The Economic Impact of St. Patrick's Day

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish holiday that’s evolved into a global celebration. As festivities continue to grow, so does this holiday’s financial impact, making it a key economic driver in many regions. Let’s dive into the economic impact of St. Patrick’s Day!

Consumer Spending Trends

St. Patrick's Day celebrations bring a surge in consumer spending. In the United States alone, spending for the holiday reached a record $7.2 billion in 2024.¹ This number showed a 57% increase from 2015 spending numbers. According to the National Retail Federation, more than 60% of Americans celebrate the day by participating in activities such as purchasing themed products, attending events, and dining out.²

What Are People Spending Money on to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

People spend money on various activities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, with purchases including food, drinks, apparel, and decorations.

Food and Dining

Second to wearing green, making a special dinner is the most popular way people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.³ A total of 39% of people shop at the grocery store, and 20% spend money at restaurants.

Beverages

Alcohol sales significantly spike on St. Patrick’s Day, particularly beer sales. It’s the third most popular drinking day, with an estimated 13 million pints of Guinness consumed globally and an average of 4.2 drinks consumed per person.⁴

Apparel and Accessories

Many people who celebrate the holiday purchase themed clothing, such as green shirts, hats, and novelty items. Surveys indicate that 82% of Americans wear green on St. Patrick's Day.³

Decorations

Approximately 26% of participants decorate their homes and workplaces with Irish-themed decorations and buy the decorations from local businesses and big box stores.

Tourism and Local Economies

For many cities, St. Patrick’s Day is more than a celebration; it’s an economic windfall. Parades and public events draw massive crowds, filling hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Here are a few examples:

Savannah, Georgia

Hosting one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the U.S., Savannah generates an average of $5.8 million in revenue during March, primarily from tourism-related activities.⁵

Holyoke, Massachusetts

The city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade attracts over 400,000 spectators and contributes an estimated $20 million to the local economy.⁶

Chicago, Illinois

Famous for dyeing its river green, Chicago’s hospitality and retail industries see a substantial boost, with thousands of tourists flocking to experience the festivities.

In Ireland, where the holiday originated, St. Patrick’s Day generates more than €70 million in revenue over the five days surrounding the celebration.⁷ This revenue includes spending by domestic and international tourists attending events such as the Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival, which attracts over 500,000 people annually.⁸

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a cultural celebration; it’s a global economic event. The holiday exemplifies how tradition and commerce can intersect, boosting consumer spending, invigorating local economies, and promoting Irish culture worldwide.

1. https://www.statista.com/chart/31914/estimated-total-per-household-spending-in-the-us-for-st-patricks-day/
2. https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/st-patricks-day
3. https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/st-patricks-day/st-patricks-day-data-center

4. https://wallethub.com/blog/st-patricks-day-facts/10960

5. https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15328/St-Patricks-Analysis_Jan-2018?bidId=

6. https://donahue.umass.edu/news-events/institute-news/the-green-economy-holyokes-st-pattys-parade-generates-over-20-million

7. https://goquantive.com/blog/the-st-patricks-day-economic-stimulus/

8. https://forgetsomeday.com/st-patricks-day-parade-dublin-ireland/