Saint Patrick’s Day is a perfect way to celebrate Irish culture and ancestry; it’s also a great excuse for a party with friends, family, and community members.
Whether you celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day with a refreshing glass of green Guinness beer (as shown at left) or through family-friendly activities, such as traditional Gaelic music and step dancing, you’ll love learning about a couple of American festivals and parades that are right around the corner…
These St. Patrick’s Day events feature colorful parades and/or tasty pancake breakfasts and live entertainment that is fun for all ages (as well as adults-only events held at local Irish pubs).
A typical Irish festival or parade will feature something for almost everyone to enjoy…
Here is a quick sneak peek at two fun and lively Irish parades and festivals that take place on (or near) March 17th, 2012:
Dublin, California
2012 Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Held on March 17th and 18th, 2012, this popular California festival is a perfect way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. At this year’s festival, which is held at Dublin’s Civic Center, there will be so much to see and do.
An Irish Marketplace filled with crafts and traditional Gaelic offerings will be the perfect place to buy Irish t-shirts and special souvenirs, while the traditional Food Court will offer classic tastes of the Emerald Isle.
The Civic Center’s three stages will feature brilliant entertainment from talented Irish harpists, fiddlers, and dancers; beautiful costumes and wonderful sounds and sights will abound as revelers dance and mingle.
A family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 17th, at 9:30 a.m.; this special event will wind its way down Dublin Boulevard. The festival also offer other great activities, such as a pancake breakfast (with green pancakes) and a formal “green-and-white” Gala.
New York City, NY
2012 New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
This famous parade will start out at eleven in the morning on March 17th, at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street. This year’s New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will be the city’s 251st “marching”, and it promises to be a spectacular event that is fun for all ages!
This all-day parade doesn’t finish until suppertime; the parade’s lively participants (who march clan-by-clan) will pass a variety of Irish-American landmarks as they walk…including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the American Irish Historical Society.
Pipe bands, costumed Irish step dancers, and colorful floats will dazzle the senses, and the bright, charming spirit of the Emerald Isle will be evoked during every moment of this superb parade.
If you won’t be able to experience this stunning display of Irish-American pride in person, you may be able to watch the parade on a major news network; NBC typically covers the festivities.
For those in other American states (or in Canada), there are plenty of other Irish festivals and parades scheduled for March 17th, 2012 or thereabouts; the best way to find the perfect event is by checking your community’s official town or city website.
“Wear the Green” on Saint Patrick’s Day
An Irish Tara’s Diary Shamrock with CZ Dangle Charm is the perfect addition to any Saint Patrick’s Day outfit; this stunning, sterling silver showpiece is even crafted in the Emerald Isle for true Gaelic authenticity.
Affordable and beautiful, each handmade charm features bright enamel details and a glittering green gemstone that catches the light.
Embrace the spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day, and honor your own ancestry, by adding this special design to your Pandora or Tara’s Diary Collection bracelet.
You may also want to wear this versatile piece as a pendant; hang it from a simple silver or white gold chain, and consider layering different Irish charms for a unique, chic effect that is perfect for March 17th…
Be Sure to Bookmark Our Irish Festival and Parade Calendar
To help you plan the perfect outing to a fun and culturally meaningful Irish festival or parade, we’ve created a handy calendar that really keeps you posted. To enjoy our calendar, bookmark this fun new service today.