As March 17 draws near, everyone with a claim to Irish heritage -- and many without one -- make plans to get in on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Celebrations spill across Europe. While Dublin is a magnet for revelers, it’s just one the many green-tinted celebrations. Look for shamrock-themed and Guinness-fueled gatherings at one of the following venues:
England
• Birmingham’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Britain’s oldest, takes place from noon to 2 p.m. March 13 along Digbeth High Street From 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. that same day, an “Emerald Village” set up on Bradford Street offers Irish musicians live on stage, food and drink. A petting zoo, clowns and face-painting keep young visitors entertained. Plan at http://stpatricksbirmingham.com. • London’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade of floats and marching bands departs at noon from Piccadilly on March 13 and winds its way to Trafalgar Square, the site of a free, family-friendly festival that offers offering music, ceilidhs, film, comedy, an artisan Irish food market and children’s activities. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/jdrcu26.
Hungary
Budapest goes green from 1:30 p.m. March 20 at Szabadsag Ter, or Freedom Square. Festivities include music, dancing, food and drink. Musicians are invited to bring their instruments and play in impromptu sessions. The parade departing from the square at 3 p.m. is of a participatory nature — just wear green and march along the streets with thousands of others. More at http://ihbc.hu/events/3280/
Ireland
• Dublin’s celebrations stretch from March 17 to 20 and include concerts and street entertainment, much in Gaelic. A highlight is the spectacular parade, a mix of carnival, costumes, floats and choreography. It gets underway at noon March 17 from Parnell Square. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 18, during a free street ceili, expert callers lead the public through the steps of various Irish dances. • This year is significant, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, a rebellion against British rule that made way for the establishment of the Irish Free State and eventually the modern-day Republic of Ireland. Plan a trip at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.
Italy
The event known as Irlanda in Festa celebrates its 10th anniversary with events in Bologna, Cuneo, Padova, Parma, Pesaro, Portomaggiore and Trieste. Irish culture is celebrated through live bands, dance, sporting events, food and lots of dark beer. Entry to these events, which take place at various dates before and after March 17, is free. The biggest party of all unfolds in Padova’s Gran Teatro Geox through March 20. Festival info is at www.irlanda-in-festa.it.
Germany
Munich’s celebrations slated for March 13 include an eclectic parade of folkloric groups, sports clubs and leprechauns who set forth from Muenchner Freiheit at noon and make their way to Odeonsplatz, where Irish music and dance spills into the evening. On March 12, a Gaelic football and hurling tournament takes place from noon at the DJK Muenchen Ost stadium at Max-Reinhardt-Weg 28; a Mass in English, German and Gaelic is celebrated at Ludwigskirche from 6 p.m.
Norway
Oslo’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at noon from the square in front of the city’s main train station on March 19. Details at www.irishsociety.no.
