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 on and around Tuesday, March 17!
St. Patrick’s Day Festivals & Events
Our festivities begin the weekend before the big day with Irish Off Ionia (March 14), one of Michigan’s most iconic St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This year’s event is bigger than ever, with double the stages featuring live music and Irish performances, and double the drink tents for faster service and more variety of adult beverages. This is an adult-only (21+) event – as are the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl (March 14), Lucky St Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 14), Best St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 14) and St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 17).
All ages are welcome for downtown GR’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at 11am on March 14. Check out The Irish Remedy after the parade, a free family-friendly celebration featuring 24 curated local DJs inside and outside downtown’s City Built Brewing Co., plus yard games, interactive activities, warming tents and more. The annual Irish Jig 5K, also on March 14, includes a kids run for the first time. If you’re itching to lace up your running shoes earlier, the Time to Paddy 5K/10K/Half Marathon and kids dash takes place in Riverside Park March 1.
You can enjoy Irish food, beer and music all year long at local Irish pubs, but Quinn & Tuites, Dublin Hall 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?
Rockford’s Third Nature Brewing hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration featuring Celtic tunes from the Trillium Irish Band on March 13. Shamrock on Stocking at The Holiday Bar (just steps from the Bridge Street Entertainment District) features green drinks, live vibes and neighborhood shenanigans on March 14. The Vestal Inn, about 15 minutes from downtown GR, hosts a St. Paddy’s Party featuring cover band The House Cats on March 14. Küsterer Brauhaus welcomes Irish Folk musician Toby Bresnahan for a concert, with plenty of Éire Irish Stout on tap. The B.O.B., Blue Water, Bostwick Lake Inn, Flat River Grill, Mangiamo, Nick Fink’s and Rose’s on Reeds Lake restaurants are all offering special Irish-themed food and beverage specials from March 14-17.
In Ireland, pubs are known for their casual and friendly atmosphere, free-flowing conversation, hearty food and drink, and often…
photo by Experience GR (Taken by Bree Girard)
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. Embrace the Irish tradition of elevating joy and wit at any of 30 LaughFest comedy shows (March 10-15). Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum to view verdant pastoral paintings included in The Matter of Awe: Landscapes in Art exhibition. Dream of green seasons ahead at the Ultimate Sport Show (March 12-15), 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.
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Experience Grand Rapids
Experience Grand Rapids is the foremost storyteller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, showcasing the best the region has to offer to visitors and locals alike. No one knows Grand Rapids better than our team, which ventures out into the community every day to explore what makes Grand Rapids special, from our vibrant arts and culture to our award-winning craft beverages, world-class attractions, outdoor recreation and unique neighborhoods. We work tirelessly to promote the region as a premier travel destination, backed by our own first-hand experiences and the resources of trusted partners throughout Kent County. Rely on Experience GR, the Destination Marketing Organization, for the knowledge you need to make life and travel here more rewarding, including insider information, tips & tricks, and the most comprehensive listing of all the cool things to see and do around the area.
