March 17th is right around the corner, so it’s time to break out your green gear. (After all, everyone’s a wee bit Irish for St. Patrick’s Day!) Here is what is going on in Philly for St. Paddy’s Day 2020.
Parade
Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade – CANCELLED
UPDATE: As of March 10, the Parade has been cancelled due to health concerns.
When: Sunday, March 15, Noon-3 p.m.
Where: Starting point JFK Blvd between 16th and 17th Streets heading down Market Street towards Penn’s Landing
The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade was founded in 1771 making it the 2nd oldest Parade of any kind in the USA. Grab the family and head to the parade route to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day! If being outside in the elements doesn’t appeal to you, you can watch the parade on TV! It will air live on Fox 29 from noon to 1:30 p.m., then from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., it will be on channel Buzzr. It will re-air on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th on Fox 29 at noon. For more information on the Parade click here to visit the website!
Bar Crawls
Erin Express – BUSES ARE CANCELLED ON MARCH 14. MOST BARS ARE STILL OPEN.
When: Saturdays, March 7 and March 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Start at any of the participating locations
The official Erin Express is a Philly tradition that spans over 30 years. Over 10 buses will be looping around 15 bars throughout the city giving you a fuzzy tour filled with St. Patrick’s Day themed fun. The buses are free, just show up at a participating bar and when you are ready to move on hop on a bus that will rotate about every 15 minutes. Don’t forget to wear your green and cash is helpful for quick service at the bars! Click here to see participating locations!
Northeast Philly Erin Express – STILL ON
When: Saturdays, March 7 and March 14 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Start at any of the participating locations
If home for you is Philadelphia’s Northeast section, this Erin Express has you covered. Ten buses will make a continuous loop around 11 NE Philly bars. Wristbands are $6 and include bus transportation and great drink specials. The $20 package includes a t-shirt, lanyard, mug with 1 free beer and wristband to ride. Don’t forget your ID! Click here to see participating locations!
Irish Stroll
When: Saturday, March 14 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday, March 17 from 3 p.m. to close
Where: Participating locations
Gather your friends and party all around Philly! General admission tickets are $7.77 and include exclusive food and drink specials, St. Patrick’s Day swag, and cover-free admission at participating locations. Click here for more details, including the list of participating bars.
Shamrock Crawl – READ AN UPDATE ON HOW THE EVENT IS CHANGING HERE.
When: Saturday, March 14 from noon to midnight and Tuesday, March 17 from 4 p.m. to midnight
Where: Participating locations
The Shamrock Crawl is a fantastic 2-Day Philly celebration giving you access into 50+ locations, no cover charge and great drink specials. If that wasn’t enough everyone will be given beads at check-in along with a coupon book offering some amazing deals. You can expect multiple bead contests and different atmospheres at all locations. Purchase tickets and find out more here.
St. Patrick’s Day Manayunk Bar Crawl – TENTATIVELY RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 18
When: Saturday, March 14 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Participating bars
Break out the shamrocks and beads, Manayunk Bar Crawl is back for its second year! Early Bird Tickets start at $8.95 but will go up as it gets closer. Tickets include free cover for participating bars, official t-shirt for the first 200 through the door, plenty of green swag, DJs and entertainment, food and drink specials. Get more info and purchase tickets here.
Bar and Restaurant Events
If staying in one place to party is more your speed many bars and restaurants in Philadelphia are offering great specials and events to celebrate your Irish side!
McGillin’s Old Ale House
When: Saturday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 17
Where: 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia
People have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating tavern and one of the oldest in the country, for 160 years. This year their celebration will be a little different due to our concern about our staff and guests during the Coronavirus pandemic. They are drastically reducing the number of people in the restaurant at any one time, they’ve cancelled entertainment to deter dancing and reduce the amount of contact between guests, and they’re making staff changes, and offering hand sanitizer throughout the day. Despite these changes, they’re committed to maintaining a festive atmosphere and camaraderie. Visit their Facebook page for more details.
Fado Irish Pub – STILL ON. GET AN UPDATE ON PRECAUTIONS HERE.
When: Saturday, March 14; Sunday, March 15; Tuesday, March 17
Where: Fado Irish Pub, 1500 Locust Street
Enjoy live music, big pints and Irish food at Fado Irish Pub’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! Take a look at the line-up here.
Curran’s Irish Inn
When: Saturdays, March 7 and March 14 and Tuesday, March 17
Where: 6900 State Road, Philadelphia
Curran’s starts celebrating March 7 with their 20-Year Anniversary Party! Live music starts at 4 p.m. with Ballina followed by LeCompt. Then on the 14th, enjoy Moss A.A. Reunion with live music by Mike Brill followed by DJ Jerry Smith. And then on the actual holiday, March 17th, there will be live music starting at noon. Look forward to Danny Quimby, followed by Love Junk and Mike Brill.
Other Ways to Celebrate
Leprechaun Run – POSTPONED
When: Saturday, March 14 starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: MLK Drive by the Art Museum
Celebrating its 35th year, the Leprechaun Run includes a 7-mile race, 5-mile race and 2-mile fun run/walk benefiting Special Olympics PA. Get more information and register here.
