4 Fun & Sober St. Patrick’s Day Activities

While St. Patrick’s day does have a reputation for being heavily centered around drinking (it’s considered to be the third most popular drinking day of the year after New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras), there are plenty of fun and festive St. Patrick’s Day activities that you can do while maintaining sobriety—including those that are much more in line with what the day is meant to celebrate.

At its heart, St. Patrick’s Day is about the celebration of Irish culture, from its cuisine and its music to its dances and, of course, its patron saint. And, with the ongoing pandemic, this year is all about socially-distanced fun, even with no drinks involved.

Below, we’re sharing four sober St. Patrick’s Day activities that are perfect for connecting with Irish culture, and enjoying this festive holiday in a responsible manner. Whether you stay home or safely meet up with friends outside, here’s how to make the most of the upcoming holiday.

Things to Do While Trying to Stay Sober on St. Patty’s Day

Contrary to popular belief, the best St. Patrick’s Day activities have nothing to do with a pint of green beer. Keep away from temptation and keep yourself safe during the pandemic with these St. Patrick’s Day activities that answer the question of how to have fun sober on a holiday normally dedicated to drinking.

1. Have an Irish feast

Order in from your local Irish pub or roll up your sleeves and test out your kitchen skills, because this is one holiday that’s best celebrated through its food. Famous Irish dishes include corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, colcannon, and bangers and mash, all of which are traditional for St. Patrick’s Day.

Don’t want to eat alone? Set up a virtual dinner party with some friends or family members and try out some Irish favorites together.

2. Watch some Irish classics

Snuggle up on the couch for a day of classic Irish films, such as “The Luck of the Irish” (1948), “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” (1959—and Irishman Sean Connery’s first major Hollywood film), or Francis Ford Coppola’s “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968). Just be sure to stick to family-friendly faves or do a quick synopsis check first if you’re worried about seeing people drink on screen, especially with more modern films.

3. Go green with some decorations

Like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day is way more festive with the right decorations. Order curbside pick-up or delivery from a store like Target or Party City and get into the green spirit with St. Patrick’s Day themed clothing, hats, streamers, and more.

4. Do some crafting

Have children? What about a passion for Pinterest crafts? There are lots of St. Patrick’s Day themed crafts that both adults and kids will enjoy, and getting crafty is a fantastic way to pass the time—especially while you’re wearing all of that green gear.

As with any holiday—and particularly during the pandemic, when so many of us are celebrating occasions at home—make sure to reach out to your support system at any time, especially if you’re feeling tempted or triggered to drink. It’s totally normal to find a holiday like St. Patrick’s Day to be extra difficult to manage on your sobriety journey, but keep in mind that it’s only one day. You’ll get through this, and you’ll be better off for it (you’ll even be able to enjoy it, thanks to the St. Patrick’s Day activities mentioned above!).

In Need of Some Support?

At Retreat Behavioral Health, we offer compassionate and comprehensive outpatient substance abuse treatment services that are dedicated to helping you maintain a sober lifestyle. And whether you’re just getting started on your journey or you are looking for help sustaining it, our clinical staff is available for you 24/7. Contact us today to learn more.