- St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan 2023: Celebrate with Events, Festivals, Pub Crawls and More
- Things to Do for St. Patrick’s Day in Detroit and Southeast Michigan
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in West Michigan
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Central Michigan
- St. Patrick’s Day Events in Northern Michigan
- Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- St. Patricks Day FAQ
St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan 2023: Celebrate with Events, Festivals, Pub Crawls and More
St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan is a special day...in fact it’s aa special weekend, with fin festivals and things to do all over the state. After all, no one does St. Patrick’s celebrations quite like Michigan.
Whether or not you share some Irish heritage doesn’t matter. After all, on March 17, everyone is Irish!
From St. Paddy’s parades and festivals to 5K Races and pub crawls, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for what to do on St. Patrick’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day Events near me, read on. We’re sharing everything you need to know about St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan!
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan
From Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to southeast Michigan and beyond, Michigan is filled with fun things to do for St. Paddy’s Day.
Things to Do for St. Patrick’s Day in Detroit and Southeast Michigan
40th Annual Corktown Races
March 12, 2023
One of the largest 5K races in Michigan, the Corktown Races in Detroit are a favorite way for Michiganders to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day. One of the top St. Patrick’s Day annual events in Detroit, the race is held the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day.
This costumed run through Corktown has something for everyone, even a special kids race, and everyone wins a prize! With steady growth over the years, the event now boasts over 8,000 participants, so be sure to register early to secure your spot.
Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade
March 12, 2023
One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country, this Detroit parade is the highlight of the year for many in Michigan’s Irish community. To see this fun celebration of the “Wearin’ of the Green,” head to Michigan Avenue in Detroit on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The parade starts at 1 p.m.
This is a huge celebration, so be prepared to have some fun. If you’re bringing the kids, think about buying tickets for the Family Fun Zone, where you can view the parade from grandstands in a reserved, family-friendly area.
You’ll find activities like face painting and step dancing, as well as water, coffee and hot chocolate, too. The Family Fun Zone is opened from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. Tickets are $12.00 per person or a Family Pack for $60.00 (6 tickets). Access is limited to 275 guests, so don’t delay in ordering. You don’t want to miss this St. Patrick Day celebration parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Party Bus Bar Crawl
March 17, 2023
This is the largest St. Patrick’s Day Party Bus Bar Crawl in Downtown Detroit, so grab your friends and hop on board! Each crawler will receive (1) Raffle Ticket, a St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt, a special lanyard and freebies all night!
Leprechaun Day at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion
March 11-12, 2023
In Canterbury Village of Lake Orion, the leprechauns have scattered coins all around. Explore the 21-acre village to find each of the six different color coins to exchange for a prize at the shops. This kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration is fun for the whole family.
St. Patrick’s Party for Kids at Greenmead in Livonia
March 15, 2023
Bring the kids to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on their day off from school 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, March 15! This green-themed party in Greenmead Historical Park’s Alexander Blue House will include games, crafts, snacks, and more! Register in advance 30 days before the event.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in West Michigan
Irish on Ionia in Grand Rapids
March 18, 2023
Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day street party returns to downtown Grand Rapids in 2023. Come on down for music, drinks, and plenty of Irish fun and entertainment to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan. One of the top community events in Grand Rapids, this is great way to spend the day in Grand Rapids.
You’ll find Irish bands, dancers, street performers, food trucks, beverage tents, and more. This event will take place on Ionia Ave SW and will stretch from Fulton to Oakes. If you’re looking for a road trip to celebrate the holiday, this is the place for you.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Holland
March 11 at 12 p.m.
The community of Holland goes Irish for a day! The parade travels east down 8th Street from the 8th Street Marketplace (150 W. 8th St.) to the corner of 8th Street and College Avenue. Celebrations continue along 8th Street at New Holland Brewing Company, Hops at 84 East, Curragh Irish Pub, and City Sen.
Irish dancers, bagpipers, and kilt-wearers are just a few of the parade highlights! Families and individuals wearing green are invited to carry Irish flags in the parade.
K-Wings Green Ice Game
March 17
In Kalamazoo, the local K-Wings hockey team celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with their annual Green Ice Game on March 17 at 7:00 PM. Keep the celebration going with $3 Fridays complete with hot dogs, sodas, and green beers!
K-Wings Hockey Games are high-energy, pure Michigan family fun. So grab some friends and family and head to the Wings Event Center at 3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
St. Patrick’s Day in Ludington
March 18
In Ludington, St. Patrick’s Day is an all-day event. Celebrations kick off at 7:30 AM with an Irish Jog Run, followed by an amazing Keg and Eggs Breakfast.
