“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.” A popular Irish saying certainly goes well with St. Patrick’s Day. It is a cultural and religious celebration observed by people of all backgrounds worldwide.

As this event is approaching, the ODM group prepared these St. Patrick’s marketing ideas that will help you outnumber the competition and bring a much more memorable celebration to your audience.

St. Patrick’s Day

This public holiday in Ireland is honoured by celebrations, parades, and parties. Irish communities and people from different backgrounds worldwide also commemorate this day.

St. Patrick’s Day is being celebrated annually on March 17th. According to history, for over a thousand years, this religious day has waived Lenten season prohibitions, such as meat consumption and letting people dance, drink, and feast on the traditional Irish bacon and cabbage meal.

While the holiday has deep religious and cultural roots, it has become a major commercial event for many businesses.

17 Golden Ideas to Conquer the Lucky Season

This day is brimming with a whole lot of greens on it. Apart from parades, people gather and wear significant items that will make their day more delightful. Listed below are some celebration promotions ideas that will help you plan your marketing campaign for this festive mood.

1. “Pot of Gold” Giveaway

Host a social media giveaway where participants have to share a photo of themselves dressed in green or participate in a St. Patrick’s Day activity to win a prize package filled with goodies, including a “pot of gold” with chocolates or gold coins.

2. Shamrock Selfie” Contest

Encourage customers to take selfies with shamrock decorations or products in your store, then share them on social media with a branded hashtag for a chance to win a gift card or prize.

3. Limited-Edition St. Patrick’s Day Products

Create exclusive St. Patrick’s Day-themed merchandise or packaging to entice customers and drive sales. This exclusivity can create a sense of urgency and excitement among consumers, encouraging them to make purchases.

Here’s a great example of a successful St. Patrick’s marketing idea by Guinness. 

This promotion by Guinness announces that with every purchase of three pints of Guinness for $45, you will be given celebratory St Patrick’s Day Merchandise, which is either a hat or a T-shirt.

4. “Luck of the Irish” Discount

Offer a special discount or promotion on St. Patrick’s Day-themed products or services, such as green-themed items or Irish-inspired food and drinks. Use the tagline “Get the Luck of the Irish with [Your Brand]!”

5. “Green Mile Fun Run”

Organise a St. Patrick’s Day-themed fun run or walk with green-themed race bibs, finisher medals shaped like shamrocks, and post-race festivities featuring Irish music and refreshments.

6.  “Leprechaun’s Loot” Treasure Hunt

Hide small pots of gold (filled with chocolate coins or other treats) around your store or local area and provide clues or a treasure map for customers to find them. Offer discounts or prizes to those who successfully locate the hidden treasures.

7. “Irish Trivia Night”

Host a St. Patrick’s Day-themed trivia night at your establishment or online, featuring questions about Irish history, culture, and traditions. Offer prizes for the winners, such as gift cards or themed merchandise.

8. Luck O’ the Draw” Raffle

Sell raffle tickets to win a grand prize, such as a trip to Ireland or a luxury gift basket filled with Irish-themed goodies. Donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity.

9. “Irish Happy Hour”

Host a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired happy hour event at your bar or restaurant, featuring drink specials on Irish beers, whiskey cocktails, and green-themed beverages. Offer live music or entertainment to enhance the atmosphere. You may also design your place relevant to the celebration.

Here’s an example of a creative Happy Hour promo and display by Heineken.

Heineken did a great job using the beer tower as a custom beer display, and decorating it with a green hat is also a fantastic way to sustain customers’ interest. The beer tower became the focal point of the venue, drawing in customers who might be wondering what the hats are for.

10. Host a “Wear Green” Event

Encourage employees to wear green and engage in promotional activities to create a festive atmosphere in-store. You may also offer discounts or rewards to customers who wear green when they visit your business on St. Patrick’s Day.

11. Lucky Charm Bingo

Host a St. Patrick’s Day-themed bingo night, with prizes for winners such as gift cards, themed merchandise, or even cash jackpots. Serve green-themed snacks and drinks to add to the festive atmosphere.

12. “Green Pet Parade”

Organise a pet parade or costume contest where participants dress up their pets in green-themed outfits or St. Patrick’s Day costumes. Offer prizes for the most creative or festive costumes.

