The luck o’ the Irish is with you if you’re spending St. Patrick’s Day in Grand Rapids  – because we’ve got all sorts of wonderful ways to celebrate with friends and family. The Irish were among the first immigrants to this area, coming here in the early 19th century to help dig canals along the Grand River, so Irish heritage is Grand Rapids heritage. Get your green on and join in the fun!

St. Patrick’s Day Festivals & Events

St. Patrick’s Day 2025 is Monday, March 17 – but the celebration kick into high gear the weekend before that. Irish Off Ionia (March 15) is the new name for one of Michigan’s most beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions, as the former Irish on Ionia street festival relocates to downtown GR’s Calder Plaza to provide more space and an enhanced guest experience. Adults 21+ can celebrate with Irish beer and cocktails, food, live entertainment and more from 11am-9pm. Adults can also join the GR St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 14, 15 & 17), Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl or Grand Rapids’ Best St. Patrick’s Weekend Bar Crawl (March 15 & 16).

Also on March 15: The 41st Annual Irish Jig 5K in East Grand Rapids welcomes runners, walkers and spectators for an 8am race. Downtown GR’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 11am. Spruced Studio presents Suds & Salami! A St. Patrick’s Charcuterie Workshop that evening. A day earlier (March 14), Rockford’s Thought Design hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Cooking Class.

St. Patrick’s Days Pubs & Breweries

You can enjoy Irish food, beer and music all year long at local Irish pubs, but Flanagan’s, Quinn & Tuites and O’Toole’s Public House really pull out all the stops for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Green beer may not be on the menu at every local craft brewery – but you’re sure to find lots of Irish-themed selections and specials throughout the holiday weekend. Or perhaps you prefer to celebrate the season with an Irish – or at least green – cocktail?

LGBTQ+ bar General Wood Shop presents a St. Moscatty’s Comedy Drag Show on March 16, the same day meat-and-whiskey restaurant One Bourbon hosts A Brunch of Bourbon & Gold, a drag brunch “where everyone gets lucky.” That afternoon, Küsterer Brauhaus welcomes Irish Folk musician Toby Bresnahan for a concert, with plenty of Éire Irish Stout on tap. Irish-influenced musical trio The Langford Lads perform live at Creston Brewery on March 17.

Drinks

Irish Pubs in Grand Rapids

In Ireland, pubs are known for their casual and friendly atmosphere, free-flowing conversation, hearty food and drink, and often…

photo by Bree Girard for Experience GR

St. Patrick’s Day Things to Do

Get away to someplace green (and warm) this holiday – the lush tropical conservatory at Meijer Gardens, which is hosting its annual Butterflies are Blooming exhibition through April 30. Visit The Green Room at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, one of six hue-specific rooms that are part of the Museum’s dazzling Nature of Color show. Create something green in the interactive building area that is part of Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO exhibition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Dream of a green spring and summer at the Ultimate Sport Show (March 13-16), West Michigan’s premier fishing, hunting and outdoor show. And speaking of outdoors – you can also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a hike or bike, steelhead fishing adventure or even a round of golf, if the weather cooperates.