Mirella Pandjaitan
Mar 16, 2026
Leave it to the Irish to turn a feast day into a global party.
What began as a modest religious observance in Ireland in 1631 has travelled far beyond the Emerald Isle, evolving into one of the world’s most cheerful cultural celebrations. Today, St. Patrick's Day unfolds across continents, including lively pockets of Asia where Irish expats, locals, and curious travellers gather for a bit of festive craic (fun).
The day honours Saint Patrick, the fifth-century missionary credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Observed annually on 17th March, the occasion officially became a public holiday in Ireland in 1903. Over time, it evolved into a broader celebration of Irish culture, complete with music, hearty food, dancing, and of course, plenty of pints.
Why the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day
Not everyone celebrating St. Patrick’s Day has Irish roots — and that’s precisely the point.
Over the years, the holiday has evolved into a joyful global celebration of Irish culture and community. Much like Halloween, its appeal lies in the shared experience: lively parades, traditional food, music, and the easy camaraderie of a festival that welcomes everyone.
In other words, you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the festivities. You just have to show up, preferably wearing something green, and be ready for a bit of craic!
Across Asia, cities have embraced the spirit in their own distinctive ways.
A river runs green in Singapore
St. Patrick’s Day unfolds over several lively days. The celebrations begin with the elegant St. Patrick’s Day Ball, hosted by the long-established St Patrick's Society Singapore, founded in 1925. The following evening, the festivities spill into the streets during the Singapore St Patrick's Day Parade, one of Southeast Asia’s largest celebrations of the holiday. Revellers dressed head-to-toe in emerald green sing, dance, and parade through the city.
Singapore embraces the occasion wholeheartedly with lively street events, green-lit landmarks, and celebrations that cater to both families and the city’s buzzing nightlife scene. Restaurants and Irish pubs serve up classics like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, Guinness pie, and bangers and mash, while the Singapore River turns an unmistakable shade of green for the occasion.
Grandeur and notable celebration in Malaysia
The festivities reach an impressive scale. The St Patrick's Society of Selangor has organised celebrations since 1925, including the renowned St. Patrick’s Ball. Widely regarded as one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day balls outside Ireland and the United States, the event blends Irish hospitality with Kuala Lumpur’s cosmopolitan flair. Across the city’s Irish pubs, menus feature creative twists such as Guinness-smoked beef ribs, Guinness-Bailey’s desserts, and generous pours of the iconic stout.
Green meets Holi in India
St. Patrick’s Day sometimes coincides with Holi in India. Talk about an ecstatic crossover of celebrations. Landmarks like the Gateway of India illuminate in green, while Irish pubs across Mumbai welcome crowds eager for live music, dancing, and classic Irish comfort food, such as boxty potato pancakes and rich Irish stew.
Landmarks in emerald glimmer China
The holiday takes on a dramatic visual flair here. One of the most striking moments of the celebrations is the Great Wall of China glowing green as a symbolic nod to Ireland, visible across one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host Irish pub parties, parades, and community gatherings, mostly organised by local expats and the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing. Meanwhile, in Shanghai, celebrations include themed parties and elegant St. Patrick’s Day balls. Behind the bar, Irish favourites take centre stage, from Jameson to classic green beer.
Leprechauns meet cherry blossoms in Japan
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations have grown steadily in popularity, particularly in Tokyo. Landmarks such as Tokyo Tower glow green for the occasion, while the lively Tokyo St Patrick's Day Parade along Omotesando Avenue draws more than 50,000 spectators each year. Nearby Yoyogi Park hosts the “I Love Ireland” Festival, where Irish music, dance performances, and traditional food bring a taste of Dublin to Tokyo.
The timing couldn’t be better. March also marks the start of Cherry Blossom Season, making it one of the most beautiful times to visit Japan, when St. Patrick’s festivities unfold alongside the first blush of spring.
Seoul’s Irish street festival in South Korea
Celebrations centre around a lively outdoor festival organised by the Irish Association of Korea, which has hosted St. Patrick’s Day events since 2001. Expect Irish comfort food, live music, costume contests, raffles, and plenty of Guinness. Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and Irish classics dominate the menu, drawing thousands of visitors every year. When the official festivities wind down, many festivalgoers continue the night in Itaewon, the capital’s cosmopolitan nightlife hub.