Charlotte Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

I’m not the tiniest bit Irish (maybe Irish-adjacent via my kids), but I love St. Patrick’s Day!  The festivities, the green, the leprechauns…it’s super fun for anyone.  Lucky (ha!) for us, there’s lots of St. Patrick’s Day-themed events within the Charlotte area, including a vibrant parade come mid-month.  Here’s a list of activities for kids, adults, and families to add to your calendar:

Friday, March 13th-Sunday, March 15th:

• St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Extravaganza:  The whole weekend is full of Irish Dancers, bagpipes, green beer, live music, food, and more.  No reservations needed; just come and have fun!  (Harp and Crown Lake Norman, 19930 West Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC)

Friday, March 13th:

• Paint and Sip by Matthews Wine and Design:  From 7:00pm-9:00pm, enjoy a paint party experience celebrating the Luck of the Irish complete with a painting project and great drinks.  (Carolina Beer Temple, 215 North Ames Street, Matthews, NC 28105)

Saturday, March 14th:

• Green River Revival and Color Me Green 5K:  The annual festivities begin at 8:00am with the Color Me Green 5K, and the much-anticipated appearance of the green river will take place around 1:00pm.  There’ll be events throughout the day until 5:00pm.  (Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC)
• Boomer’s Shamrock Festival:  From 10:00am-4:00pm, bring the family to enjoy the vendors’ market, Irish dancing and games, inflatables, and more.  (Atrium Health Ballpark, 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, NC)
• Leprechaun Party:  Register online for this family-friendly party from 10:00am-11:00am.  You’ll find a treasure hunt, leprechaun punch, crafts, and even some animal visitors!  (Camp TN Spencer Park, 3155 Foxford Road, Concord, NC)
• Early Explorers Leprechaun Trek:  From 10:00am-2:00pm, bring your little ones to the Schiele Museum for a leprechaun-themed day of fun!  (The Schiele Museum, 1500 Garrison Road, Gastonia, NC 28054)
• Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival:  The annual parade travels between 9th Avenue and 3rd Avenue at 11:00am.  From 10:00am to 6:00pm, there’ll be a St. Patrick’s Day festival with dancers, food, live music, and family-friendly events.  (North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC)
• Luck of the Irish:  Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a handmade market (11:00am-4:00pm) and live music (6:00pm-9:00pm).  (Distro Beer Hub, 2412 Distribution Street, Charlotte, NC)
• Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival:  Family-friendly with fun for adults, too!  A kids’ zone, music, food, dancing, and beer await.  Wear green!  Takes place from 12:00pm-7:00pm.  (City Hall Plaza, East Black Street, Rock Hill, SC)
• Main Street Shamrock Jam:  Fort Mill’s Main Street goes green with this free event from 12:00pm-9:00pm with live music, food, shopping, and more!  (Main Street, Fort Mill, SC)
• Shamrock Shuffle:  Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with drink specials, music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and more from 12:00pm-11:00pm.  There’ll also be a Mash-Up Market from 1:00pm-5:00pm with lots of great vendors to check out.  (Carolina Beer Temple, 215 North Ames Street, Matthews, NC)
• Beer Choir:  Grab a pint and lend your voice to the St. Patrick’s Day version of the Carolina Beer Choir!  Takes place from 2:00pm-4:00pm.  (Divine Barrel Brewing, 3701 North Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205)
• Clover and Chaos Music Festival:  Twelve hours of music and fun with live music and performances as well as a late-night DJ, beginning at 2:00pm.  (Tropicana Lake Norman, 19708 West Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC 28031)
• Baxter Village Spring Fling and St. Patrick’s Day Parade:  All the perks of a family-friendly festival, plus a parade at 5:00pm!  Festivities take place from 2:00pm-6:00pm.  (Baxter VIllage, 993 Market Street, Fort Mill, SC)
• St. Patrick’s Puppy Pawty:  Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and find a new four-legged friend!  Hosted by Destination Home Puppy Rescue.  Food, adult beverages, raffles, and more will be there too! (The Print Shop by Amor Artis, 113 Railroad Avenue, Fort Mill, SC)
• Shamrocks and Shenanigans Festival:  Live music, Irish dancers, bagpipes, food trucks, adult beverages, and family fun await in Downtown Mooresville from 3:00pm-8:00pm!  The festival is free, but to do the beverage tastings, tickets are required.  (Broad and Main Streets, Mooresville, NC 28115)
• Luck of the Village:  Birkdale Village’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration will include dancers, music, vendors, food, and drinks from 4:30pm-7:30pm.  (Birkdale Village, Birkdale Commons Parkway and Sam Fox Road, Huntersville, NC)
• ShamROCK Concert:  Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music in Downtown Matthews from 7:00pm-9:00pm.  (The Hangar, 251 North Trade Street, Matthews, NC)

Sunday, March 15th: 

• St. Patrick’s Day Cake and Dessert Market:  Get your green-themed treats here from 12:00pm-5:00pm.  (Queen Park Social, 4125 Yancey Road, Charlotte, NC 28217)
• 4th Annual Golden Key Hunt:  A family-friendly event with balloon twisting, crafts, tattoos, live music, and more from 12:00pm-4:00pm.  (Gibson Mill Market, 305 McGill Avenue NW, Concord, NC 28027)
• St. Patrick’s Day Block Party:  Also taking place on Saturday 3/14 and Tuesday 3/17, there’ll be music, beer trucks, Irish dancers, food, and more all day long.  (Gaelic Alley Irish Pub, 114 South Main Street, Kannapolis, NC)

Tuesday, March 17th:

• St. Patrick’s Day Party:  Bring your little ones to this St. Patrick’s Day-themed celebration from 11:00am-1:00pm, hosted by Rebble Rye.  (Main Street Children’s Museum, 133 Main Street, Rock Hill, SC)
• Sir Edmond Halley’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival:  Irish dancers and traditional Irish dishes all day.  You’ll feel like you’re in Ireland!  The family-friendly fun starts at 11:00am.  (Sir Edmond Halley’s, 4151 Park Road A, Charlotte, NC 28209)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!