While traditionally when you think of Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations, you may think of Chicago or Savannah, don’t look past the festivities right here in the Queen City! Charlotte boasts a robust calendar of Saint Patrick’s Day activities fit for the whole clan (get it?!), starting this weekend!
The Green River Revival Festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center is a free day of family fun this Saturday, March 11th (aside from a charge for parking). From Yoga at 9:30 am, to the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run, to a Cornhole Tournament at 2:00pm, there’s plenty of physical activity to get everyone moving and grooving. To top it off, there will be live music starting at 12:00pm, and the river itself will be dyed green at 1:00pm! While there, enjoy the many outdoor activities offered at the USNWC – from rafting to ziplining – this place has it all!
For the party enthusiasts, there’s Charlotte’s 17th Annual Rich & Bennett’s St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. It may surprise you that this event is the world’s largest pub crawl – so it’s your chance to be a part of something quite monumental! By purchasing your $20 Rich & Bennett’s Pub Crawl t-shirt you’ll be eligible for free cover and drink specials at participating bars. The event kicks off at The Pub Crawl Party Lot (219 E 7th Street) on Saturday, March 11th at 12:00pm with food trucks and a DJ, and is sure to be a wild time with over 20,000 participants! Come adorned in your most festive attire!
On Saturday, March 11th and Sunday, March 12th, the Latta Plantation is hosting its Latta Celtic Festival. The festival features live music, food and beer vendors, arts and crafts vendors and historic Celtic Demonstrations. There’s story time and visits with farm animals for the kids, as well as a Saturday night music fundraiser for those with later bedtimes. Celebrate Celtic culture in a historic and beautiful setting!
The festivities end with the big shebang – the 21st Annual Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Charlotte Goes Green Festival on Saturday, March 18th. The parade, which begins at 11:00am, runs through uptown, starting at N. Tryon Street and 9th Street (see parade map here). The parade is filled with Irish bagpipes and Irish dancers, as well as a multitude of floats from families and businesses across the region. You’ll see cheerleaders and drill teams, police and firemen and everything in between! In addition to the Parade, the adjoining family festival, which is located at S. Tryon Street between 3rd Street and Stonewall Street, runs from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Not only does it feature performances by dancers and musicians, but it includes games and rides for children, a plethora of food and drink vendors (hello, green beer!) and many, many hand-crafted goods for purchase. Take the whole family and enjoy a day of fun!
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, remember that you don’t have to be green with envy at your friends traveling far and wide to revel in the fun because Charlotte has your holiday covered!
South Charlotte Newcomers! 