When March 17th rolls around, we'll be donning our green finery, quaffing green beer and celebrating everything Irish in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

So who exactly was St. Patrick? He was a fifth century British missionary, credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Legend has it that he drove the snakes out of Ireland, and the date of his death—March 17, 461—is both a religious feast day and cause for plenty of partying around the globe.

St. Patrick's Day is your best excuse to beat the winter doldrums and indulge in a few of the many customs honoring the patron saint of Ireland.

1. Raise a glass to the Irish.

Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like a mug of dark Guinness stout. An estimated 13 million pints of the stuff are downed worldwide each year on the holiday. Revelers are also known to indulge in a bit of Irish whiskey—perhaps in an Irish coffee-- or some sweet and silky Irish Cream.

2. The wearing of the green.

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and on St. Patrick's Day you'll see green on everything from beer to bagels. Even the Chicago River is dyed green for a few hours to salute the holiday. Of course, you'll be in green on the 17th.  According to Irish folklore, wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who are otherwise intent on giving you a little pinch. So beware—tradition has it that if you're not clothed in green on St. Paddy's Day, you're fair game for a pinch by a mischievous partier.

3.  Parades.

The very first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in Boston way back in 1737.  Since then, the grand St. Patrick's Day parades have become a beloved tradition in cities throughout the U.S., including huge events in Boston, New York City Philadelphia, Savannah and New Orleans.

4.  Song and dance.

St. Paddy's festivities are sure to include traditional Irish tunes from much-loved Irish bands such as The Chieftains and the Clancy Brothers. This is your day to catch some traditional Irish step dancing, made famous by the popular Riverdance.

5. Shamrocks and leprechauns.

Think St. Patrick's Day and you're most likely seeing shamrocks and leprechauns. Shamrocks, or three-leaf clovers, symbolize the rebirth of spring and are a symbol of Irish pride. It is said that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Ireland's pagan druids. Leprechauns—tiny, bearded men with a mischievous streak—are on the loose; capture one and you just may find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

6.  Tasty Irish treats.

Mid-March menus are likely to include the obligatory corned beef and cabbage, though the Irish are more likely to indulge in traditional bacon and cabbage. Other favorites: Irish soda bread, shepherd's pie and Irish stew, often made with that St. Patrick's Day essential, Guinness stout. For fast food aficionados, it's the one time of year to enjoy that famous minty green milkshake under the golden arches.

7. More solemn observances.

Despite its secularization, the feast day of St. Patrick is observed by Roman Catholics, the Anglican Church including the Church of Ireland, the Lutheran Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Irish Catholics will be honoring their patron saint with a feast day mass.

8. It's in the bag.

For those who just can't get enough of March revelry, head to Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 18 for what may very well be the craziest tradition of them all: Bag Day. It's "No bag, no booze" at the Irish Pub, where patrons don creatively decorated brown paper bag hats. The day-after-St. Patrick's Day tradition began in the 1980s with local casino workers and bartenders who'd worked through the previous day's fun.

Whatever you're celebrating, Music Garden  has a roster of the best regional bands and national acts perfect for your event. Contact us today!