Minnesota News

Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend in Minnesota

people dressed up in green wave to onlookers
Jeff Schmidt (center) waves to onlookers during St. Paul’s annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday.
Tim Evans for MPR News

Posted: March 15, 5:54 p.m. | Updated: March 16, 5:00 p.m.

Bring out the soda bread and green food coloring: St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, though many celebrations across Minnesota span the weekend.

Here are a few events to enjoy the festivities.

Twin Cities metro

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade | St. Paul

Starting at noon on Saturday, the parade begins at Rice Park and runs to Mears Park. It’s the original route the parade took in 1967. The parade is an hour long.

St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration | St. Paul

The annual celebration at the Landmark Center brings together Irish dance and cuisine, music, Celtic vendors and activities for children.

Admission is less than $10. The Saturday event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Bash | St. Paul

On Sunday, the Wabasha Street Caves will host its annual bash with live music and green elixirs. Admission is $20 per person. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Wear green!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Columbia Heights

Saturday at 6 p.m. is the parade start, beginning at the intersection of 40th Ave. NE and Van Buren St. NE.

The Blarney Blast will follow the parade at Murzyn Hall; the price is $10 for people over the age of 12. Organizers say the Minneapolis St. Patrick’s Day Association will also crown Ms. Blarney at O’Shaughnessy Distillery.

Luck O’ the Lake | Excelsior

The annual 5K and 1 mile race along Lake Minnetonka is Saturday morning, with a magic show and Irish dancing to follow.


Greater Minnesota

Celtic Festival | Moorhead

The 20th annual Celtic Festival takes over the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re over the age of 10, admission is $5. Organizers encourage wearing Celtic attire.

Beyond Ireland, the celebration involves all Celtic Nations, including Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Galicia, Scotland and Wales.

“There will be live performances throughout the day, varying from harp performances to full drums and bagpipes to fiddle and everything in between — dancing, all the fun stuff,” said Hope Thier with the City of Moorhead.

A free park and ride through LinkFM runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to and from downtown bus stops and the Hjemkomst Center.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Fargo, N.D.

The parade, which has run since 1996, will be in downtown Fargo from 11 a.m. to noon.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration | Crosslake

Festivities start Friday and run through Saturday.

Live music and a raffle are Friday night, and a 2-mile parade is set for Saturday — along with a 5K, pancake breakfast, bingo, live music and a costume contest.

People can also try to find the pot of gold for a prize. Find the schedule and locations at Explore Minnesota.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Craft Sale | Maple Lake

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the parade follows Division Street E. near the park, goes west and turns south on Maple Avenue. The route turns east by the Legion and ends on First Street W. by Oak Ave. S.

Food vendors will be set up on Birch Avenue. There is also a 5K. Mulligan Stew will be served at the American Legion.

St. Patrick’s Day Red Beard Run/Walk | Spicer

The 5K starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Pirrotta Park. Runners can grab a soup, sandwich and beer after the race.

But of course, staying home with corned beef and cabbage, a festive movie or simply adding broccoli to your dinner probably counts as celebrating, right?

Cheers!