Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He’s credited with bring Christianity to the emerald isle and legend has it that he chased the snakes out of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with all things Irish: anything green and gold, leprechauns and luck, beef and beer. Philadelphia has a strong Irish Heritage, a seemingly endless list of Irish pubs and is generally a great place to party, which makes it the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re looking for wholesome family fun like traditional Irish dancing and music or just an excuse to get loose there are plenty of options.
Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains
When: Friday March 9th, 2012 8 pm
Where: The Kimmel Center
The Chieftains are one of the most famous acts out of Ireland and are creditied for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention. In this, their 50th Anniversary Tour, the ensemble will perform a variety of traditional songs, feature dancing on stage, and showcase works from their 2012 release, Voice of Ages. Tickets are $37.50 to $77
When: Saturday, March 3, March 10 and March 17, 2012
Where: Bars around Philadelphia
A long-running St. Patrick's Day bar crawl, the Erin Express provides bus service to 16 bars throughout Philadelphia, including Cavanaugh's, The Blarney Stone, Bonner's Irish Pub, Mill Creek Tavern and others. The bus is free and runs from noon until 5:30 p.m. Just show up at any of the participating bars and hop aboard.
The Great Narberth Leprechaun Hunt
Where: Narberth, NJ
When: Saturday, March 10, from 1pm to 4pm
Little ones can celebrate Saint Patrick’s day too! Children search for leprechauns and prizes in this free afternoon scavenger hunt.
When: Saturday March 10, 2012 11 am to 9pm
Where: Bars around Philadelphia
If you’re the mood for a St. Paddy’s inspired pub crawl but have a taste for highbrow beer, the Craft Beer Express is your ticket. The crawl runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and stops at craft beer bars such as Johnny Brenda's, The Institute, Kraftwork, and the P.O.P.E. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited.
When: Thursday, March 15, 2012 8pm
Where: The Keswick Theatre
St. Patrick's Day starts early in Glenside with Ireland's beloved, Irish Rovers, a rowdy, upbeat folk group. Tickets are $29.50.
The Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade
When: Saturday March 17, 2012 1:00 pm
Where: The Parade runs up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum
Philadelphia’s 242nd St. Patrick’s day Parade, the 2nd oldest in America, features ornate floats, Irish dancing and marching bands.
St. Patrick's Day Tour, Tastes and Toasts
When: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Where: The Laurel Hill Cemetery
Celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day at the beautiful Laurel Hill Cemetery located in Fairmount Park above Kelly Drive. This National Historic Landmark features extravagant mausoleums and sculptures over 78 acres of rolling landscape. The event will honor the heritage and accomplishments of the noteworthy Irish figures buried there. The tour is followed by a reception with an Irish food and beer sampling at the historic Laurel Hill Gatehouse.