If you need proof that South Jersey doesn’t mess around when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, here it is.

New data from BetMGM Casino shows New Jersey is officially the most “celebration-intense” state in America heading into St. Patrick’s Day 2026. And honestly? No one who’s ever spent March in Atlantic City is surprised.

St Patrick's Day Is Celebrated In Dublin
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New Jersey Ranked Number 1 For St. Patrick's Day Hype

According to the study, New Jersey ranked first overall in “Celebration Intensity.” The ranking measured St. Patrick’s Day-related searches, including costumes, party supplies, green clothing, Irish music and artists, plus alcohol and drinkware.

The data was adjusted for population and Irish ancestry levels using U.S. Census Bureau figures, making the Garden State’s top ranking even more impressive.

Translation? We’re not just celebrating because of heritage. We’re going all in.

ACNJ St Patrick's Day Parade 2026
Atlantic City St Patricks Day Parade | Canva
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Atlantic City Is Built For This Holiday

If there’s one place that embodies that energy, it’s Atlantic City.

Between the casinos, Irish bars, boardwalk parties, live music, and full-weekend events, AC turns St. Patrick’s Day into a marathon, not a one-night thing. The green outfits come out early, the bagpipes echo down the boardwalk, and the drink specials don’t quit.

St Patricks Day
Atlantic City St Patrick's Day Parade
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Momentum Is Strong Heading Into 2026

What makes this even bigger? New Jersey maintained strong momentum compared to 2023 and 2024. Based on the most recent full-year data available, we’re heading into 2026 with more St. Patrick’s Day enthusiasm than anywhere else in the country.

So if you’re planning your St. Patrick’s Day weekend now, just know, the rest of America is trying to keep up with us.

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In true Jersey fashion, we’re already three steps ahead.

Atlantic City Area: Readers Share Favorite Childhood Memories

Gallery Credit: Harry Hurley

LOOK: Best Beers From Every State

To find the best beer in each state and Washington D.C., Stacker analyzed January 2020 data from BeerAdvocate, a website that gathers user scores for beer in real-time. BeerAdvocate makes its determinations by compiling consumer ratings for all 50 states and Washington D.C. and applying a weighted rank to each. The weighted rank pulls the beer toward the list's average based on the number of ratings it has and aims to allow lesser-known beers to increase in rank. Only beers with at least 10 rankings to be considered; we took it a step further to only include beers with at least 100 user rankings in our gallery. Keep reading to find out what the best beer is in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C.

Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood