When March rolls around, Denver turns a little greener.
Around St. Patrick’s Day, the plethora of Irish traditions ingrained across the Mile High City truly come to life. From lively parades and historic pubs to music, dance and community festivals, there are so many ways to celebrate Irish heritage right here in Denver.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing or a classic pub crawl, here are Bucket List’s top five ways to celebrate Irish culture across Denver for St. Patty’s Day.
1.)
Start the Day at the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
There’s no better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Denver then heading downtown for the annual St. Patty’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14.
If you’ve never been to the parade, you’re missing out. Denver has the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Rocky Mountain region in terms of attendance and folks go all out. Expect elaborate floats, Irish step dancers, marching bands, bagpipers and community groups filling the streets with music and color.
It starts at 9:30 a.m. near Union Station and will make its way up to Blake Street, finishing just a few blocks past Coors Field. If you’re planning on going, make sure to arrive early. The city anticipates 300,000 people will attend, so it’s going to get packed quickly along the parade route. Show up as soon as you can to ensure you get a front row seat to the festivities.
2.)
Raise a Pint at a Classic Irish Pub
Is sitting along a packed parade route not your speed? No worries, just head to one of Denver’s many authentic Irish pubs for a cold pint of Guinness.
Guinness and Ireland are synonymous with each other, which makes this the perfect time of year to celebrate Irish heritage. After all, no St. Patty’s Day celebration is complete without a trip to a proper Irish pub. (Bonus points if you can “Split the G.”)
If you’re looking for recommendations on great Irish pubs around the city, we’ve got you covered. Scruffy Murphy’s off Larimer is right off the parade route and is always a good time. It’s a smaller, lively bar that is usually packed. The Celtic On Market is located right next to the Auraria Campus and near Ball Arena, and is my personal favorite place to grab a pint of Guinness. The bar has plenty of seating and you’re almost never pressed for space. If you want a more chill experience, this is the spot for you.
3.)
Experience Traditional Irish Music and Dance
Irish culture is deeply rooted in storytelling, music and dance. On St. Patrick’s Day, those traditions truly flourish across Denver. Throughout the city, pubs, event stages and festival spaces fill with the sounds of fiddles, bodhrán drums, celtic dancers and lively folk tunes that make you feel like you’re on the Emerald Isle.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for pop-up performances at pubs and festival stages after the parade. The most memorable moments often happen in smaller venues where musicians and dancers perform just a few feet away from the crowd.
4.)
Keep the Celebration Going at Irishfest Denver
Once the parade wraps up, the celebration doesn’t have to stop there. Head over to Irishfest Denver on 21st and Blake to take in some of the unique food vendors, cultural booths and live entertainment nearby.
It’s a great place to slow down, grab a bite to eat and continue soaking up the festive atmosphere from the parade. As a bonus, you’ll be treated to Irish dance demonstrations, traditional music and local groups sharing information about Irish heritage in Colorado.
Irishfest Denver is a fun, family-friendly way to get up close and personal with Irish culture right here in our backyard, so make sure to check it out if you’re already downtown for the parade. Even if you don’t attend the parade, Irishfest will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on March 14, so stop by if you can!
5.)
Dig Into Traditional Irish Food
Food is a huge part of any cultural celebration, and St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in classic Irish comfort dishes.
At Clancy’s Irish Pub in Wheat Ridge, you can order hearty plates of corned beef, cabbage and shepherd’s pie served in an authentic setting. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, head to the Irish Rover, who’s serving up Irish egg rolls with corned beef and sauerkraut, along with a traditional Irish breakfast complete with black pudding.
Pair your meal with a stout or Irish whiskey, and you’ve got an experience worthy of the occasion.
St. Patrick’s Day in Denver isn’t just about wearing green; it’s about celebrating the traditions, music, food and community that make Irish culture so vibrant.
Whether you’re watching the parade, enjoying live music or sharing a meal at a neighborhood pub, these experiences offer the perfect way to join the Mile High City’s annual celebration. Sláinte!
Do you have a listicle in mind? Any ideas can be sent to ryland.c.scholes@gmail.com. And don’t forget to check out our events calendar on our website to see what else is happening in our area.
See you next Tuesday with another Bucket Listicle.
Ryland Scholes
Production Manager/Bucket List Community Cafe
Follow our daily news feeds on Facebook and Instagram
Contact us with your story ideas.
Listen to our Podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
