If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you don’t have to limit yourself to Ireland. There are many other interesting destinations around the world that offer surprising and fun ways to honour the Irish heritage. Here are 10 of them:

Montserrat

Did you know that Montserrat is the only country outside of Ireland that celebrates St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday? The Caribbean island has a rich Irish history, dating back to the 17th century when many Irish settlers arrived there. The island even has a shamrock-shaped passport stamp and a green and orange flag. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival lasts for a week and features music, dancing, parades, food and cultural events.

Tokyo

Japan may not seem like an obvious choice for St. Patrick’s Day, but Tokyo has been hosting an annual parade since 1992. The event attracts thousands of participants and spectators, who dress up in green and march along Omotesando Avenue. The parade is followed by a festival in Yoyogi Park, where you can enjoy Irish music, food and drinks.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has a large Irish community and a vibrant St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The main event is the street party in the downtown area, where dozens of pubs and bars offer live music, food and beer. The party goes on until late at night, with people dancing and singing in the streets. You can also visit the Irish monuments and landmarks in the city, such as the Torre de los Ingleses and the Plaza Irlanda.

Sydney

Sydney is home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in the Southern Hemisphere. The event features a parade that starts at Hyde Park and ends at The Rocks, where a family-friendly festival takes place. You can enjoy Irish music, dance, food and crafts, as well as activities for kids. You can also admire the iconic Sydney Opera House lit up in green for the occasion.

Montreal

Montreal has a long-standing tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, dating back to 1824. The city hosts the longest-running St. Patrick’s Day parade in Canada, which draws hundreds of thousands of spectators every year. The parade features floats, bands, dancers and cultural groups, as well as the famous giant inflatable shamrock. You can also join the festivities at the Irish pubs and clubs in the city, where you can drink Guinness and listen to live music.

Malta

Malta may be a small island in the Mediterranean, but it knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style. The main attraction is the street party in St Julian’s, where thousands of people gather to enjoy Irish music, food and beer. You can also watch the fireworks display over Spinola Bay or visit the Irish pubs and restaurants in Valletta.

Oslo

Norway may not have a large Irish population, but it has a strong affinity for St. Patrick’s Day. Oslo hosts an annual parade that starts at Jernbanetorget and ends at Universitetsplassen, where a stage show takes place. You can watch Irish dancers, singers and musicians perform or join the crowd in singing along to popular Irish songs.

Cape Town

Cape Town is another unlikely destination for St. Patrick’s Day, but it has a lively and colourful celebration. The city organizes a parade that starts at the Grand Parade and ends at the V&A Waterfront, where a festival takes place. You can enjoy Irish music, dance, food and drinks, as well as a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest leprechaun gathering.

Moscow

Moscow may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of St. Patrick’s Day, but the Russian capital has a lot to offer. The city hosts a parade that starts at Novy Arbat and ends at Manezhnaya Square, where a concert takes place. You can also visit the Irish Cultural Centre, where you can learn about Irish history, culture and language.

Auckland

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and a great place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The city hosts a parade that starts at Ponsonby Road and ends at Western Park, where a festival takes place. You can enjoy Irish music, dance, food and drinks, as well as games and activities for kids. You can also see the Sky Tower lit up in green for the occasion.