Day is the perfect excuse to gather your friends and family for a day of festive fun.
In this guide, we'll share everything you need to know to throw a memorable St. Patrick's Day bash, from Irish-inspired decor to St. Patrick’s Day food ideas and drink inspiration. So, grab your shamrocks and leprechaun hats, and let's make this St. Patrick's Day celebration one to remember!
What and when is St. Patrick’s Day?
What and when is St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. While it originally commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, the date has become a celebration of Irish culture and heritage as a whole. Green outfits and décor are common sights at this time of year. Many people throw or attend St. Patrick’s Day parties and some towns and cities also host St. Patrick’s Day parades.
St. Patrick’s Day party ideas
Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering with friends or a lively soiree for the whole neighborhood, our tips and ideas will help you create an atmosphere of Irish charm. From St. Patrick’s Day décor to tasty snacks and drinks, take a look at our party ideas below.
Décor
Green is the color of choice for any St. Patrick’s Day party, so embrace these traditional colors by injecting a touch of the Emerald Isle into your décor. Accents such as green tableware can add instant St. Paddy’s Day style to your party, particularly our Greenwich, Statements, and Elements Fern Green collections. Feel free to combine your shades of green or mix green tableware with other neutral pieces. You could also add lucky touches of gold with our Porcelain Stars tableware to represent the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Plants are fantastic for adding some natural greenery to your décor and are more sustainable than plastic St. Patrick’s Day decorations. Foliage can be transformed into wreaths and garlands for use around your party space, such as your dining table or mantelpiece. You could also make a floral centerpiece using seasonal spring blooms in St. Patrick’s Day colors, such as white, yellow, and orange tulips.
Alongside a green color scheme, be sure to decorate with plenty of shamrocks and rainbows. You could make your own paper streamers and garlands or buy some from your local party supplies store. These look great hung across walls or along the edge of your table.
Food
Your St. Patrick’s Day party menu is the perfect place to celebrate Irish culture, so why not try making one or two of these traditional Irish dishes to serve to your guests?
- Soda bread: No St. Patrick's Day celebration is complete without a loaf of freshly baked Irish soda bread. This quick and easy bread is made with simple ingredients like flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt, resulting in a dense and slightly sweet loaf that pairs perfectly with butter and jam or savory dishes.
- Irish stew: Warm up your guests with a hearty Irish stew, made with tender chunks of lamb or beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, and herbs, braised slowly in a cast iron pot. Serve it with crusty bread or soda bread for a comforting meal. You can also add a touch of stout for an extra Irish twist.
- Shepherd's pie: A traditional Irish dish consisting of seasoned ground meat (usually lamb, or beef for a cottage pie) topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked in an oven dish until golden brown. It's a hearty and satisfying option for St. Patrick's Day dinner.
- Colcannon: A traditional Irish side dish made with mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, and butter. The cabbage is sometimes replaced by scallions to make a similar dish called champ. Both are rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, making either of them a delicious addition to any St. Patrick's Day meal.
- Boxty: Try your hand at making traditional Irish potato pancakes known as boxty. Made with grated potatoes, flour, and buttermilk, these savory pancakes are pan-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve them with sour cream and chives for a delicious St. Patrick's Day appetizer or side dish.
Treats, desserts & snacks
If you’re hosting a less formal St. Patrick’s Day party, or want to have some extra treats on hand, these St. Patrick’s Day treats, desserts, and snacks are bound to hit the spot.
- Rainbow platter: Fill a serving platter with a rainbow of snacks and vegetables, such as crackers, carrots, slices of bell pepper, cucumber slices, grapes, and blueberries. Add a ramekin of yellow cherry tomatoes or chopped yellow bell pepper to create the pot of gold.
- Rainbow fruit skewers: Thread colorful fruit slices onto skewers in the order of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) for a healthy and eye-catching St. Patrick's Day dessert option.
