St Patrick's Day is celebrated in Australia on March 17th to honor Irish culture and St Patrick. Many Australians of Irish descent celebrate by attending parades and parties featuring Irish music, food, and drinks. While not a public holiday, many Irish pubs and restaurants are busy as people gather to commemorate Irish immigration history and traditions. The Irish were among the earliest European settlers in Australia and over 300,000 more immigrated between 1840 and 1914 to escape famine.

1. St Patrick's Day in Australia Keiti-Monika Lank

2. Quick Facts St Patrick’s Day is a popular observance in Australia to honor Irish culture and commemorate one of Ireland’s patron saints, St Patrick.

3. Name: St Patrick's Day

4. St Patrick's Day: 17 March 2010

5. What do people do? Many Australians come together on St Patrick’s Day to celebrate Irish culture and remember St Patrick’s life and achievements.

6. Some businesses and organizations held St Patrick’s Day breakfasts and lunches where lucky door prizes are given and Irish food and drinks are served.

7. Many pubs, particularly Irish pubs, hold St Patrick’s Day parties in the evenings, where local bands play Irish music and green drinks are served.

8. St Patrick Day parades are hold in cities such as Sydney and Brisbane.

9. These parades feature people clad in traditional Irish costumes or dressed in green, as well and floats displaying the Irish flag.

10. Some people dress as leprechauns while others wear green wigs.

11. Many Irish associations and historical societies held events that give people the chance to learn about the history of Irish immigration and settlement in Australia.

12. Public life St Patrick’s Day is not a public holiday in Australia but it is a popular event so many restaurants and pubs, particularly those with an Irish theme, are busy on the day.