A Very Brief Explanation for the Savannah, Georgia St. Patrick's Day Festival
If you love a good celebration, the arrival of spring in Savannah is impossible to ignore — especially when March rolls around and the city begins its centuries-old tradition of honoring St. Patrick’s Day.
In Savannah, the color green isn’t just festive; it’s woven into the very heartbeat of the city. From emerald cocktails to fountains dyed vibrant green, March marks a season of remembrance, community, and jubilant pageantry. The centerpiece of this tradition is the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the most beloved and enduring festival experiences in the South.
But to understand why Savannah does St. Patrick’s Day with such verve, we have to go back a bit further in time.
In 1733, James Edward Oglethorpe landed on Yamacraw Bluff with just over 100 settlers to establish what is now Georgia. Among those early arrivals were at least nine Irish Catholics who sought both a new beginning and a measure of religious freedom outside the confines of the British monarchy. Their presence planted the first seeds of what would become Savannah’s rich Irish heritage.
By the early 19th century, Irish influence in Savannah had grown significantly. In 1813, a group of 44 distinguished Savannah gentlemen formed the Hibernian Society with the mission of assisting Irish immigrants navigating the hardships of life in the young city. That same year, members of this society marched to the First Presbyterian Church to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day, one of the earliest such recorded celebrations in Savannah’s history.
A few years later, in 1824, the Hibernian Society extended an invitation to all Irish residents of Savannah to attend Mass and then take part in a public procession through the city’s streets. That procession marked the birth of what would evolve into the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a public celebration that has endured for two centuries, growing ever more elaborate with each passing generation.
Gradually, the parade evolved into something more than a religious observance. As Irish families settled more deeply into Savannah’s social fabric, the festivities expanded outward, first with themed drinks and special fare at taverns around town, and later with community-wide revelry that embraces locals and visitors alike. Today, even the fountains are dyed green, a playful reflection of the city’s collective pride.
Generations later, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations stand as one of the most vibrant expressions of Irish heritage in the United States. The parade, which continues to wind through the historic district every March 17th (or thereabouts), now brings together marching bands, civic organizations, military units, and delighted crowds from across the globe, a testament not only to Savannah’s rich past but to its enduring spirit of community and celebration.
Whether you’re drawn by tradition or simply the joy of watching a city come alive, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival is an experience rooted in history and elevated by the city’s singular charm.
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Understanding Savannah’s past adds depth to every walk through the city, especially after dark. Choose experiences that honor the history, tell the stories accurately, and allow you to engage thoughtfully with one of America’s most complex cities.
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