9 spirited St. Patrick’s Day events throughout the region
From foot-stomping Celtic concerts in Davis and Folsom to a "bike bus" pub crawl through downtown, here are 9 fun things to do in Sacramento to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17.
36 Handles Pub & Eatery
March 12-19
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all week long at this El Dorado Hills pub with a jam-packed series of events that kicks off with Guinness specials March 12 and continues to St. Patrick’s Day with all-you-can-eat corned beef and cabbage, green Jello shots and Irish rock ’n’ roll tunes from local band Whiskey and Stitches. You’ll find more beer specials at a hangover breakfast on March 18, and the weekend concludes with a beer-tasting event March 19 featuring over 20 breweries like Ballast Point, Knee Deep and Fieldwork Brewing Co. Event times vary. 1010 White Rock Rd. El Dorado Hills. 941-3606. 36handles.com/events
An Irish Hooley
March 12
This popular showcase of foot-stomping Irish pub songs and ballads in Folsom is back for a raucous evening featuring the six-piece Slugger O’Toole band, which employs diverse instruments including a pennywhistle, accordion, mandolin, banjo and fiddle to get the audience clapping along. The Kerry Dance Troupe, a group of award-winning competitive Irish dancers, will also take the stage. $19-$39. 8 p.m. Harris Center. 10 College Pkwy. Folsom. 608-6888. harriscenter.net
Off the Chain Shamrockin’ Bus Tours
March 12-20
Hop aboard Off the Chain’s 15-seater bike bus to pedal your way to St. Paddy’s Day festivities around town, while singing karaoke tunes and playing trivia games aboard the bus. The tour will make three stops at deVere’s Irish Pub, Streets Pub & Grub and Republic Bar & Grill and you can bypass bar lines with special VIP access. $450 per group tour. 903-3987. sactownbikebus.com
Shamrock’n Half Marathon
March 12-13
You’ll be seeing green at this 12th annual event benefiting the Triumph Cancer Foundation as runners don their favorite shamrock shirts, tutus and leprechaun costumes for a 5k run and half marathon through downtown and along Capitol Mall, ending at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Kids can get in on the action during the half-mile Leprechaun Dash. Also, look for live music along the race route from the Element Brass Band, Mumbo Gumbo and the Freebadge Serenaders, as well as beer and barbecue at the finish line. Times and prices vary. Raley Field 400 Ballpark Dr. West Sacramento. 376-4700. shamrocknhalf.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 12
Step out for this annual event in Old Sacramento featuring a jolly procession of Irish and Highland dancers in traditional Celtic costumes, bagpipers, marching bands and actors donning Gold Rush period dress as they weave through the cobblestone streets of Old Sacramento. Pipe and drum music will keep the whole family in high spirits, and everyone can participate in activities like face painting, St. Patrick’s-themed hair styling from Lace Salon and the chuggabug children’s train ride. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. in front of the California Railroad Museum. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. oldsacramento.com
Altan & Lúnasa with Tim O’Brien: A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 17
This annual showcase of Irish musicians will transport you to the Emerald Isle as Altan performs traditional music from northern Ireland and Lunasa shakes things up with its unique blend of flute, pipe and fiddle with bass and guitar. American bluegrass musician Tim O’Brien will join the ensemble, and you can catch a free performance by Celtic-Americana rock band One Eyed Reilly as well as free beer tastings with brews from Track 7, Heretic and Lagunitas. $12.50-$45. 7 p.m. Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall. Mrak Hall Dr. and Old Davis Rd. Davis. 530-754-2787. mondaviarts.org
DeVere’s Irish Pub
March 17
Sacramento’s popular Irish pub will keep the Guinness and Jameson flowing, as well as mixed drinks like Irish coffees and car bombs, this St. Paddy’s Day. You’ll find a photo booth with St. Patrick’s-themed props, a menu of Irish pub food like corned beef and cabbage and Reuben sandwiches, and performances by kilt-clad members of both the Sacramento Firefighters Pipes and Drums group and the Pipes and Drums of California, who play traditional bagpipes and several kinds of drums. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. 1521 L St. 231-9947. deverespub.com
The Boxing Donkey Irish Pub & Restaurant
March 17
This Roseville Irish pub is going big for its all-day St. Patrick’s celebration during which it will prepare 1,200 lbs. of corned beef and over 40 kegs of Guinness and green beer. Visit the outdoor bars, take a photo with a live donkey, and check out multiple stages with live music from the likes of ’90s alternative cover band Total Recall, Irish jiggers Bobby and the Kennedys, and traditional bagpipers. $10 ($5 before 1 p.m.). 6 a.m.-2 a.m. 300 Lincoln St. Roseville. 797-3665. theboxingdonkey.com
St. Patrick’s Day with the Sacramento Public Library
March 17 & 19
Take the little ones to the Del Paso Heights Library March 17 and 19 for all-day glow-in-the-dark craft sessions, during which kids can create their own light-up St. Patrick’s Day decorations and listen to an Irish-themed story time featuring the children’s book Two Wily Boys and the Wilier Leprechaun. Or, catch An Irish Tale with the Puppet Company by an acclaimed Bay-Area based puppeteer group who will blend Irish folk tales and music on March 17 at the Arcade Library. Del Paso Heights Library: Free. (All Day). 920 Grand Ave. 264-2700. Arcade Library: Free. (4 p.m.-5 p.m.). 2443 Marconi Ave. 264-2700. saclibrary.org
You Might Also Like
Bright Underbelly mural to be unveiled with festive events
New Gold Rush-inspired brewery changes opens in Rancho Cordova
10 Sacramento Instagrammers you should be following right now
