Celebrating St. Patrick's Day 2012 in San Francisco
Don your finest green attire join in festivities for the most widely-celebrated saint's day in the world. San Francisco has plenty of outdoor actives and festive events throughout the city, including the St. Patrick's Day annual parade and much more.
San Francisco's 161st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
"Irish San Francisco – Past, Present and Future"
Start of Parade
2nd and Market St
San Francisco, CA 94166
(415) 860-3196
www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com
Price: Free
Date: March 17, 2012
Time11:30 a.m.
More than 5,000 participants from all over the United States Irish communities are expected to march at this year's parade including schools, youth organizations, labor unions, cultural groups, the police and fire departments and many of San Francisco's own political leaders. The parade and festival have attracted approximately 100,000 revelers in recent years. This event starts at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of 2nd and Market Street. The parade follows Market Street southwest away from the Ferry Building and ends at Civic Center Plaza, the site of the accompanying festival. This year's festival will be an alcohol-free event, which is prefect for the family. The parade is expected to include more than one hundred themed floats, Irish dance troupes and marching bands. John O'Rourke, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 6, will be the Parade Grand Marshal.
San Francisco's 161st Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival
San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza and on Grove St, Polk to Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 860-3196
www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com
Price: Free
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year's festival features an extensive turnout of booths, a vast assortment of Irish food and beverages, Irish dancing, and both contemporary and traditional live music. There will also be a selection of activities suitable for children including pony rides and inflatable and mechanical rides. Live entertainment on the main stage will include "Those Manning Bhoys" (12 p.m. to 2 p.m.), "Flynn & Murphy Irish Dancers" (2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and "Black Eyed Depseys" (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
There will be a grand culmination of vendors at the festival covering all things Irish, however there are a few notable ones that cannot be passed by. The must stop for all face-painting needs is Fairy Dust Faces. Your child will surely love the way they come out looking after a stop here. Also, the Irish Castle Gift Shop booth will provide an array of purchasable gifts to get yourself or a special someone into the holiday spirit.
There will be no shortage of food available with the spread of food vendors at the festival this year. Some appearing for the fun are Kiss my Licorice, Oliver's Almonds, Redel's Roasted Almonds, Jerky Hut, Sonoma Teriyaki, Gourmet Faire, California BBQ, Tante's and Peter's Kettle Corn.
Related: Best Party Places For Kids In The Bay Area
Other events in the city:
United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco
2700 45th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 661-2700
www.uicc.org
Price: Free admission
Date: March 17, 2012
Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hours: Banquet Hall - 3:30 p.m.
For a taste of Irish-American history, enjoy the annual St. Patrick's Day Corned-Beef-and-Cabbage dinner at the United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco. There is no price for admission. Drinks and dinner are as marked on the menu. Traditional Irish music and dancing will be held on and off throughout the day.
The Plough and the Stars Irish Pub
116 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 751-1122
www.theploughandstars.com
Price: $5.00
Date: March 17th, 2012
Time: 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Established in 1975, The Plough and the Stars is considered by many to be the "home of traditional Irish music" in the Bay Area. As a special ode to St. Patrick, the pub opens early on March 17th and will present a special lineup. The opening act will be The O'Donnell Brothers at 6 p.m., followed by Quinn. Kennelly's School of Irish Dance will round out the evening with a traditional Irish dance performance that starts at 9 p.m. Bring your kids out for some traditional Irish fare and entertainment, but stop by early before the night crowd rolls in and gets rowdy.
Related: Bay Area's 10 Must-See Museums For Kids
