St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon, and is normally celebrated by lots of drinking and seas of green, but have you ever wondered why we celebrate?
The holiday falls on Tuesday, March 17, in 2026, but celebrations began a bit earlier in Binghamton with the city’s annual Parade Day.
Despite the fact that the holiday is now known as a day for partying, that wasn’t always the case.
Here’s what to know about St. Patrick’s Day, and how you can continue to celebrate it in Binghamton in 2026.
Who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick is credited with introducing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century.
But the man who spurred an Irish holiday wasn’t Irish himself. He was born in Roman Britain, kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16, according to the History Channel. Patrick escaped slavery but returned to Ireland later.
Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17?
Legend has it that Patrick died on March 17.
People in Ireland started observing a feast day on March 17 in celebration around the ninth or 10th century, according to the History Channel, but the parades to honor it actually started in America.
The official New York City parade dates to March 17, 1766, according to the Library of Congress.
St. Patrick’s Day was once a solemn religious holiday
Irish culture and heritage experts previously have told USA TODAY the holiday was once a solemn religious day, but it started getting its boozy reputation when the Americans started celebrating it.
Although it is not a federal holiday in the U.S., it is a bank holiday and a great source of pride in Ireland. Leaders also use the day to promote Irish partnerships abroad across various industries.
2026 St. Patrick’s Day events near Binghamton
St. Patrick’s Day Paint n Sip
Curious Grounds and LunaBee Crafts is hosting a holiday watercolor paint-and-sip, according to the Facebook event, which includes a drink, snack and everything you need to create your shamrock.
St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon
Tioga Opportunities is hosting a holiday luncheon, according to the Facebook event, which includes a full Irish meal of corned beef with cabbage and carrots, boiled potatoes, Irish flag salad and pistachio cake.
St. Patrick’s Day Mass and Hooley
St. Patrick’s Church is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Hooley, according to the Facebook event, which includes Irish food and drinks, music and Irish dancers.
St. Patrick’s Dart Tournament
Irish Kevins is hosting a dart tournament to celebrate the holiday, according to their Facebook page, and proceeds from the tournament will go toward GiGi’s Playhouse Southern Tier.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, plus 2026 Binghamton-area events
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
