If you’re a lover of bagpipes and all things green, you live in a good place. The Twin Cities have not one (!) but two (!!) St. Patrick’s Day Parades–and they’re both on the same day! (Two parades in one day?? It’s doable–we just recommend you pack some nourishment… and perhaps stop off for a brewsky or two in between at one of these sponsoring pubs.)
St. Paul’s parade–a tradition dating back to 1967–kicks off at noon on Saturday, March 16th. (It’s a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring the kiddos!) The hordes start marching at 5th and Broadway and wrap around Rice Park (check out the route and suggested viewing spots here.) You’ll have plenty of time afterward to make it over to the Minneapolis parade, which starts moving along Nicollet at 6:30 that evening.
If you’re feeling really ambitious–or you strive to set a parade-watching record–you could even make time to swing by O’Gara’s in St. Paul for the 22nd Annual World’s Smallest Parade, which takes place from 3:30 until about 3:35. (You might end up sticking around for the festivities + live music that take over their corner of Snelling Ave every year.)
There’s certainly no shortage of less parade-y, more beer-y ways to celebrate this weekend, either. There will be Irish festivities galore all weekend at Kieran’s Pub, The Local, Kip’s Pub, O’Donovan’s and The Dubliner… to name a very few. (You can even party responsibly: MetroTransit is offering free rides on St. Patrick’s Day, and limited free ride options the day before.)
For a full list of what’s going on in St. Paul for St. Patrick’s Day, try this compilation from the St. Paul Convention & Visitors Bureau. Minneapolis Northwest has pulled together a list as well.
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