Oh, St. Patrick’s Day — the annual celebration of green attire, corned beef and cabbage and beers galore. South Florida may not have the largest Irish population, but, when it comes to celebrating the luck o’ the Irish, there is no better place to shake your shamrock than at a So-Flo party. This year’s luckiest holiday is March 17, so be on the lookout for rainbows leading to pots of gold as you celebrate with your friends.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Downtown Delray Beach
Festival: March 11, 5-10 p.m.
Parade and Festival: March 12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
The parade, which has been around since 1968, is part of a non-profit organization that features emergency personnel from different organizations, municipalities and regions every year. This year will highlight South East Florida Honor Flight and U.S. veterans from World War II. After the parade, there will also be a bagpipe band performing at the lawn at Old School Square. To find out the best spots to see the parade, and to find parking garages, visit stpatrickparade.com/directions-parking-viewing.
37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park
March 12, noon-6 p.m.
This annual festival features traditional Irish food, vendors, crafts, kid’s activities, a full-service bar and live entertainment. Performers will include Irish Step Dancers from Breffni School of Irish dance, the Cool Ol’ Dudes Band, St. Andrews Pipe and Drum Band, among others. Admission is free. For more information, visit emeraldsocietysfl.com/Festival, or contact stpatrickssf@gmail.com.
Irish Fest on Flagler
Meyer Auditorium in Downtown West Palm Beach
March 12, noon-11 p.m.
March 13, noon-8 p.m.
The 26th annual festival will feature music, dancing, an Irish marketplace, authentic gifts, vendors, an international food court and Gaelic Mass on Sunday. Performers include, but are not limited to, Fire in the Kitchen, Off Kilter, Tir Na Greine dancers and Young Wolfetones. Admission is $5 for ages 15 and up and free for children under 14. For more information, visit irishflorida.org.
St. Paddy’s Day Festival at Mary Brickell Village
Fado Irish pub
March 15 and March 17, 10 a.m.
The annual festival hosted by Fado Irish Pub is aimed at the 21-and-over crowd and will, once again, be hosted in Mary Brickell Village. The party features DJ stages, bars and beer gardens. The pub will also have a full brunch menu available with bottomless specials until noon. On March 15, the pub will also host a free team trivia event for groups of up to eight people to win a $1,000 grand prize. Attendees who wear St. Patrick’s Day attire will have a point added to their group’s overall score. For more information, visit fadoirishpub.com.
