Search for shamrocks, don the green garb, and dance a jig … Richmond’s ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day events are springing up all over town. The actual holiday falls on Tuesday, March 17, but there are plenty of festivities going on the weekend before.

If you’re craving corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Guinness, or even Lucky Charms (they are magically delicious, after all), here are some ideas for where to go to enjoy live music, green beer, Irish food and culture, and family-friendly fun.  

Church Hill Irish Festival

Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22 | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.  

The Church Hill Irish Festival takes place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 25th and Broad streets. The 35th annual event features traditional Irish food prepared by the church and local neighborhood restaurants as well as more than 50 Irish vendors, live music, artisans, face painting, kids’ games, Irish and Highland dance, and bagpipers.

Saturday kicks off with a parade at 10 a.m., while the Hill Topper 5K takes place on Sunday at 9 a.m.

The festival benefits St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Child Savers, St. John’s Church, Chimborazo School, Church Hill Boys and Girls Club, and more. There’s a suggested $5 donation.

Official St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl

Saturday, March 14 | 1–9 p.m.

Gather some friends and crawl (or walk, if you prefer) around downtown Richmond as you check out different bars and pubs. Your Official St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl ticket includes things like a color-changing cup, a costume contest, waived door cover charges, DJs at select venues, map of the venues, drink and food specials, and a kick-off, a half-time, and an after-party. There will also be videographers and photographers to catch all of the shenanigans.

O’Toole’s Restaurant and Pub

If you’re not in a big party mood, but still want to bring in some Irish spirit, O’Toole’s Restaurant, at 4800 Forest Hill, will be featuring live music over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Saturday, March 14

• Whiskey Business at 8 p.m.

Monday, March 16

• The Donnybrooks at 4 p.m.
• Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums at 7 p.m.
• Pugsy Mahone at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17

• The Donnybrooks at 11 a.m.
• Pipers at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Pugsy Mahone at 4 pm.
• The Hullaballos at 8 p.m.

Rosie’s St. Patrick’s Party

Saturday, March 14 | 11 a.m.

Rosie Connolly’s Pub will be serving pints all day at indoor and outdoor bars. There will be music, Irish dancing, and bagpipes on the patio.

21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival

Saturday, March 14 | 10 a.m.–2 a.m.

Hosted by Sine Irish Pub, the St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival takes place on Cary Street. Tents are set up so no worries about rain. Come out and enjoy green beer, Irish draft beer, traditional Irish food, and live music from bands that include Nobody’s Poet, The Mashup, and Powerdaze.

Shamrock the Block

Saturday, March 14 | noon to 6 p.m.

The always-popular Shamrock the Block is in its 16th year. Commonly known as the start to festival season in the Richmond area, it takes place on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The street will be closed from Leigh Street to Broad Street. Come out and enjoy live music, kids’ areas, food vendors, craft beer, and lots and lots of green. This year’s bands include local band Weekend Plans, Redneck Pool Party, and For Those About to Rock—An AC/CD Tribute.

Shockoe Bottom Blarney Bash

Saturday, March 14 | noon to 5 p.m.

The Shockoe Bottom Blarney Bash takes place at 17th Street Marketplace. Enjoy food, drinks, and Irish dancing, bagpipes, and live music on the patio.

St. Patrick’s Day at Legend Brewing

Saturday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 17 | 11:30 a.m–11 p.m.

Come by Legend Brewing Company on Saturday or Tuesday to enjoy special food and drink menu items. Be sure to try out the Irish stout.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Sunday, March 15 | 10 a.m.

A day trip to Williamsburg is always fun, and what better way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day than with your thrill-seeking family at America’s Most Beautiful Theme Park? Busch Gardens’ Ireland village gets decked out in green and has a full lineup of festivities and events such as beer seminars, brewery talks with Smartmouth Beer, DJ performances, and the Killarney Village Band.

Sit back with a green beer or Irish coffee at Grogan’s Grill or catch the award-winning Celtic Fyre Irish step dancing show at Abbey Stone Theatre. Ride Finnegan’s Flyer and Battle for Eire, do some shopping at Emerald Isle Gifts and Toys O’ The Leprechaun, or try some traditional Irish food at Grogan’s Irish Pub, O’Tators, and Squire’s Grille.

In honor of its 45th anniversary, the park is celebrating with a special Passholder Sneak Peek on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests with season passes are welcome to come and find out all that’s going on in the park, check out progress on the all-new Pantheon roller coaster, and enjoy lots of thrilling coasters, kids’ rides, animal encounters, and musical shows.

What’s your favorite Richmond St. Patrick’s Day event? Let us know in the comments.