When is St. Patrick’s Day?
March 17. Here is the date, the background and what to know before you make plans.
Next St. Patrick’s Day
Wednesday, March 17, 2027St. Patrick’s Day dates, 2026–2031
Rule: March 17.
What’s open on St. Patrick’s Day
| Service | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Banks | Open Open (regular hours) |
| Post Office / Mail delivery | Open Open (regular delivery) |
| Stock market (NYSE, Nasdaq) | Open Open (regular trading day) |
| Federal & most state government offices | Open |
| Public schools | Open Open (a state holiday only in Massachusetts’s Suffolk County, tied to Evacuation Day) |
St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday, so banks, the post office, the stock market and most government offices operate normally across the country. Individual banks, school districts and employers can still make their own call, so confirm directly if a closure affects an important errand or appointment. Check any date with the holiday status checker.
The story behind St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious feast day honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Irish immigrants brought the observance to America, and the first known parade was held in New York City in 1762, more than a decade before the American Revolution.
The holiday grew into a broader celebration of Irish-American heritage over the 19th and 20th centuries, as large waves of Irish immigrants settled in cities like Boston, New York and Chicago and used the day to publicly celebrate their identity at a time when they faced significant discrimination.
How it’s celebrated
Modern celebrations include parades in nearly every major U.S. city, the wearing of green, and Chicago’s tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green, which began in 1962. Corned beef and cabbage, though more of an Irish-American dish than a traditionally Irish one, remains a signature meal for the day.
The shamrock became associated with the holiday because St. Patrick is said to have used the three-leafed plant to explain the Christian Holy Trinity to pagan Ireland.
A cultural observance, not a public-office holiday
St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated but does not create a federal closure. Banks, mail, markets, government offices and most schools use their normal weekday schedules unless another local condition applies.
Major parades and festivals may close streets or change transit service, sometimes on a weekend rather than March 17. Check the organizer and transit agency before planning a route.
St. Patrick’s Day planning checklist
- Before the date: Confirm whether the local parade occurs on March 17 or a nearby weekend.
- Check locally: Review street closures, parking restrictions and transit changes.
- For travel: Book busy restaurants and events in advance.
- Final check: Do not assume schools, banks or government offices are closed.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Patrick’s Day always March 17?
Yes. Parades and public events may use another nearby date.
Is it a federal holiday?
No. It is a cultural and religious observance, not a U.S. federal holiday.
Are banks and USPS open?
They normally follow their regular schedule unless another holiday or local closure applies.
Why is green associated with the day?
Green became strongly associated with Irish identity and modern public celebrations.
When is St. Patrick’s Day in 2027?
It is Wednesday, March 17, 2027.
Sources and how we check
Federal holiday dates and observed-day rules follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Market dates follow the NYSE holiday calendar; bank dates follow the Federal Reserve. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.