Countdown to St Patrick's Day — March 17.
St Patrick's Day on March 17 is celebrated in Australia primarily through Irish pubs, community events, and plenty of green — it's not a public holiday, but it's a well-observed cultural day particularly in cities with established Irish communities.
Sydney and Melbourne both have significant St Patrick's Day events, with Irish pubs filling up well in advance for the evening. If you're planning to go out for St Patrick's Day, booking ahead for dinner or knowing which pubs to head to early is worth the planning.
This counter tells you exactly how many days until March 17.
No. St Patrick's Day is not a public holiday in Australia. It is, however, a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Green became associated with Ireland and St Patrick's Day through the Irish nationalist movement in the 18th century, which used green as a symbol of Ireland and Irish identity. The shamrock — which St Patrick reportedly used to explain the Christian Trinity — is also green.
St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Born in Roman Britain, he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave before escaping, returning to Britain, and then travelling back to Ireland as a missionary. March 17 is the traditional date of his death.
Yes — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other cities with significant Irish communities hold annual St Patrick's Day events including parades, concerts, and pub events. Sydney's St Patrick's Day parade through the CBD is one of the larger annual events.