Need more St. Patrick’s Day ideas?
- Listen to the Arch Eats podcast to discover the best places for Irish food in St. Louis.
- Check out these top Irish pubs in St. Louis to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade | March 15
Drawing crowds of approximately 250,000, the 56th annual downtown parade includes marching bands, balloons, and floats, with more than 135 units and 5,000 marchers. This year, MindsEye provides audio descriptions for the visually impaired. There’s plenty of programming beyond the parade, too. The night before, check out the “Meet the Irish” dinner at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, with cocktails, dinner, a presentation of the parade dignitaries, and, of course, dancing. And on Saturday morning, kick up your slightly less dressy heels at 9 a.m. for the 5-mile run or 3-kilometer “shuffle” through downtown. Parade starts at noon at 8th and Market streets.
St. Patrick’s Day in Dogtown | March 17
Dogtown goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating the neighborhood’s Irish history. And the parade is always on March 17, no matter the day of the week. On Sunday, St. James the Greater church hosts music, tours, a special 4 p.m. mass, and more to celebrate the Emerald Isle. The Ancient Order of Hibernians runs the Monday parade, which steps off at 11 a.m., and neighborhood association Dogtown United hosts an all-day Irish festival starting at 9 a.m.
Pat Connolly Tavern | March 17
Speaking of Dogtown, Pat’s is hosting starting early. On Monday, enjoy a pre-parade breakfast starting at 5:30 a.m. with music all day. And get into an Irish headspace starting with music there on Saturday. VIP booth tickets secure a table, breakfast, and drinks. 6400 Oakland.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. Charles | March 17
Can’t get enough green-tinged promenading? Head to St. Charles for its fourth annual parade, hosted by the St. Charles division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. It starts at the Lewis and Clark Boat House (1050 S. Riverside) and moves along historic Main Street. Parade starts at 4 p.m
St. Patrick’s Kegs & Eggs and Shamrocks & Shenanigans at Ballpark Village | March 15
Ballpark Village has the pregame covered starting at 9:30 a.m. with a brunch buffet and, for VIP admission, two hours of bottomless mimosas and green beer. The parade afterparty, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, goes from 1–5 p.m., with music from The Read Headed Strangers and specials on green beer and cocktails. VIP admission offers an all-inclusive, all-green domestic draft package. Ballpark Village, 601 Clark.
Creve Coeur St. Paddy’s Run | March 15
In Creve Coeur, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with festive runs, or cheer on participants as they take to the streets. There’s a half-marathon, 10k, and 5k (plus a kids’ dash) on Saturday, and the finisher loot is pretty cool: a stein and shamrock cookie, and medals for half marathoners. (There’s a beer waiting for runners ages 21 and up, too.) The run raises money for the ALS Association. The kids’ dash starts at 8:15 a.m., the half marathon and 10k begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 5k begins at 8:45.
St. Pat’s in the Park | March 15
Tower Grove Park gets in on the action from noon–6 p.m. with a party from STL Barkeep and Mighty Kind. Gerard Erker & Friends are at the Music Stand. Enjoy food, cocktails, and a zero-proof lounge, as well as a local vendor market. Admission’s free, and the event is family-friendly.
St. Patrick’s Day Block Party | March 15
Belleville hosts DJs, live music, food trucks, vendors, and fun options for kids following the day’s parade and 5K Lucky Leprechaun Race and Rainbow Dash for youngsters. The run starts at 9 a.m. at the Union Methodist Church, and the party runs from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Main Street.
Eimear Arkins & Eileen Gannon | March 16
Get traditional on Sunday at the Focal Point with Eimear Arkins and Eileen Gannon. The pair, both tutors at St. Louis Irish Arts who play festivals worldwide, bring harp, fiddle, and vocals to the listening room. The show starts at 2 p.m., and tickets are $25–$30.
Family-Friendly Events
At first glance, you might think that St. Patrick’s Day ranks right up there with Mardi Gras in terms of kid-friendliness. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that St. Louis offers a range of tot-friendly St. Pat’s Day–themed activities leading right up to March 17—and none of them (necessarily) involve green beer. Scroll down to read about our picks.
Runs & Skates
When: Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.
Where: Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex, 17925 N. Outer 40
What: Medals are guaranteed in this one-mile fun run geared toward kids. Registration costs $15.
