Get ready to don a big green hat, paint Shamrocks on your cheeks, gorge yourself on Irish Stew and drink more than your body weight in Guinness…that’s right, St. Patrick’s Day is coming round again!

St. Paddy’s Day celebrations take place across the world, with fun, fermented fervor, and a fair slice of frolicking always high on the bill. This is, quite simply, one of the major events in the calendar for any party-happy backpackers.

Hold you pints aloft, then, and let us make a toast… to the top 10 St. Patrick’s Day parties and parades…

1. Dublin, Ireland
Six days of music and performance culminate on the 17th of March with the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of the Irish capital. Expect crowds, merriment and enough Guinness to drown a small colony of leprechauns.
Where to Drink: Temple Bar is the headlining drinking spot here. For a slightly more studenty vibe, O’Donoghues on Merrion Square is a worthwhile call. Otherwise, head north of the river and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day jokes with inebriated old men in one of the many ‘locals’.
Where to Stay: For central fun with hoards of backpackers, Kinlay House comes recommended. For something a little cozier, try Litton Lane.
For the lowdown on all the best Paddy’s Day parties, check out this great Dublin blog http://www.dublinblog.ie/tag/st-patricks-day/

2. Cork, Ireland

Slightly less hectic than Dublin’s parade, Cork’s St. Paddy’s Day is nonetheless an impressive spectacle which feature puppets, street artists and dancers aplenty. Head to Merchant Quay for the early afternoon and enjoy the swing of this cultural city.
Where to Drink: Try The Corner House or Sin E, both on Coburg Street
Where to Stay: Kinlay House Cork is again a good bet, as is Shelia’s of Cork.
http://www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie/ has the full events program and helpful info.

3. London, England
St. Patrick’s Day is always jumped upon with heady abandon here in London, a city where any event (and especially one that centers around booze) is happily used as an excuse for a great big party. The Parade is on the 15th this year, but the drinking is guaranteed to go on all weekend.
Where to Drink: Filthy McNasty’s in Clerkenwell, The Boogaloo in Highgate. Both are (albiet tenuously) connected to Shane McGowen.
Where to Stay: The Clink hostel will put you slap in the middle of town. For something smaller, try O’Callaghan’s, which is bound to be a source of drunken travelers.
http://www.irishinbritain.com/iib_cms/ is the place to look for all things Irish-related in London (and beyond).

4. New York, USA

Given its rich Irish heritage, it’s no wonder that New York goes slightly loopy during the St. Patrick’s Day party. Get to 5th Avenue early (as in, before 9am) and see the parade begin it’s historic journey. Then get drunk.
Where to Drink: Not on the streets. You’ll get arrested. Take a look here for the best Irish Pubs in the city.
Where to Stay: The LOFTSTEL hostels, especially the LOFTSTEL NYC: reasonably priced, impressively furnished.

5. Boston, USA
One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world is held in Boston every year, with around a million people hitting the streets. The Boston St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are also known to be the USA’s eldest, dating back as far as 1731.
Where to Drink: To be honest, any of the pubs listed here will do nicely.
Where to Stay: HI Boston Downtown

6. Philadelphia, USA

Stuff kicks off on March 15th this year, with the theme ‘peace and prosperity’.
Where to Drink: The Dark Horse Pub between Pine Street and Lombard Street, or Fado on Locust Street.
Where to Stay: Apple Hostel is well situated and affordable, or the LOFTSTEL guys also have a place in town.
All the gossip you’ll need to know from the city’s Irish community can be found at http://www.irishphiladelphia.com/

7. Toronto, Canada
On 15th March, the Toronto parade begins at noon on St. George Street, finishing a few hours later on Queen Street.
Where to Drink: The large Irish Pub scene predictably kicks into gear come St. Paddy’s Day. Try Fionn MacCool in Downtown, or Dora Keogh (Danforth Avenue).
Where to Stay: Canadiana Backpackers Inn proves a hit with most.
http://www.topatrick.com/ is dedicated purely to the ins and outs of the day.

8. Sydney, Australia

The parade starts from the corner of George Street and Bathurst Street at noon.
Where to Drink: There are tons of good spots to choose from.
Where to Stay: Wake Up Hostel is a backpacker’s favorite; cheap and highly rated.
Check out http://www.stpatricksday.org.au/ for full details.

9. Auckland, New Zealand

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Paddy’s Day celebrations in the city. Expect week-long festivities leading up to the big day itself on the 17th.
Where to Drink: Enjoy a Guinness (or 10) in any one of these.
Where to Stay: City Lodge is one of the top rated hostels in Auckland.
http://www.stpatrick.co.nz/ has good info on both 2009 and past festivals.

10. Birmingham, England
A week of music performances and film screenings culminate with the parade, whose floats and participants will wind their way through Birmingham on the 15th.
Where to Drink: As this is England you’ll find plenty of small-time pubs throwing themselves into hardy St. Patrick’s Day; knees-ups are around most corners you turn! Waxy O’Connor’s on Broad Street is probably the signature joint in town, though.
Where to Stay: There are plenty of party-happy hostels in Birmingham. Take your pick, really. Just don’t expect a good night’s sleep!
You can find details of all the events, venues and parties at http://stpatricksbirmingham.blogspot.com/