The biggest event of the year, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade sees people from all across the globe take to the streets of Dublin. The procession is long (usually lasting around 2–3 hours), and features both Irish floats and groups as well as marching bands from the US and Europe. It kicks off on Parnell Square then moves down O’Connell Street, over the river to the southside, then past Dublin Castle and along Patrick Street.

Though the parade is the main event, every year there’s a 4-day St. Patrick’s Festival in the city, with live music, comedy, and spoken-word events taking place throughout the day and evening. The main Festival Quarter is set up in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks where there’s a big main stage for club nights, a cinema space, and a circus tent. During the day, many of the events are free, with the gigs in the evening usually charging an admittance fee.

Most of the major distilleries and breweries are open on St. Patrick’s Day, and the good news is they’re often a little quieter, as most people are celebrating in the city. Both the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery are open on the day itself, as is the Teeling Distillery in the Liberties. The parade route passes by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, just around the corner from the Teeling Distillery, so you can pop in as soon as the parade has gone by.

The home of The Book of Kells in Trinity College is also quieter than many attractions during St. Patrick's Day, so it’s the perfect time to see the treasured manuscript as well as the Long Room. You can also visit Christ Church Cathedral, though this is a key location along the parade route, so time your trip accordingly. If you’d like to visit a few landmarks over the course of the day, the Dublin Pass includes entrance to over 35 attractions in the city, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

With road closures and busy streets, it can be tricky to navigate the city on St. Patrick’s Day. The easiest way to get around is on a hop on hop off bus tour, which will lead you to all the big sights without you having to figure out public transport schedules or diversions. They also feature live commentary from a tour guide, so it’s an easy way to tour the city while saving your energy for a night on the town.

For most, it wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a drink or two. Head out on a pub crawl and you can tick off a few in one fell swoop, guided by a local who knows all the best spots; or take a private pub tour for a more personal experience. If you’re a whiskey fan, head to the Irish Whiskey Museum, where you can learn all about the history of distilling in Ireland and taste a few different brands in the bar. It’s right in the middle of the city, too.

Ireland’s national holiday is the perfect day to take a deep dive into the country’s past on a historical tour, and learn all about the 1916 Rising on a walk through the city. There are several other walking tours running during the day, which will lead you through Dublin’s various hotspots. You can also see Dublin by bike, or check out the most haunted landmarks in the city.

Restaurants can be busy on St. Patrick’s Day, and several close for the holiday. So, a good way to secure a reservation is by booking dinner and a show in advance, during which you’ll get a meal and a performance of traditional Irish music and dance to boot. If you’d rather nibble a few things on your way around town, opt for an evening food tour, for tastings all around the city.