When is St Patrick's Day 2027?
St Patrick's Day is always on 17 March, the same way Halloween always lands on 31 October. It's a fixed date, so the only thing that changes from one year to the next is which day of the week it falls on. In 2027 that means Wednesday, 17 March 2027, and the counter above keeps track of exactly how many days are left.
If it happens to land on a weekday, plenty of people still find a way to mark it, whether that's a swift pint after work or a bigger get-together at the weekend nearest the date. And when 17 March rolls round on a Saturday or Sunday, the celebrations tend to grow rather larger.
Who was St Patrick?
St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and 17 March is traditionally held to be the date of his death. He lived back in the fifth century and is remembered above all for bringing Christianity to Ireland. Curiously, he wasn't Irish by birth at all. The story goes that he was born in Roman Britain and taken to Ireland as a captive while still a teenager, before later returning as a missionary.
The famous link with the shamrock comes from a lovely old legend. It's said that Patrick used the little three-leaved plant to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity, with three leaves joined on a single stem. Whether that really happened or not, the shamrock stuck, and it's been a symbol of the day ever since.
How St Patrick's Day is celebrated
What began as a religious feast day has, over the centuries, grown into one of the most cheerful and sociable celebrations on the calendar. Parades are the big draw, with marching bands, dancers and floats winding through the streets, and a sea of green from head to toe. Towns and cities right across the UK and Ireland join in, and the day is marked everywhere from New York to Sydney.
Wearing green is the rule most people stick to. It ties back to Ireland, the "Emerald Isle", and to the shamrock, and the gentle tradition of a friendly pinch for anyone who forgets to wear it. Alongside the green you'll find Irish music in full swing, traditional dancing, and food and drink to match, with plenty of folk gathering in the pub or at home with friends.
A day for everyone
The nice thing about St Patrick's Day is that you don't need any Irish roots to join in. It's become a day for anyone who fancies a bit of colour, a bit of music and a bit of good company in the middle of March, just as the worst of the winter is finally loosening its grip.
Getting into the St Patrick's Day spirit
Half the fun is the dressing-up, and here green is very much your friend. A bold green outfit, a daft hat or a few shamrock accessories will have you ready for any parade or party in no time. The more, the merrier, really, and nobody's going to tell you off for overdoing it on a day like this.
If you'd rather keep things cosy than go full costume, a soft, comfy jumper does the trick nicely, and a HappyHoodie, our giant super-soft oversized hoodie that's rather like a blanket you can wear, is just the thing for a relaxed evening once the parade is over. For a few more ideas to round off the day, whether for yourself or to surprise a friend, have a browse through our gifts.
Whatever you go for, the spirit of the day is simple enough: throw on something green, put on a bit of music and enjoy yourself. Now you know both when St Patrick's Day is and the story behind it, so all that's left is to get into the mood and count down those last few days.
