Parades, performances and bar crawls in store for St. Patrick's Day
Note: This story has corrected the municipalities of Grosse Pointe Woods and Orion Township.
Metro Detroiters who love a good parade have two options this year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to Detroit’s traditional St. Patrick’s Parade, the Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns after a four-year hiatus.
The Detroit parade kicks things off Sunday in Corktown, the city’s oldest neighborhood named after Ireland’s County Cork by early Irish settlers. It will feature its traditional lineup of marching bands, pipe and drum bands, color guard units, floats, clowns and Model T antique cars, led by Grand Marshals Maureen and Norm Root.
The parade will also have its morning “Corktown Races” runs plus a Family Fun Zone with Irish entertainment, step dancing lessons, face painting, refreshments, parking and a heated grandstand view of the parade, plus appearances from Detroit mascots Paws and Roary.
“It’s a wonderful day to come down with the family and experience the green of the Irish and the camaraderie and friendship of the Detroit Irish people,” said Mike Kelly, the Detroit parade’s chairman.
The Royal Oak parade takes place the following weekend on March 16 with its own array of festive floats, bagpipes, classic cars and local school and sports groups, plus dancing leprechauns.
Al Carter, the chairperson of the Royal Oak parade, said it’s the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Oakland County and a tradition for Royal Oak and its surrounding communities.
“People can expect a lot of energy and positive emotions with the return of the Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade after four long years,” he said. “We are so excited to bring it back to Royal Oak.”
In addition to the parades, Metro Detroiters have lots of options to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, including Irish performances, cocktail classes and plenty of bar crawls and parties.
Here’s a list of events:
Sunday
41st Annual St. Patrick's Parade Corktown Races, Detroit
Before the parade, runners can enjoy taking part in the 41st Annual St. Patrick’s Parade Corktown Races. The event has options for various levels, including the Kids Quarter Mile at 10:30 a.m. ($20), the Emerald Mile at 10:40 a.m. ($25), the Corktown 5k at 11 a.m. ($45) or the combination Dublin Double ($55). Registration opens at 9 a.m. at Roosevelt Park at 2405 Vernor Highway in Detroit. For details, visit www.corktownrace.com.
Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Detroit
Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns with a day of Irish-themed activities and a grand procession of marching bands, bagpipers, floats, color guards and Model T cars. Its accompanying Family Fun Zone offers Irish entertainment, step dancing lessons, face painting, refreshments, parking and a heated grandstand view of the parade, plus appearances from Detroit mascots Paws and Roary. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. on the corner of Sixth Street and Michigan Avenue. The Family Fun Zone nearby runs from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Tickets are Tickets are $12 per person or get a six-ticket Family Pack for $60. For more information, visit www.detroitstpatricksparade.com.
March 14-15
Irish Cocktail-Making Class, Grosse Pointe Farms and Garden City
Tammy’s Tastings is offering “Drink Me, I’m Irish!” where participants will learn about, sample and make cocktails with ingredients made from Ireland, like Irish Whisky, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Guinness Stout. The class takes place from 7 - 9 p.m. March 14 at the War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Dr., Grosse Pointe Farms and from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. March 15 at Straight Farmhouse, 6221 Merriman Rd., Garden City. Tickets are $59. For details visit www.tammystastings.com.
Trinity Irish Dance Company at Music Hall, Detroit
The Trinity Irish Dance Company will perform at Detroit’s Music Hall. The Irish-American company is known for a repertoire of traditional Irish step dancing with a contemporary twist. The event takes place at 8 p.m. March 15 at Music Hall 350 Madison St., Detroit. Tickets start at $30. For details visit www.musichall.org.
March 16-17
A Celtic Celebration of Song, Grosse Pointe Woods and Birmingham
The Detroit Concert Choir is offering two performances of traditional Irish songs, dances and instruments to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The first performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church at 467 Fairford Road, Grosse Pointe Woods. The second show will take place at 3 p.m. March 17 at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church at 2225 E. 14 Mile, Birmingham. General admission tickets are $20; students are $10, seniors are $18; group rates are available. For details, visit www.detroitconcertchoir.org.
