On March 17th and the surrounding days, Ireland honors its globally popular patron saint, St. Patrick – and for this special occasion, Budapest also dresses up in green. People in funny hats, bagpipe groups, folk dancers, leprechauns, and a jolly shamrock flock flood the streets of Hungary’s capital while chanting loud limericks, or attend emerald-tinted events. On this day everyone can be Irish, and a few glassfuls of freshly pulled Guinness might even give you the accent. Here are events where you can celebrate this Hibernian holiday in Budapest, where the party isn’t over ’til it’s clover.

March 16th: St Patrick’s Festival Budapest at Akvárium Klub
Downtown’s Akvárium Klub starts the celebration early, and chills the black and gold beverages for 6pm on Thursday night, when several local and foreign bands devoted to traditional and modern Celtic tunes – such as Firkin, the Jolly Jackers, and the Clan – step on stage, while pie-eyed people go crazy to Irish punk on the dance floor.March 16-19: St. Paddy punk at local pubs
There are plenty of authentically decorated Irish pubs in Budapest devoted to the culture of the Emerald Isle that celebrate St. Patrick from morning to late at night with traditional feasts and delicious Irish drinks. On March 16th, the Flares fill Beckett’s with pop-rock tunes, Jack Doyle’s entices guests for some fun craic fueled with Guinness and Jameson and festooned with free hats and shirts, all scored by live performances of the Greenfields on both March 17th and 18th. Furthermore, on St. Paddy’s weekend you can drink until you turn green at several other laid-back locales with an Irish spirit as well, such as Publin and Longford Irish Pub and Restaurant.

March 17th:
St. Patrick’s Day at Brody Club Life at Brody Club LifeBrody Studios honors the Hibernian holiday from 6pm on March 17th with a special blend of soulful Irish melodies and live pub music by Green Spirit, Ireland’s best beers, and colorful cocktails. There is no serious dress code here, but those who don’t wear anything green may be subjected to playfully pranks by secret leprechauns.March 18th: WIDA Budapest Open Feis at FolyondárIf you are a talented dancer, or already had one too many pints that made you feel the boogie in your legs, you can show off your best Irish moves at this International Irish Dance Competition on March 18th from 9am. Independent schools, ensembles, and individual dancers are all welcome on the stage to present their crazy choreographies in various categories.

March 19th: St Patrick’s Day Parade at Szabadság Square
On the first Sunday after St. Patrick’s Day – just so that more people can join during the weekend – a jolly flock of face-painted folks in green gathers at 1:30pm at Budapest’s central Szabadság Square for a family-friendly festival, and fill the air with Irish folklore as they weave their way through the heart of the city to a local pub where the party goes on late into the night.