2024’s leap year stole a bit of luck from the Irish this year as, if it weren’t a leap year, St. Patrick’s Day would have fallen on a Saturday for the first time since 2018. So to combat this the Irish are making their own luck this St. Patrick’s Day–and it involves a totally made-up holiday!
Jameson Irish Whiskey decided to not wait until 2029 for the next time St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday, and instead created a made-up holiday: Jameson St. Patrick’s Eve, falling this weekend on Saturday, March 16th, 2024.
Johan Radojewski, Vice President of Marketing, Jameson Irish Whiskey, stated:
When Leap Year skipped over a Saturday St. Patrick’s Day, we did exactly what a Jameson would do: we created a completely new holiday so people can start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day a little early. We teamed up with Colin Jost and Michael Che to help us seize this moment and encourage everyone to embrace St. Patrick’s Eve.
On St. Patrick’s Eve, Jameson will fully take over Times Square with the most fabulous celebrations. Co-hosted by comedians Colin Jost and Michael Che the celebration will feature a surprise DJ performance, giveaways, and more from 6pm to 10pm.
But even more than that, Times Square’s iconic New Year’s Eve ball will drop for the first-of-its-kind “rock drop.” The ball will drop at 8pm–midnight in Ireland–to mark the celebration.
And don’t worry if you don’t have any green garb in your closet!
Because a holiday this special deserves a stylish look, Jameson has released limited-edition, vintage-inspired jackets which include a hidden pocket inside the jacket to perfectly hold a Jameson hip flask that comes with the order. Jacket proceeds benefit the Restaurant Workers’ Community Fund (RWCF).
Colin Jost stated in a press release:
I don’t believe in leap years which is why I’m several days late for every appointment. But for all you sheep who trust Big Calendar and think February ‘sometimes’ has an extra day, we’ve gotten you off the hook by inventing a new holiday, St. Patrick’s Eve. And like I keep yelling at my family and therapist, ‘This isn’t just an excuse to party on Saturday as well as Sunday. It’s a real holiday.’
Fans can enter for a chance to score a spot on the guest list for the celebration here. Those who can’t make it in-person can tune into the rock drop live stream online here.
🍀 Saturday, March 16th, 6pm – 10pm
📍 Good Morning America Plaza, Times Square