Then, it’s time for the annual Ludington St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at the corner of James & Melendy Streets. Festivities continue throughout the day, ending at night with live music by Steel City Rovers at The Mitten.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Central Michigan
Clare Irish Festival in Clare, MI
March 15-18
We are all a wee bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and Clare’s 48th Annual Irish Festival is the perfect place to celebrate Irish heritage and traditions. Clare’s events and parade is known for attracting thousands of spectators for a one of a kind celebration.
This massive Irish Festival in Clare draws in thousands to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day over the course of several days filled with traditional Irish food, music, and fun.
Clare Irish Festival Road Race
March 18
During Clare’s 48th Annual Irish Festival, on March 18, the Clare Irish Festival Road Race will feature a 5K run, 10K run, and 2 mile walk with a free pancake breakfast for participants.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Grand Ledge
March 11
In Grand Ledge, the 11th of March is full of St. Patrick’s Day spirit as the celebration of the holiday rings out through the community. Whether you’re celebrating your Celtic Pride or just looking for a wee bit of Irish fun, the parade at Grand Ledge is the perfect place to go.
Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 19 at 2 p.m.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Bay City with the 66th annual parade to commemorate Irish heritage, culture, and pride. The parade begins at 2:00 PM and will feature members of the community and potentially a leprechaun.
St. Patrick’s Day Events in Northern Michigan
Blackthorn Concert in Grayling
March 16
Michigan’s favorite Irish band, Blackthorn, performs all of your favorites from the Fair Isle at this concert in northern Michigan. Whether you decide to partake in green beer, and the wearing of shamrocks or not, you’ll want to join along as this popular Irish band from metro Detroit sings all of your favorite songs at the Au Sable Artisan Village Art Center, 219 Michigan Avenue, Grayling, MI 49738. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. show – 7:00 p.m. and there is limited seating.
PRO-TIP: Make a weekend out of it and take follow the beautiful AuSable River all the way to Oscoda on the shores of Lake Huron.
Live Music at Ciccone Vineyard & Winery in Suttons Bay
March 17 at 2:30 p.m.
“North Bay Celtic” formed in the spring of 2007 as a local practice group for the Traverse City Celtic bands, they play jigs, reels and waltzes. Currently, they have a small gang of fiddlers, a couple guitars, flute, mandolin, penny whistle, and a few bodhrans (Irish drum)!
Listen as they play some great Celtic music for us in the tasting room on Friday the 17th from 2:30-4:30.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Shamrock Sprint in Marquette MI
March 16 at 6 p.m.
Head to downtown Marquette MI and Flanigan’s Bar for the the 2nd Annual Shamrock Sprint, presented by Queen City Running Company.
This point-to-point, one-mile race will be downhill and fast paced. The race starts at the corner of McClellan Avenue and West Washington Street on the bike path, and will finish on the backside of Flanigan’s Bar (still on the bike path) where we will have a post-race shindig. Must be 21-or-over to participate.
6th Annual Cup of the Day – St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 11 at 12:01 p.m.
Bring your floats, cars, trucks, pets, groups, bands and yourself and come be a part of the 6th Annual Cup of the Day, This Sault Ste. Marie annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Michigan’s eastern U.P. is really good time!
The parade will start lineup around Pingatore Cleaners heading north on Ashmun Street and will end at the Farmers Market.
Be sure to stop down at Cup of the Day before of after the parade for great Corned Beef Sandwich specials and Irish themed Lattes & Cappuccinos! Great drink specials all day long like a Nutty Irishman Latte; Irish Creme coffee for $1; or a Green Mint Cappuccino! Hot, iced or frozen.
St. Patricks Day FAQ
St. Patrick’s Day, also known as the Feast of St. Patrick, is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th, which was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century. Aside from its religious roots, this day celebrates the heritage, culture, and traditions of the Irish in general, making it popular among the Irish diaspora worldwide.
St. Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland who is best known for introducing Christanity to Ireland in the 5th century. He is venerated as a saint in Catholicism and in the Eastern Orthodox Church and throughout Ireland for influencing the country’s traditions and culture. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 to honor his traditional death date.
Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated with parades, festivals, and traditional Irish social gatherings full of music and dancing called céilís. Catholics and other Christians also attended church services, followed by a feast where dietary restrictions from Lent were lifted, setting the precedent for the modern tradition of drinking alcohol.
More Things to Do in Michigan in March
About the Author~
Bella DiMascio is a Content Editor for mymichiganbeach.com. She grew up in the Detroit suburb of Westland and later attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where she majored in Communication Studies and minored in English: Writing. Creative writing has been a hobby and interest of Bella’s since she was in elementary school and she is thrilled to be using her talents to highlight the Great Lakes State. Outside of writing, Bella enjoys getting outside with her two Australian Shepherds, playing video games, and binging shows on Netflix.
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