I'm in charge of a St. Patrick's Day dinner at my church. Singing, traditional dancing, corned beef and cabbage, the whole 9 yards.
In Boston, Irish pride had a distinctly political and defiant edge to it for decades. In Suffolk County(where Boston is located), its a holiday officially called "Evacuation Day" (March 17, 1776 was when the British army was finally forced out of Boston) but it was established by the first Irish American mayors and city councilmen in the 20th century as "our" holiday.
My boss was from Ireland, and she remembered St. Pat's day as "another day we had to go to Church" but there is a big parade in Dublin now, as well. The parade through South Boston is quite the deal.
There is always a big squabble about gay organizations marching in the parade, I can't actually remember if its OK in Boston this year or not.