- Shamrock sugar cookies: Whip up a batch of classic sugar cookies flavored with vanilla extract. Cut them into shamrock shapes using cookie cutters and bake until golden brown. Once cooled, drizzle them with a thin almond glaze made with powdered sugar, almond extract, a splash of milk, and green food coloring. Simple and delicious!
- White chocolate shamrock bark: Melt white chocolate and spread it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle green food coloring on top then swirl it into the white chocolate with a toothpick. Add any topping you like, such as chopped almonds, marshmallows, or candy-coated chocolate pieces. Once set, break the bark up and serve as a sweet St. Patrick's Day snack.
- St. Patrick’s Day cookies: Add some St. Patty’s Day fun to your usual cookie recipe by swapping your chocolate chips with some Irish-themed marshmallows like in the image above.
- Irish cream cupcakes: It wouldn’t be a St. Patrick’s Day without a drop of Irish cream liqueur. Indulge your sweet tooth with decadent chocolate cupcakes topped with a sweet and delicious Irish cream frosting. Garnish with chocolate shavings or green sprinkles.
- Green velvet cupcakes: Put a twist on traditional red velvet cupcakes by using green food coloring to create green velvet cupcakes. Top them with cream cheese frosting and green sprinkles for a St. Patrick’s Day touch.
- Green mint cheesecake: For a truly showstopping dessert, prepare a green mint cheesecake by adding mint extract and green food dye to a plain cheesecake recipe. Add extra indulgence by swapping your biscuit base for chocolate cookies and finish with a chocolate drizzle.
- Key lime pie: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a North American twist by whipping up this naturally green dessert.
Drinks
Of course, no St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without some refreshments. From classic Irish libations to refreshing mocktails, raise a glass and toast to the spirit of St. Patrick's Day with these flavorful and festive drinks. Be sure to take a look at our cocktail garnish ideas for decoration inspiration. Cheers to the luck of the Irish!
Alcoholic drinks
- Stout: A St. Patrick’s Day staple, toast to the occasion with a glass of dry stout that's rich, robust, and full of flavor.
- Irish coffee: Combine hot brewed coffee with Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream. Serve in a mug for a cozy and indulgent St. Patrick's Day treat.
- Irish mule: Put a Celtic twist on the classic Moscow mule by substituting vodka with Irish whiskey. Mix your whiskey with ginger beer, lime juice, and ice in a lowball glass and garnish with a lime wedge for a refreshing and spirited St Patrick’s Day cocktail.
- Shamrock shake martini: Blend vanilla ice cream, milk, and green food coloring until smooth, then add a splash of crème de menthe liqueur and vodka. Serve in a tall glass and top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for a festive and creamy martini that's reminiscent of the popular fast-food milkshake. To make a non-alcoholic version, swap the crème de menthe for mint extract.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Lime sherbet punch: Combine lime sherbet, lemon-lime soda, and pineapple juice in a serving bowl for a fizzy and refreshing non-alcoholic beverage that's perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Feel free to add a drop of green food dye for an extra pop of color and flavor, and garnish with rainbow sour belts.
- Green apple sparkler: Mix equal parts sparkling water and ginger ale with a splash of green apple syrup for a vibrant and refreshing mocktail. Garnish with apple slices, mint leaves, or a maraschino cherry for added flair.
- Mint iced tea: Brew a pitcher of your favorite iced tea and add fresh mint leaves for a refreshing and minty twist. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon for a simple and thirst-quenching beverage.
From themed St. Patrick’s Day décor to delicious food and drinks, creating an unforgettable St. Patrick's Day party is all about the details. And with the right tableware, including festive plates, glasses, and serveware, you can elevate the atmosphere and bring the luck of the Irish to every aspect of your gathering. Whether you're raising a glass of stout or tucking into a bowl of Irish stew, may your St. Patrick's Day be filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of good company. For even more hosting and party tips, take a look at our other guides and how tos.