13. “Irish Cooking Class”

Partner with a local chef or culinary expert to host a St. Patrick’s Day-themed cooking class, where participants can learn how to make traditional Irish dishes such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, or soda bread.

14. “Shamrock Shake Fundraiser”

Partner with a local charity or nonprofit organization to host a fundraiser featuring St. Patrick’s Day-inspired treats, such as green milkshakes or baked goods. Donate a portion of the proceeds to support a worthy cause.

15. “Luckiest Customer of the Day”

Surprise one lucky customer each hour with a complimentary St. Patrick’s Day-themed drink, such as a green beer, Irish coffee, or shamrock shake, when they purchase at your store or visit your establishment. Announce the winners on social media to generate excitement and encourage foot traffic.

Here’s an excellent St. Patrick’s Day Promotion by Heineken. To acquire this limited edition gift from Heineken, customers will have to purchase two 1 draft beers and fulfil the requirement of either being Irish or being dressed in Green. Customers can redeem their limited edition gift only after the requirements are fulfilled.

St. Patrick's Marketing Ideas- Complimentary Gift

16. “Green Office Challenge”

Encourage businesses in your community to participate in a “green office” challenge, where employees dress in green, decorate their workspaces, and participate in St. Patrick’s Day- themed activities throughout the day. Offer prizes for the most creative or spirited office.

17. “Irish Dance Flash Mob”

Organise a surprise Irish dance flash mob in a busy public area or downtown square, featuring dancers dressed in green and performing traditional Irish dance routines. Hand out flyers or coupons promoting your business to spectators during the event.

Last-Minute Tips for Running  St. Patrick’s Day Marketing Campaigns

Here are some last-minute tips to help you run your St. Patrick’s Day marketing ideas successfully:

  • Social Media Blitz

Use your social media channels to promote your St. Patrick’s Day events and promotions. Share engaging content, such as countdowns, behind-the-scenes looks, and sneak peeks to build excitement.

  • Email Campaigns

Send out last-minute email reminders to your subscribers about your St. Patrick’s Day activities and offers. Include enticing subject lines and vibrant visuals to grab attention.

  • Decorate Your Space

Create a festive atmosphere in your store or establishment by decorating with green balloons, shamrock banners, and other St. Patrick’s Day themed decorations. This will help attract passersby and get them in the holiday spirit.

  • Capture User-Generated Content

Encourage customers to share photos and experiences from your St. Patrick’s Day festivities on social media using a branded hashtag. Repost this user-generated content to showcase the excitement surrounding your brand.

March is abundant with holidays that provide excellent opportunities for businesses like you to engage with your audience and generate buzz around your brand.

Here are some special holidays to watch out for and create marketing ideas to implement.

Get Lucky this Season…

St. Patrick’s Day provides businesses with a fun and exciting occasion to connect with customers, increase brand visibility, and boost sales. By implementing these creative marketing ideas, you can tap into the St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasm, capture audience attention, and drive growth for your business.

So, go ahead, unleash the luck of the Irish and make this St. Patrick’s Day a memorable one for your brand!

How Can ODM Help?

The ODM Group have helped thousands of companies since 2003. From Concept through to Production, we provide every service needed to bring new ideas to market.

If you have special promotion planned and looking for a partner to source, design and product your custom merchandise, feel free to connect with out team. Our designers and merchandisers are here to assist you with all your marketing needs.

St. Patrick’s Day Marketing Ideas FAQs

All you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day Marketing Ideas!

How can I incorporate St. Patrick's Day into my marketing strategy?

There are many ways to incorporate St. Patrick's Day into your marketing strategy. Consider running themed promotions, hosting events or contests, offering special discounts on green-themed products or services, and leveraging social media to engage with your audience using St. Patrick's Day hashtags and imagery.

What types of businesses can benefit from St. Patrick's Day marketing ideas?

St. Patrick's Day marketing ideas can benefit a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, bars, retail stores, online shops, event venues, and service-based businesses. Any business that can offer St. Patrick's Day-themed products, services, or experiences can capitalize on the holiday to attract customers and drive sales.

Is it too late to implement St. Patrick's Day marketing ideas if the holiday is approaching quickly?

While it's ideal to plan ahead for holidays like St. Patrick's Day, it's not too late to implement last-minute marketing ideas. Consider running social media promotions, sending out email campaigns, decorating your store or establishment, and offering special discounts or promotions to attract customers and capitalize on the holiday spirit.