There’s fun to be had for all seasons in Rochester but as an Irish lass living in Rochester, I’m on the hunt for some leprechauns for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day. Like all holidays, there is no short supply of fun to be had. Get your green on and check out some of these events, restaurants, and live music performances.
Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sponsored by TOPS, the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a Rochester event not to be missed. Filled with dancers, musicians, and plenty of green, there is a lot to see, hear, do, and eat along the parade route. The parade, which typically occurs the Saturday before March 17th, celebrates all things Irish culture. It’s a perfect day to don green and practice your jig on the route. Typically, the parade begins at East and Alexander, heading down East Ave to the Liberty Pole. There, the parade heads west down Main St. and ends at the corner of Fitzhugh St.
If you feel like getting up early, the Runnin’ of the Green, presented by YMCA of Greater Rochester and UR Medicine, kicks off the spring running season with a 5 mile “out and back” race and serves as the unofficial kick-off of the parade festivities.
Live Music & Dance
There are plenty of places to take in the sights and sounds this year for St. Patrick’s Day!
Johnny’s Irish Pub hosts Traditional Irish Music Sessions every last Sunday of the month starting at 5:00 pm. There’s fun for the entire family.
Comhaltas Rochester Irish Music Association is a cultural movement dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish traditional music and dance. Their calendar of events boasts a wide range of activities that amps up in March.
Throughout March, local libraries are a great place to check out live music and dance. Check your local branch’s website or see our event list. Rince Na Tiarna, a Buffalo-based dance school, performs numerous times at different libraries in March, and your wee ones are sure to be inspired!
ROCeltic is a Rochester-based dance company founded in 2019 by Briana Blair Kelly. ROCeltic celebrates Irish heritage – past, present, and future – through dance and music. Progressive, with a traditional foundation, ROCeltic strives to break down genre barriers and unearth the unique choreographic potential of Irish dance through fusion and collaboration. They will perform at the Lunchtime Concert at Cobblestone Arts Center.
Irish Food
There’s always a countdown to St. Patrick’s Day on the top of McArdle’s webpage. Their wide and delicious menu is good any day of the year, though! Items like Irish nachos, Irish burger, or cottage pie each would be an excellent choice for March and awaiting the 17th to roll around.
You can count on delicious food and live music all year round but Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub celebrates St. Practice Day on the 17th of every month, Whiskey Wednesdays on the first Wednesday of the month, and boasts the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Rochester. Join the Little Leprechauns Family Fun Day, a free magical event.
Pubs with kids’ menus include The Mary Wee Pub, Donnelly’s, and McColley’s.
Fun At Home
If you want to stay home instead of venturing out, here is some inspiration for that, too. Have fun, done your green, and do a jig. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
- Easy kids’ crafts or how to build a leprechaun trap
- A Rainbow-inspired snack board
- Kid-friendly music on Spotify for St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day Events In Rochester
Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish with Rochester’s Family-friendly events this March! These festive gatherings offer plenty of shamrock spirit, Irish dance, music, crafts, and community cheer…
Read More
