As St. Patrick’s Day nears, McMaster University is reminding students to celebrate safely and be mindful of their surroundings.
“Wherever our students choose to spend St. Patrick’s Day — here in Hamilton or away — we want them to look out for each other, celebrate responsibly, and be considerate of neighbours,” says Sean Van Koughnett, associate vice-president, Students.
“Even though McMaster hasn’t traditionally seen large St. Patrick’s Day crowds, it’s a timely reminder about safety, respect and making good choices.”
The City of Hamilton’s Nuisance Party Bylaw is in effect year-round to protect public safety. Disruptive gatherings at any time can lead to substantial fines, enforced by the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Police Service.
A zero-tolerance zone — known as the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) — will also be enforced from Thursday March 12 at 11:59 pm to Tuesday March 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. to support a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
As well, McMaster is funding increased police patrols in the area surrounding campus over the St. Patrick’s Day period to help maintain community safety.