Creve Coeur St. Paddy’s Kids Dash and Fun Run
When: Friday, March 15
Where: 13725 Marine, Maryland Heights
What: Registration for the Fun Run, for ages 13 and under, includes an untimed bib, a shamrock cookie and a finisher pint glass. The free Kids Dash is open to ages 8 and under.
When: Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.
Where: 1385 Motherhead, Cottleville
What: Proceeds from this festive fundraiser benefit organizations like Cottleville Firefighters Outreach, and allow racers the chance to win a coveted green fire helmets.
When: Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.–noon
Where: Skate City, 1400 West, Belleville, Illinois
What: Don your best green attire, enter to win game cards, hunt for gold coins, and treat yourself to a Lucky Charm Float or Skittles-sicle. Kids can add some pizazz to their skate with $1 green glow sticks or make a masterpiece at the coloring station.
Scavenger Hunts
When: Saturday, March 8, 11 a.m.
Where: Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey
What: Kids ages 2–8 will have a blast hunting for special coins and trading them in for fun prizes. The hunt costs $10 for residents and $13 for nonresidents.
When: Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m.
Where: Kirkwood Park, 600 W. Adams
What: Register by March 12, for $12–$15 to participate in this scavenger hunt for a big pot of gold. Follow clues left by clever leprechauns, and should you find the gold, you’ll enjoy a special prize, too.
When: Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.
Where: Bluebird Park, 225 Kiefer Creek
What: A sneaky leprechaun has hidden his gold coins throughout Bluebird Park. Children ages 9 and under gather to collect as many as you can find, and then head inside to make a craft.
Playroom Parties
Music and Me St. Patrick’s Day Classes
When: March 15–19
Where: Hope UCC, 6273 Eichelberger
What: Have a “shamrockin’ good time” at this week-long music series with Laren Loveless Music where kids will learn Irish music, dancing, and more. The drop-in price is $25.
When: Friday, March 14, 9–11 a.m.
Where: Grandma’s Playroom, 9981 Lin Ferry
What: For $18, your kids can enjoy open play at this South County playroom, a fun themed craft by Chill Mom Craft Co., story time, and a yummy snack.
When: Sunday, March 16, 9–11 a.m.
Where: Sky Zone Shrewsbury, 7375 Watson
What: Kids will love the treats and jump time on Sky Zone’s iconic trampolines; parents will love the coffee included with admission. First parent and child get in for $12.99; additional children and parents are $8.99 each. Wear your green.
When: Monday, March 17, 4:15–6:15 p.m.
Where: TotSpot Social, 6451 Clayton
What: Swing by one of the metro area’s hippest new hangouts for littles for a themed playtime, photo op, and craft. Tickets are $15.45, but for an optional add-on, you can also purchase dinner to eat with your little lucky one.
When: Monday, March 17, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Where: Wild Sprouts, 3010 MO-94 G, St. Charles
What: At this kid’s play space, for $15 per child, wear your lucky (green) outfit, make a festive craft, enjoy themed activities, and explore open play with St. Paddy’s surprises.
Parades
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Downtown)
When: Saturday, March 15, noon
Where: 8th and Market, Downtown St. Louis
What: Your tots will love the giant cartoon character balloons that are part of this humongo 120-unit parade celebrating all things Irish. Watch from Market Street; the parade concludes at 22nd.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival (Florissant)
When: Sunday, March 16, noon
Where: Bangert Park and Duchesne Elementary School, 275 S. New Florissant
What: Watch the parade in North County and then head to 50 Rue St. Francois for a festival with Irish dancers, corned beef and other food vendors, and live music.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival (Dogtown)
When: Monday, March 17, 11 a.m.
Where: Tamm and Oakland, Dogtown
What: This parade and festival includes a whole separate family area. Head to the Dogtown Pizza Family Zone, on Oakland Avenue, just east of Tamm, near Turtle Park and the Oakland Playground, where you’ll find a variety of fun activities for kids.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (St. Charles)
When: Monday, March 17, 4 p.m.
Where: Lewis and Clark Boathouse, St. Charles
What: This is one of the more fam-friendly St. Pat’s Day parades, with old-timey fire trucks, stilt walkers, and candy to collect. The parade will travel down Main Street toward First Capitol Drive.