St. Patrick's Street Party & Leprechaun Bar Crawl, Wyandotte
The St. Patrick's Street Party & Leprechaun Bar Crawl returns with a day of revelry in downtown Wyandotte. The street party takes place at District 142, featuring Irish bands, Irish dancers, bagpipers, Guinness and live music. Shuttles will take partiers to more than a dozen bars for the Leprechaun Bar Crawl. Cover for the street party is $10, and $15 to include the bar crawl. The event starts at noon March 16. Visit www.district142live.com.
Detroit Shamrock Stroll and St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
One Mike Detroit is the starting point for two St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls: the Shamrock Stroll on March 16 and the St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl on March 17. Tickets include access to more than four venues, two to three complimentary drinks and festive drink and food specials, plus free koozies and shot glass necklaces for the first 200 check-ins and an after-party. The party starts at 1 p.m. both days at One Mike Detroit at 1331 Broadway St., Detroit. Tickets start at $13.99 for single-day passes or $19.99 for both. Group discounts are available. For more information, visit www.pubcrawls.com.
Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, Detroit
The Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl returns, offering two or three complimentary drinks, food and drink specials and partying across Baltimore Lounge, Bookie’s Bar & Grille, Brass Rail, Checker Bar Detroit, Love and Tequila, Tin Roof Detroit and The Annex, plus an after-party. The crawl takes place from 4 – 10 p.m. March 16, followed by the afterparty until midnight. Tickets start at $25, discounts are available for groups. Details are available at www.crawlwith.us/detroit.
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at Old Shillelagh, Detroit
Downtown Detroit’s Old Shillelagh’s Irish pub is hosting a weekend of music, drinks and Irish food across three floors for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. March 16 for St. “Practice” Day, followed by their 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party, starting at 7 a.m. March 17. For details visit www.oldshillelagh.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Events at Canterbury Village, Orion Township
Canterbury Village is offering several opportunities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Starting at 11 a.m. March 16, the Village opens with Leprechaun Day where kids can enjoy a lucky coin scavenger hunt, plus bounce houses, magic shows and Irish dance performances. Adults can enjoy “St. Practice Day” starting at 5 p.m. at the Village’s C-Pub with live music and food and drink specials. Both events have a $5 cover. On March 17, the pub will open at 1 p.m. to host its official St. Patrick’s Day party with bagpipes, dancing, Irish food, drink specials and live music. Cover is $6. Both pub events are 21+. Canterbury Village is located at 2325 Joslyn Ct., Orion Township. For details visit www.canterburyvillage.com.
Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Royal Oak
After a four-year hiatus, the Royal Oak St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns with festive floats, marching bands, community organizations, dancing leprechauns and more in downtown Royal Oak. The parade starts at noon, March 16, starting at Royal Oak Middle School (709 N. Washington Ave.) before heading south and turning west on West 7th Street. For details visit www.royaloakstpatricksdayparade.org.
Detroit Shamrock Festival, Detroit
Revelers are encouraged to get “ShamROCKED” at the annual Detroit Shamrock Festival, featuring a day of music, food trucks and drinks including green beer, whiskey, bottle service and drink specials. It takes place from noon - 10 p.m. on March 16 at the Detroit Festival Grounds at 401 Gratiot Ave., Detroit. Tickets range from $5-$50. For details, visit www.detroitshamrockfestival.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, Detroit
Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood is offering a weekend-long St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl, which includes food and drink discounts, DJs and entrance into multiple bars, plus a costume contest. The event takes place March 16 and 17 from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tickets start at $20. For more information, visit www.barcrawllive.com.
The Largest St. Patrick’s Day Party, Fraser
Fraser’s Vintage House is embracing St. Patrick’s Day with its self-proclaimed largest St. Patrick’s Day party in Southeast Michigan. The day-long event features drinks, Irish food, multiple DJs, bands and entertainers, plus a live 95.5 FM broadcast with Spike from Mojo in the Morning. The event opens at 8 a.m. March 17 with no cover until noon or $10 after, located at 31816 Utica Road. For more information, visit www.vintagestpats.com.
St. Paddy’s Day Block Party, Detroit
The Annex, Love And Tequila and Brass Rail return with their St. Patrick’s Day block party in downtown Detroit. Revelers can enjoy multiple DJs, green beer, whiskey shot specials and bottle service across three venues. General admission tickets are $20; VIP booth packages start at $475. The event starts at 11 a.m. March 17, located at 24 W. Adams Ave., Detroit. Visit www.TheAnnexDetroit.com for details.