St. Patrick’s Day is upon us and WalletHub, the personal-finance website, says Americans are planning to spend at least $7 billion expected to be spent for the holiday. WalletHub recently released its report on 2026’s Best Cities for St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations, as well as expert commentary. 

Chicago makes the list every year for best cities for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Hungry for more? Get travel inspiration and recipes for St. Patrick’s Day.

To determine the best cities for celebrating Irish-American heritage, WalletHub compared 200 of the largest U.S. cities across 15 key metrics, ranging from Irish pubs and restaurants per capita to the lowest price for a three-star hotel on St. Patrick’s Day to the weather forecast. Read their full report here.

Best vs. Worst 

• Naperville, Illinois, has the highest share of Irish population, which is 48 times greater than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the lowest.
• New York has the highest number of Irish pubs per capita, which is 34.8 times more than in San Jose, California, the city with the lowest.
• Port St. Lucie, Florida, has one of the lowest property-crime rates, which is 9.7 times lower than in Oakland, California, the city with the highest.
• Memphis, Tennessee has the lowest price of a three-star hotel room on St. Patrick’s Day, which is 5.5 times less than in Peoria, Arizona, the city with the highest.

Why is St. Patrick’s Day so popular in the United States?

“St. Patrick’s Day works in America because it is rooted in immigration history but has evolved into something universal. More than 31 million Americans claim Irish ancestry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making Irish one of the largest ancestry groups in the country. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762, long before the United States declared independence, which underscores how deeply the holiday is woven into American civic life. Fun fact: Retail sales of corned beef surge dramatically in March. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that sales often jump more than 30 percent in the weeks leading up to the holiday, with Americans purchasing tens of millions of pounds. Corned beef and cabbage became popular among Irish immigrants in nineteenth-century New York because brisket was affordable and widely available. In many ways, the meal tells the story of adaptation and resilience. The holiday endures because it is inclusive. As I often say, St. Patrick’s Day is the one day when identity expands rather than divides. Everyone gets to feel a little Irish.”
Andrew Burnstine, Ph.D – Associate Professor, Lynn University