Top 3 St Patrick’s Day Events for 2016

St Patrick's Day is right around the corner, so of course we need to share some of the best events in San Diego! If you'd like a break from the traditional bar and pub experience at your neighborhood joint, then check out some of the best that San Diego has to offer. Still looking for a great Irish pub to set up shop in on St Patrick's Day? Not to worry, we'll be posting our top San Diego Irish pubs later this week!

ShamROCK in San Diego

This year on Thursday, March 17th from 4:00 pm to midnight, enjoy the 22nd annual ShamROCK in the Gaslamp Quarter. The event takes place on G and F Street downtown and between 5th and 7th Avenue, as well as on 6th Avenue between G and E Street. Downtown will be covered in green with miles of astroturf covering the streets. Traditional Irish dancers, along with green go–go dancers, will be out there to start the celebration. Everyone can enjoy themselves with the various Irish rock, Irish punk and Celtic bands that will be playing. If dancing is more your speed, there will be a DJ too. Of course we haven't forgotten about libations: there will be plenty of green beer and whiskey to go around.

Tickets go on sale February 17th, starting at $30 and continue until the day of the event with prices increasing to $95 on the day of the event. So get your tickets early and don't forget about their VIP tickets, which include a lounge area and discounts on drinks. 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival

On March 12th, Balboa Park will host the festival from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on 6th Avenue and Laurel Street, with a parade at 10:30 am. The parade is given by The Irish Congress of Southern California and starts up 5th Street from Laurel to Upas, and then back down 6th Avenue to Laurel Street. The parade will feature marching bands, floats, police and fire department units, scout troops, equestrian entries, bagpipe contingents, dancing groups and antique cars. 

The Festival and Beer garden opens at 9 am, while the flag presentation ceremony starts at 9:45 on Sixth and Laurel. There will be live entertainment on two stages that include The ShamRockers, who have been entertaining San Diegans in the parade since 1983, as well as many other pubs and venues, and the Irish Rockin Rebels. Irish food and drink will be available for purchase, as well as craft vendors. This is an event for the whole family, with games and rides for kids and even face painting. There will also be a reenactment of early Irish history so that little ones and adults can learn about how this celebration all started. 

World Famous St. Patty's Day Pub Crawls — San Diego Edition

We cannot forget about the San Diego World Famous Pub Crawl! It’s one of the largest in the nation with over a dozen venues all along the Gaslamp District offering mind–numbing drink specials. Once you buy your ticket, you're given a map with all the bar locations and when they will be having their drink specials, so you can make the most of the crawl. Each venue may only participate in the drink specials for a three hour period, so make sure you get there when the deal is going on and register early so that you don’t get stuck outside waiting when they are at capacity. You must wear a costume or green and be 21 or over to participate. Take your friends and meet new people as you visit the different bars throughout the day! This year the World’s Largest Pub Crawl is looking to recreate history with their Luck of the Irish San Diego Pub Crawl. Tickets are around $30 dollars and can be purchased online. Several discounts are offered when you buy multiple tickets, so figure out which friends want to go and get your tickets soon.