Family Friendly St. Patrick's Day Events In San Francisco
Shamrocks and bagpipes and shenanigans, oh my! Celebrate Irish culture at these family friendly events taking place St. Patty's Day throughout San Francisco
San Francisco's 161st St. Patrick's Day Festival
Parade - Market Street (at Second)
Festival - Civic Center Plaza (at Grove Street and McAllister)
San Francisco, CA 94102
sresproductions.com/sfstpatricksday
Price: Free
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: Parade - 11:30 a.m.; Festival - 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Irish eyes are smiling as the largest St. Patrick's Day event unfolds with more than one hundred floats, Irish dance troupes and marching bands. This year's theme, "Irish San Francisco Past, Present & Future" begins at the corner of Market and Second Street making its way down Market past a sea of revelers, horn blowers and "Kiss Me I'm Irish" t-shirts. The parade spills into the festival already in progress at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall for a healthy dose of Irish culture, food, dancing, live music and children's rides.
9th Annual Crossroads Irish-American Festival
Koret Auditorium & Fisher Children's Center
100 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4400
irishamericancrossroads.org
Price: Click here for details
Date: March 10, 2012
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The San Francisco Public Library plays host to this literary and cultural festival celebrating the rich heritage of Irish-Americans. A panel of authors will participate in a roundtable discussion at Koret Auditorium while performers sing and dance to the delight of younger audiences at The Fisher Children's Center.
St. Patrick's Day 5K
Crissy Field Center
1199 E Beach
San Francisco, CA 94129
runnersworld.com
Price: $3 - $5; 10 and under free
Date: March 11, 2012
Time: Adult race - 9 a.m.; Kids race - 9:45 a.m.
Before you down the green beer, walk or run the green mile. San Francisco's oldest running club, Dolphin South End Runners, sponsors this low key flat course race along Crissy Field and Golden Gate Promenade. A half-mile run, open to children ages 12 and under, begins a short time later at the same location. The top five male/female runners get place ribbons while all, participants receive finisher ribbons. Pre-registration is required.
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United Irish Cultural Center
2700 45th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 661-2700
irishcentersf.org
Price: $14 Adults, $8 Children
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Once you've taken in the parade and festival, leave the downtown scene for the Irish Cultural Center. The Ladies Auxiliary prepares a feast of corned beef and cabbage - a tradition they've been serving up for more than 30 years, with dancing and bagpipe music rounding out the evening in true Irish fashion.
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Dublin St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Annual Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast
Fire Station #16
7494 Donohue Dr
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 803-7116
Price: $5
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m.
29th Annual Dublin Lions Club Parade
Dublin Civic Center
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 829-4758
Price: Free
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 9:30 a.m.
St. Patrick's Day Festival
Dublin Civic Center
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 829-4758
Price: Free
Hours: March 17- 18, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shamrock 5K Fun Run & Walk
Dublin Civic Center
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 829-4758
dublinca.gov
Price: Individuals (Chip Time) Pre-egistration $25, Individuals (Not Timed) Pre-registration $23, Families Pre-registration $20/person, Corporate and Running Clubs Pre-registration $23/person, On-Site Registration $30
Date: March 18, 2012
Time: Registration - begins 7:15 a.m., Race Start - 8:30 a.m.
The city of Dublin will host a two-day event promising an authentic Irish experience to all. Grab yourself a green pancake at the Annual Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast before heading over to the parade for carnival rides and attractions. The festival follows at Dublin Civic Center, March 17 -18, 2012. Traditional Irish and celtic music will be featured, along with non-stop Irish dance and a food stage for a taste of the old country with menu items including bangers and mash, boxty, and corned beef sliders. The Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk brings things to a close Sunday morning. Pre-registration recommended.
Robyn Chelsea-Seifert is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in The Miami Herald, Creem, Hit Parader, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and International Musician. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
