The 15 Best Places to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Virginia!
St. Patrick’s Day: A holiday to honor the foremost patron saint of Ireland—Saint Patrick. It’s a holiday where we honor Irish heritage: The food, the music, the culture itself. And in Virginia, we sure know how to party. Enjoy a day accompanied by bag pipes and traditional Irish cuisine. And most of all, have a tall glass of beer. What’s not to like? With a little luck of the Irish, and these 15 places to celebrate St. Patty’s Day, you’re sure to have an experience to remember.
1. Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Norfolk, VA
Take part in the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Norfolk, Virginia, which has been running for five decades. The parade starts at 10 a.m., and is followed by an After Parade Party featuring live bands and food. Participants dress up in traditional Irish garb, decorate their vehicles with shamrocks, and, of course, wear lots and lots of green!
2. Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Alexandria, VA
The Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade is organized by The Ballyshaners – “Old Towners” in Gaelic. The Ballyshaners are a non-profit organization focused on educating the public as to Irish traditions. They have organized the Alexandria parade for over 40 years. Participants dress up and have a reception afterwards.
3. Tea at Historic Green Spring
Bring the family to Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia, to listen to stories about leprechauns and more Irish folklore. Drink green tea and get into the holiday spirit surrounded by nature.
4. Celebrate at Blue Mountain Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, Virginia, goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day. With an Irish inspired menu including mulligan stew and Emerald Isle Pizza, adults can get into the holiday spirit while listening to live music. Drink an extra pint for me.
5. Cooper’s Landing Inn and Traveler’s Tavern St. Patrick’s Day Party, Clarksville, VA
On St. Patrick’s Day, a visit to Clarksville, Virginia may be in order. Cooper’s Landing Inn and Traveler’s Tavern offers authentic Irish corn beef, chocolate Guinness cake, and, of course green beer. Other drink specials and menu items celebrating the occasion are available, too. Join the party and celebrate by dancing an Irish jig.
6. Shamrock the Block, Richmond, VA
Shamrock the Block is a huge block party that takes over a major downtown street in Richmond, Virginia. The party starts at noon and ends at six, and is free to participate in (but refreshments aren’t). The kid’s area has face painting and games. Live bands and tons of food tents make this the place to be in the Richmond area.
7. McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival, Roanoke, VA
For all your Roanoker’s out there, the McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival is calling your name! The parade starts around 11 a.m. If you’re not the parading type, don’t fret. The Shamrock festival offers live music and food. Come on out and enjoy the festivities.
8. Shamrock Marathon Weekend, Virginia Beacg, VA
The Shamrock Marathon Weekend is a Hampton Roads staple. With four separate marathons, including a half marathon and 8K, there are opportunities for everyone to get in the Irish spirit. 30,000 runners from all 50 states and outside of the U.S. come to participate. Live entertainment, food, and Yuengling (one of the sponsors) are available throughout the weekend.
9. Ned Devine’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar, Herndon, VA
Herndon, Virginians know Ned Devine’s Irish Pub and Sports Bar well for their regularly scheduled live music, country nights, and Halloween parties. On St. Patrick’s Day, there are few better places in the area to get a pint of green beer and celebrate the luck of the Irish.
10. Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, Alexandria, VA
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Alexandria, Virginia, has never gotten away from its Irish roots. Nightly Irish music and entertainment creates the ambiance one would want while enjoying traditional Irish dishes. According to their website, “Murphy’s prepares for St. Patrick’s Day all year and the pub is prepared to thoroughly entertain you from the minute the door opens until the minute the bartender announces last call.”
11. Annual Wearing of the Green, Stafford, VA
Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia, gets into the holiday spirit with their annual “Wearing of the Green” celebration. The special Irish menu offers unique flavors paired with wonderful wine (all on discount for the occasion). Play games like leprechaun toss, watch live music, or simply enjoy the atmosphere as you drink another St. Patrick’s Day away.
12. Irish Road Bowling, Staunton, VA
Staunton, Virginia, celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by recreating a traditional Irish game from the old country. Bowling teams consist of three to four players. Participants and onlookers are encouraged to dress up in green and costumes. After the event, the festivities continue at Queen City Brewing for beer, food, and good times for all ages.
13. Shamrock Shenanigan’s Whisky Party, Lovingston, VA
The Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston, Virginia, invites one and all to come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with them. Mint cupcakes are on hand and free to the first 100 guests. There will be live music and don’t forget to try the whiskey while you’re there.
14. Keagan’s Irish Pub St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Virginia Beach, VA
Irish dancers. Bagpipers. Beer. Oh, so much beer. All that and more is on tap for Keagan’s Irish Pub’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the Virginia Beach Town Center. The festivities start around 11 a.m. and go all night.
15. LepreCon, Virginia Beach, VA
And if you’re still in the Hampton Roads area, head to the Ocean Front for the sixth annual LepreCon. The PreCon is a St. Patrick’s Day themed bar and pub-crawl. It’s free to join, but participants must be age 21 and up. Check their Facebook page regularly as they add new stops to the list.
