Photo: CelticFest Vancouver
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Celebrate the luck of the Irish before and on March 17 at some of the city’s best Celtic-themed events and venues highlighting Vancouver’s strong Irish culture. Dress up in your best green attire and hit the town for a shamrockin’ good time!
Gather ‘Round for CelticFest
Photo: CelticFest Vancouver
Celebrate Irish Heritage Month at the 20th annual CelticFest Vancouver, a celebration of rich Celtic culture, at various events featuring live music, dance, and comedy.
Comedy Night @ Donnellan’s Irish Pub (Mar. 14) – Hosted by Irish comedian Amy Walsh with performances by Darragh Bourke, LJ Quirke, Cass Furman, Daragh Turner, Rory Dunn, and Niki Mohrdar.
St. Patrick’s Day Ceilidh @ Hellenic Community Centre (Mar. 15) – Kick off your St. Paddy’s weekend at the biggest Ceilidh west of the Rockies, a traditional Irish social gathering involving dancing, hosted by Blackthorn, Vancouver’s longest-running Celtic band!
CelticFest Live @ VAG North Plaza (Mar. 16) – Gather for this family-friendly event featuring a main stage of artist performances, marketplace, family zone, and bar onsite.
Irish Pubs & Brunch
The Blarney Stone, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
For general Irish pub fun, food, and drinks during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, try Vancouver bars like The Irish Heather, Mahoney’s Tavern, Dublin Calling, Carlos O’ Bryan’s, Donnellan’s Irish Pub, The Wolf & Hound, or grab a ticket to a specially organized bar/restaurant event to celebrate the Irish.
St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl (Mar. 16) – Meet at Yale Saloon before embarking on a good old-fashioned Granville pub crawl visiting Twelve West, Aura Nightclub, and Cabana Lounge.
51st St. Patrick’s Day @ The Blarney Stone (Mar. 17) – Celebrate at Vancouver’s longest-standing Irish pub all day long with doors opening at 9am for an Irish brunch, then live bands, Celtic dancers, an Irish piper, and a DJ.
She’s So Lucky: The St. Patrick’s Day Drag Brunch @ Ventura Room (Mar. 17) – Join drag queen host Carrie Dawn for a glorious afternoon brunch filled with all the magic you can find at the end of the rainbow!
Live Irish Music
The Blarney Stone, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
St. Patrick’s Day Party with Paddy Waggin’ @ Lana Lou’s (Mar. 16) – They’ll be playing all your Irish music favourites, from traditional fare to Celtic punk, a tribute to St. MacGowan, and tons of Pogues tunes.
St. Patrick’s Party @ Odd Fellows Hall (Mar. 16) – Join the historic hall built in 1922 for an exciting night of Irish entertainment led by Canada’s best Celtic folk rock band, Blackthorn, and a performance by Irish dancers in benefit of the Emergency Warming Centre.
St. Pat’s with Shane’s Teeth @ Wise Hall (Mar. 17) – Watch the local Pogues tribute band Shane’s Teeth perform live, an annual Vancouver concert tradition since 2000.
St. Patrick’s Day with The Scratch @ Commodore Ballroom (Mar. 17) – Rock out with the 4-piece acoustic act from Dublin.
Other St. Patrick’s Day Activities
Photo: St. Patrick’s Day 5k
Irish Dance Classes @ Donnellan’s Irish Pub (Mar. 3 & 10) – Get ready to impress on the dance floor this St. Patrick’s Day by learning and practicing your Irish dancing skills just like Michael Flatley.
Drag Gaymes Night: St. Patrick’s Day Edition @ Bean Around the World (Mar. 14) – Shamrock and roll at the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day games night of Irish-themed trivia, charades, bingo, and more for an evening filled with laughter, entertainment, and all things green.
St. Patrick’s Day 5k @ Stanley Park (Mar. 16) – Put a little Irish in your step by coming out for a flat and fast 5km running party in Vancouver’s most scenic setting.
Shamrock’n Race @ Burnaby Lake (Mar. 17) – Dress up in your best St. Paddy’s Day costume and run (5km, 7mi, or half-marathon) around Burnaby Lake.