• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, March 5, 2015

The National Retail Federation reports that a long, bleak winter has Americans eager to get their green on, with consumers planning to spend a few shillings more on this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

It predicts spending of $36.52 per Shamrocker, compared with $35.78 last year. And despite the holiday falling on a not-so-fun Tuesday, the Washington-based trade group estimates total spending will come in at $4.6 billion.

About 33.3 million people in the U.S. claim Irish ancestry, says the U.S. Census Bureau, or more than seven times the population of Ireland. And after German, it’s the country’s second-most frequently reported European ancestry.

The survey, conducted for the NRF by Prosper Insights and Analytics and based on responses from more than 6,000 consumers, forecasts that about 127 million Americans will mark the day somehow, with 82.4% wearing green and 22.8% planning to decorate their homes somehow.

But as usual, it will generate the most cash for bars and restaurants, which typically rate St. Patrick’s Day as one of their biggest revenue sources. This year, 29.2% of those included in the online survey will seek shenanigans at a bar or restaurant, 19% plan to attend a private party, and 30% intend to make a special meal. Younger consumers — those between 25 and 34 — are most likely to hit a bar or restaurant, and also likely to spend the most, at $41.69.

Men, affluent consumers (those with a household income of $50,000 or higher) and people living in the West are slightly more likely to celebrate. (That makes sense, since the U.S. Census Bureau reports that with 2.5 million people of Irish ancestry, California is the most Hibernian state. And Massachusetts has among the highest percentage of Irish Americans, at 21.2%.)

“Retailers are hoping St. Patrick’s Day will also draw the attention of those looking for traditional spring merchandise,” says Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO, in its release, “as consumers take the opportunity to stock up for warm months ahead with home improvement, garden and apparel purchases.”