Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Sacramento

Hello March! Although we continue to see a projected forecast of rain in the weeks ahead, Sacramento’s impressive lineup of events and activities is anything but gloomy! Lucky for us, Sacramento has lots of Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in store for residents and visitors alike. Are you celebrating this holiday in the comfort of your own home? We’re sharing some fun and festive activities that the whole family can partake in. Finally, we take a look at the local real estate market as well as expert predictions for the months ahead. Read on for the full scoop!

Will you be celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Sacramento? Check out our top picks in and around the area!

Friday, March 17th from 10 am – 2 pm
Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento
Weather Permitting

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Fairytale Town! We’ll have crafts and send you on a scavenger hunt to find a pot of gold! You might even meet a leprechaun along the way. Have your child wear green when you visit Fairytale Town and receive half off one child admission with one paid adult admission! Learn more here.

Friday, March 17th from 3 pm to 10 pm
Fox & Goose Public House
1001 R Street, Sacramento

Join us on Friday, March 17th for our 48th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! Traditional Irish and English fare will be available from 3-10 pm with your returning holiday favorites, including tasty Irish Lamb Stew served in a sourdough bread bowl and our hearty Corned Beef and Cabbage. Raise a pint to family, friends, and co-workers with Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick’s on draft.

Our beloved Irish folk singer patronage will pass out song sheets and lead the traditional group sing-along at 6:00 pm and traditional Irish bagpipe music will fill our cozy pub with celebratory cheer. Stout Rebellion will take the stage at 7:00 pm and keep the party going until 10:00 pm. This event is all ages until 12 pm and 21 y/o+ with I.D. from 10 pm-12 am.

Friday, March 17th – Starts at 3 pm
Limelight Bar & Cafe – Irish Social
1014 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento

Celebrate the essence of Sacramento at The Irish Social! Embrace the rich history, vibrant community, and diverse culture of the city that has welcomed Irish men and women with open arms since the 1850s. This year, join us in paying homage to the late Frank “Mugs” McNamara, a shining example of the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with his love of Ireland and his selfless dedication to education, charity, and service. Experience an unforgettable evening of entertainment, with an exciting lineup of musicians and dancers at the historic Limelight, a venue loved by many of Sacramento’s celebrated characters. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of Ireland, as you revel in the spirit of St. Patricks Day.

And the best part? Your presence and support at this special event will directly contribute to the McNamara Brothers’ Scholarship Fund at Christian Brothers High School, keeping Mugs’ legacy alive for generations to come. So, grab your tickets today and be a part of the celebration!

Live Music Provided By: Clemon, Rattlin Boys Ceili Band & LVVS
Special Performance by The McKeever School of Irish Dance

Friday, March 17th at 8 pm
Crest Theatre
1013 K Street, Sacramento

Watch a featured Saint Patrick’s Day film, “The Boondocks Saints” at Crest Theater. In this classic, two Irish Catholic brothers become vigilantes and wipe out Boston’s criminal underworld in the name of God.

Friday, March 17th – 18th from 4 pm to 10 pm
Saint Patrick’s Day in the Park 2023
Ali Youssefi Square
701 K Street, Sacramento

Outdoor block party festival with live music, food, and a beer garden. Cover on both days is $15 at the gate.

– Outdoor stage
– Guinness Garden & Roe and Co Bar
– Bands and DJs
– Food by Beach Hut Deli
– 21 and over only
– FREE entry to after party (both nights) at Social Nightclub with your wristband from the festival

Friday, March 17th from 8:30 pm to 10 pm
Saint Patrick’s Day Rock the Yacht Cruise
City Cruises Sacramento
1206 Front Street, Sacramento

Step aboard City Cruise’s St. Patrick’s Day Rock the Yacht! This 21 and over cruise features local DJs rocking top 40s and all your favorite throwbacks. Sip on drinks from the cash bar and take in the fresh river breezes as you cruise under the Tower Bridge and past the Sacramento city lights. Grab your friends and head down to the only St. Patrick’s Day party you can’t find on land!

Saturday, March 18th from 12 pm to 5 pm
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Old Sacramento Waterfront

If it’s the Luck of the Irish you’re looking for, come find it at Old Sacramento Waterfront in March! Enjoy a parade, live musical entertainment, outdoor beer gardens, and a chance to find Leprechauns hiding throughout the charming historic district.

Parade Time: 1:00 pm
Beer Garden and Vendor Village: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Event Location: Old Sacramento Waterfront

Now through March 20th
Leprechaun Hunt
Old Sacramento Waterfront

The St. Patrick’s Day leprechauns have once again visited the Old Sacramento Waterfront in search of their favorite thing…gold!

However, after their arrival, they learned the Gold Rush Era ended long ago. After thinking this was the end of their rainbow, they fled! Help us find the leprechauns who are hidden all over our historic district so they can celebrate their beloved Irish holiday on time. They have each hidden themselves with a secret word…collect all the secret words to unlock the final secret message at the end of your activity book, and help restore Irish luck and good cheer.

Instructions: Using the clues, go to each stop to find the mystery words. Each word is a different color. Once you find all the secret words, fill in the blanks with the words you find based on their corresponding color. There are also 4 optional bonus activities sprinkled throughout this hunt where you will receive bonus secret words! If you want some real-life leprechaun treasure, complete the bonus activities for a chance to win a gift basket!

Email your bonus answers to events@downtownsac.org before Monday, March 20th at 5 PM. Download the activity book HERE!

You can have just as much fun celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day from home! Try one or more of these activities with your loved ones.

Prepare a St. Patrick’s Day Feast

Whether it’s classic corned beef and cabbage or another traditional Irish dish, such as Bangers and Mash, there is no shortage of tasty recipes that will get you in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Check out some inspiration before preparing your Irish feast here.

Bake Some Magically Delicious Desserts 

Decorating your favorite desserts with green frosting and edible gold flakes can put a lucky twist on any classic treat. If you’re looking to whip up something new, try out these rainbow-topped cupcakes dusted with gold or this easy-to-make Leprechaun Bait. You can find some other yummy dessert recipes here.

Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day Movie

Bring Ireland to your home with “Leap Year,” starring Amy Adams. This adorable romantic comedy takes viewers on her journey to and through Dublin to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day! As Irish tradition states, a man who is proposed to on Leap Day in Ireland must accept. This PG-rated romantic comedy is suitable for the whole family and is now available on Netflix. Make this Saint Patrick’s Day Popcorn ahead of time for the ultimate holiday movie night.

Bring the Bar To Your Backyard

Avoid crowded bars and make a festive beverage at home such as this Chocolate Martini recipe with one-part Bailey’s cream or this creative Guinness Float concoction with Irish Beer and Ice Cream. Impress guests with the “Irish Maid”: another great cocktail option with whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint and cucumber for garnish. Opting for a non-alcoholic option? This Shamrock shake (yes, it’s a copycat McDonald’s shake) is the perfect drink/sweet treat for people of all ages!

Go on St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Bring the magic of the holiday to your own home by creating a scavenger hunt! Use these free printable treasure hunt sheets and watch as your little leprechauns solve the clues. Hide their favorite treat or a new toy in a pot of gold at the last stop.

Try Your Luck with St. Patrick’s Game Night

Gather the whole family into the living room for a Saint Patrick’s Day themed trivia game night! Find a printable trivia sheet here.

According to a recent article by US News, despite the US real estate market cooling, Sacramento remains a top destination for homebuyers, and for good reason. There also appears to be a step back in home prices, which may give Sacramento-area buyers some much-needed relief. Click here to learn more.