🍀 How many days until St. Patrick's Day?

When is St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick's Day always falls on March 17, a fixed calendar date, so the weekday it lands on changes from year to year. The date marks the traditional day of Saint Patrick's death in the fifth century.

It is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, and it is also observed in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the United States and many other countries it is widely celebrated but is not an official day off.

Who Saint Patrick was

Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Christian missionary who is credited with spreading Christianity across Ireland. According to his own writings, he was born in Roman Britain and was taken to Ireland as a captive in his youth before later returning as a missionary.

Many legends grew around him over the centuries, including the popular story that he used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the Christian Trinity. The tale that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland is symbolic, as the island had no native snakes to begin with.

How St. Patrick's Day is celebrated

The color green is everywhere on the day, and people wear it, decorate with shamrocks, and attend parades. Dublin hosts a large multi-day festival, while cities such as New York, Boston, and Chicago hold some of the biggest celebrations outside Ireland.

Chicago has famously dyed a stretch of its river green for the occasion since 1962. Traditional Irish music, dancing, and food are common, and in the United States corned beef and cabbage has become an associated dish.

Other ways to count

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Patrick's Day a public holiday?

It is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but in the United States and most other countries it is widely celebrated without being an official day off.

What is St. Patrick's Day?

It is a feast day honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, that has grown into a broad celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Green is associated with Ireland, sometimes called the Emerald Isle, and with the shamrock linked to Saint Patrick, so wearing it has become a central custom of the day.

How do I put this countdown on my iPhone?

With NanoCount you can place this countdown as a widget on your Home or Lock Screen. Open the app, create the countdown, then press and hold your Home Screen to add the widget.