St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 marks a day of green, leprechauns and Irish festivities. Many also associate this lucky holiday with activities for those over 21, like bar crawling or clubbing.
But Pilots under 21 are still in luck: From marathons to festivals, Portland still has events for all-ages fun. The Beacon has searched far, wide and over the rainbow for activities to fill your weekend with the Irish spirit.
Celtic Light Orchestra
Join the world’s only light-up orchestra, the Celtic Light Orchestra, for a St. Patrick’s Day party on Monday, March 17, at McMenamins Kennedy School. The multi-media and all-ages party will feature jigs, reels, LED lights, Irish dancers and stilt walkers. Tickets for the night of the Celtic Light Orchestra, cultural performances and dance classes can be purchased here.
Paddy’s St. Patrick's Day Festival
Looking to sham-rock all day? Paddy’s Bar & Grill, located in the Historic Powers Building, will host a St. Patrick’s Day festival from 11 a.m. to midnight on Monday, March 17. The celebration will be filled with Irish food specials, dancers, bagpipers and live music for $25 at the door. Come for the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance performance at 12 p.m. and stay for The Jolly Tinkers band at 5:30 p.m. The full festival schedule can be found here.
Shamrock Run Fest
Feeling extra pumped this St. Patrick’s Day? Sweat out that lucky energy at Portland’s 47th annual Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest on March 16. Show up at the Oregon Convention Center Sunday morning in your greenest outfit and participate in the 5K, 8K, half marathon or stride walk. Participants interested in painting the town green at Portland’s longest-running tradition can register here.
Kells Portland Irish Festival
Who says St. Patrick’s Day festivities should be limited to one day of the year? Head to Kells Brewery, Kells Irish Pub and Tom’s McCall Waterfront Park from March 14-17 for a weekend full of live music, food, bagpipers and dance performances at the Kells Portland Irish Festival.
Pilots can bop along to Kells’ Pipes and Drums and the Portland Fire Fighters’ Pipes and Drums on Saturday, March 15, at Tom’s McCall Waterfront Park. Enjoy the musical stylings of the Bob Soper Band and Sami Rouissi Band on Sunday, March 16 at Kells Irish Pub. Finish off the weekend with a performance from the Murray Irish Dancers on Monday, March 17 at Kells Brewery.
Attendees can purchase $20 general admission tickets for one day here. Those interested in the Kells Portland Irish Festival can also explore the packed schedule filtered by location here.
Kiss me, I’m Irish! St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Keep the party going at the two-day Kiss Me, I’m Irish! St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl on Saturday, March 15 and Monday, March 17. Check in at Hallway PDX on NW 3rd Ave from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday and 6-11 p.m. on Monday to begin the eight-bar crawl.
The second stop, BIZU, is the official afterparty of the night you won’t want to miss. Keep up with the bar hopping to meet the vibrant nightlife at Elevate Nightclub and Shake Bar, both nestled in downtown Portland. Pre-purchase a wristband to gain access to drink specials at iconic Portland bars with no cover charge.
Laugh Basement Comedy Show
Why did the leprechaun study environmental science? He wanted to go green. Enjoy a better laugh at the Laugh Basement stand-up comedy showcase at the Goodfoot Pub and Lounge off Southeast Stark Street. The show will feature Pacific Northwest comics, like Ben Harkins and Rachael Young, at 7 p.m. on March 17 and at 10 p.m. on March 18. Tune in to show updates and current lineups here.
Kalena O’Connell is a News Reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at oconnell27@up.edu
