Dig out your green T-shirts, call up your Irish connections, and run wild through the streets like crazed leprechauns. St Patrick's Day is here.

Unlike Shanghai, there's no parade and our St Patrick's Day Ball on Saturday 13 is waiting-list only. So what are you going to do? We've compiled some green-day activities for all to enjoy.

To make the most of your day of Emerald Isleness, join up with the St Patrick's Society (www.stpatrickshk.com), which kicks off the day with a mass for St Patrick at St Joseph's Church (16 Caine Rd, Central, 2522 8212). But don’t fret about the God stuff – the society brings out the sauce in short order with some post-mass Irish coffees.

Head to the Football Club on Wednesday 17 for a party for the non-drinkers (your children) from 3pm-6pm with face painting, Irish dancing, party games, food and soft drinks (contact dorrained@hotmail.com for more details and to confirm attendance).

Luckily for us, most bars will be showing off their four-leaf clover pride, but a few pubs are offering up genuine emerald Eire in a glass. We recommend Delaney's (18 Luard Rd, Wan Chai, 2804 2880; and Basement, Mary Bldg, 71-77 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2301 3980) and Dublin Jack (1/F, 17 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2543 0081) for the real deal.

Both Delaney's and Dublin Jacks will have an Irish band playing; and Delaney's hosts the official after party for the St Patrick's Day Ball on Saturday 13 with a live band from Ireland performing from 3am-6am and again on Wednesday 17 from 9pm-3am. Dublin Jacks gets their share of the authentic Irish tunes on Wednesday 17 from 3pm-6pm. Both bars will be offering promotions on Irish beers and a special set lunch all week.

If you’re looking for a dark(side) beer, check out Kowloon's newest Irish beer den, The Shamrock (Shop A, G/F, Kowloon Centre, 29-39 Ashley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2375 3088), ready to kick up and celebrate in the name of a Saint.

For those who like their green pride with a touch of rainbow or just a place to dance a jig, Fruit-i-licious hosts "a homage to all things Irish and camp" at Rockschool on Wednesday 17 (8pm-1am, 2/F, The Phoenix, 21-25 Luard Rd, Wan Chai, $50 entry incl. 1 drink). Money raised goes to the W.I.S.E. charity, helping women in Asia out of poverty.

Make sure to take advantage of the one time a year that Hong Kong actually goes green.

Andrew James