What to Wear on St Patrick's Day in Philadelphia
March in Philly averages 45°F with a chance of rain and a certainty of wind whipping down Market Street. Here's how locals actually dress.
The base layer
A green long-sleeve tee or thermal — not the paper-thin novelty shirt. You'll be outside for hours between the parade, the Erin Express, and the walks in between.
The mid layer
A green quarter-zip, an Ireland rugby jersey, or an Irish knit sweater if you own one. Bonus points for a Notre Dame or Villanova hoodie in solidarity.
The outer layer
A jacket you don't mind getting Guinness on. Waterproof is smart — St Paddy's weather in Philly has a habit of turning.
Footwear (this matters)
You will walk 5+ miles between the parade and the crawl. Broken-in sneakers or boots — not the new leather brogues. Your feet will thank you.
Accessories worth bringing
- A tartan scarf — the veteran move. Warm and photogenic.
- A small crossbody bag, not a backpack (easier at bar doors).
- Cash for tips (not every Philly Irish bar tips easily on card).
- A portable phone charger — every year, thousands of Philly phones die by 4 PM on St Paddy's.
What to skip
The oversized green top hat. The blinking shamrock necklace. The kilt-over-jeans combo. Philly is a stylish city — even on St Paddy's, effortless beats costume.
Philadelphia's longest-running St Patrick's Day bar crawl. 30+ bars, free cover, free t-shirts.