How consumers are celebrating a record-breaking St. Patrick’s Day

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, consumers are donning green clothes and buying green food dye in preparation for the lucky holiday — and more people are celebrating than ever before. This year, 61% of consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, up from 54% in 2022 and the highest in the history of the survey. So, pick up a Shamrock Shake or some Lucky Charms ice cream and read on to learn how different groups are celebrating this extra-festive St. Patrick’s Day.

Sip, sip, hooray!

With more celebration comes more spending, and consumers are sparing no expense to go all out for the holiday this year. Consumers plan to spend a total of $6.9 billion — $1 billion more than last year — or an average of $43.84 per person.

And men are ready to spend more than anyone else. For as long as NRF has tracked the holiday, men have spent substantially more than women on St. Patrick’s Day festivities. This year, they are spending $48.71, almost $10 than women’s $39.15. What are they spending it on? Well, women buy more of every category than men except one — beverages. Sláinte, lads!

It ain’t over till it’s clover

Although younger consumers are still more likely to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than any other age group, celebration plans among those 35 and up are on the rise. As consumers start aging out of the 18- to 34-year-old category, they’re bringing their enthusiasm for St. Patrick’s Day with them to the next stage in their lives. Maybe their favorite color is green, maybe they really like corned beef hash, but whatever it is, they keep coming back for more St. Patrick’s Day.

Make a rainbow connection

Consumers with children are finding ways to make the holiday special – and, surprisingly, celebrate at higher levels than those without kids. A little over half of consumers without children in their household (54%) celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, compared with 74% of those with children.

And consumers with kids go all out. While those without children buy the most food, consumers with kids exceed those without in every other category and spend significantly more on apparel and accessories, decorations and candy to make the holiday extra fun for the little ones.

For more information on how consumers celebrate the luckiest holiday of the year, visit the St. Patrick’s Day landing page or St. Patrick’s Day data center.