Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the UAE: Your Ultimate Guide
- Usman
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 25

March 17th is the day when everyone gets to be Irish! Whether you're an expat in Dubai or Expat in Abu Dhabi, longing for a taste of home or just looking for a reason to throw an epic party, St. Patrick’s Day in the UAE is a fantastic occasion to celebrate. From themed parties to bar crawls and cultural performances, there are plenty of ways to mark the day.
And the best part? You can plan your entire St. Patrick’s Day celebration effortlessly with The PartyPlatform app—your one-stop destination for finding verified venues, vendors, and entertainment options for all occasions.
Why Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the UAE?
The UAE has a thriving expat community, and St. Patrick’s Day in the UAE is widely celebrated across the country, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From Irish pubs hosting themed nights to yacht parties and corporate celebrations, you’ll find numerous ways to honor the holiday. Whether you're hosting a private event at home or looking for a large-scale venue, The PartyPlatform makes it easy to find everything you need in one place.
How to Plan the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
1. Pick a Venue
The first step is deciding where to host your event. Whether you want to book a restaurant, rent a private venue, or host a garden party, The PartyPlatform app provides a list of verified event spaces across the UAE. Some options include:
Irish Pubs: Venues like McGettigan’s, Mccafferty's Bar and The Irish Village offer a festive atmosphere with live music and themed drinks.
Yacht Parties: Celebrate on the water with an exclusive yacht rental, complete with a DJ and catering.
Private Villas: Host a stylish gathering in a luxury villa with a private pool and outdoor seating.
Brunches - try booking popular brunches to celebrate with your friends like Wanderlust St Paddy's Day
2. Send Out Invitations
Once your venue is secured, it’s time to invite your guests. Use digital invitation platforms like Happenly, Partiful, and JibJab to send stylish and festive e-invites. You can also use WhatsApp group invites with St. Patrick’s Day graphics to spread the word quickly. Customize your invitations with Irish-themed designs to set the mood for the party.
3. Choose a St. Patrick’s Day Theme
A well-planned theme can make your party unforgettable. Here are a few ideas:
Luck of the Irish Casino Night: Set up poker tables, dice games, and a “pot of gold” raffle.
Speakeasy Irish Pub: Transform your space into a cozy pub with whiskey tastings and live acoustic music.
Celtic Masquerade Ball: Encourage guests to wear green masquerade masks and elegant Irish-inspired outfits.
4. Entertainment & Music
No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without live entertainment. Through The PartyPlatform, you can book:
Bagpipers & Irish Bands: Nothing sets the Irish mood better than a live bagpiper or an Irish folk band.
Irish Dancers: Add energy to your party with a mesmerizing Irish dance performance.
DJ & Karaoke: Play Irish classics like “Whiskey in the Jar” and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”
5. Festive Decorations & Photo Backdrops
Create an Instagram-worthy setting with:
Balloon Backdrops: Hire a professional balloon decorator to set up green and gold arrangements.
Shamrock-Themed Decor: Hang shamrock banners, string lights, and table confetti.
Leprechaun Photo Booth: Set up props like green hats, fake beards, and pots of gold for fun pictures.
6. Food & Drinks
A St. Patrick’s Day party isn’t complete without delicious Irish-inspired food and drinks.
Traditional Irish Dishes:
🍀 Corned Beef & Cabbage – A classic dish featuring slow-cooked corned beef with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes.
🍀 Shepherd’s Pie – A comforting dish made with ground lamb or beef, vegetables, and topped with mashed potatoes.
🍀 Irish Stew – A hearty stew made with lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions.
🍀 Colcannon – Mashed potatoes mixed with cabbage or kale, butter, and cream.
🍀 Boxty (Irish Potato Pancakes) – Crispy potato pancakes, perfect for breakfast or as a side dish.
🍀 Soda Bread – A traditional Irish bread with a dense, slightly sweet texture.
Green-Themed & Fun Foods:
💚 Green Deviled Eggs – Traditional deviled eggs with green food coloring or avocado.
💚 Leprechaun Popcorn – Popcorn drizzled with white chocolate and green sprinkles.
💚 Shamrock Quesadillas – Use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter for festive quesadillas.
💚 Rainbow Fruit Platter – Arrange strawberries, oranges, pineapple, grapes, and blueberries with marshmallow clouds.
💚 Lucky Charm Treats – Rice Krispies treats made with Lucky Charms cereal.
💚 Pistachio Pudding or Cheesecake – A light green dessert option.
Festive Drinks:
🍺 Green Beer – Add food coloring to light beer.
🍺 Irish Coffee – Coffee with Irish whiskey and whipped cream.
🍺 Shamrock Shake – A minty green milkshake.
🍺 Guinness Float – Guinness stout with vanilla ice cream.
7. Fun Activities & Games
Engage your guests with interactive activities:
Best Irish Accent Contest – Have guests try their best Irish accent and vote for the funniest.St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke – Sing along to Irish songs or themed tunes.
Leprechaun Dress-Up Race – Teams race to dress someone in a funny leprechaun outfit.
Leprechaun Treasure Hunt – Hide gold chocolate coins, shamrocks, or small prizes around the party area for guests to find.
Pot of Gold Coin Toss – Set up small pots and have guests toss gold coins (or chocolate coins) into them.
Shamrock Scavenger Hunt – Hide shamrocks with clues around the venue leading to a grand prize.
Pin the Hat on the Leprechaun – A St. Patrick’s twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
Leprechaun Relay Race – Teams balance gold coins on a spoon and race to a pot of gold without dropping them.
Irish Musical Chairs – Play Irish folk music while guests compete for seats.
Why Use The PartyPlatform App?
Planning a St. Patrick’s Day party in the UAE has never been easier. With The PartyPlatform app, you can:
✅ Find and book top-rated venues.
✅ Hire verified entertainment, caterers, and decorators.
✅ Get customized party planning assistance.
✅ Access exclusive discounts and deals on event services.
Download The PartyPlatform today and make this St. Patrick’s Day a legendary celebration! 🍀
Final Thoughts
Whether you're hosting a grand celebration or a cozy gathering, there are countless ways to make St. Patrick’s Day special in the UAE. With the right planning, entertainment, and decor, your party can be one to remember. Use The PartyPlatform to make organizing your event stress-free and fun. So put on your green, grab a pint, and let the shenanigans begin!