Loosen up your Gaelic accent, pick up a copy of your favorite James Joyce book at Central Library, sit down for a feast of corned beef and cabbage at Claddagh Irish Pub and drink up the excitement that is St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Indianapolis! Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. has compiled a number of exciting things to do in Downtown Indianapolis that you simply cannot miss. Be sure to check www.indydt.com for more information.
Start the celebration early by participating in the AOH St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Walk March 11. Looking for more Irish shenanigans? Join the Hoosier Lottery and the Mayor of Indianapolis for the annual Greening of the Canal March 16. The Hoosier Lottery will once again play host to this fun, annual St. Patrick’s Day weekend kickoff that culminates with the ceremonial greening by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. The fun and festivities begin at 6 a.m. at Ohio and West streets. Village Pantry will be on site providing free coffee and donuts while you enjoy the sights and sounds of live Irish music and Celtic dancers. Remember to stop by the Hoosier Lottery tent to register for a chance to win a gift basket valued at $150 filled with Hoosier Lottery products!
The 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. March 16. Honor Indianapolis’s Irish Citizens of the Year, Richard and Robert MacNamara, at the Parade Tent Party located on Vermont Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and are FREE. In the tent you’ll find great local flavors like New Day Meadery’s hard ciders and honey wines!
Parade Route
- Begin at North Streetand Pennsylvania Street
- South on Pennsylvania Street to Ohio Street
- West on Ohio Streetto Meridian Street
- North on Meridian Streetto Michigan Street
The above parade route and surrounding streets will be closed beginning at 11:30 a.m. The affected streets are expected to reopen by 3 p.m.
Don’t miss one of Indy’s oldest Irish traditions! The official run/walk is the 21st annual IAC Shamrock Run and Walk March 17 at 9 a.m. The four-mile course starts on Monument Circle, goes to Fountain Square — home of the “Irish Hill” and finishes back on the Circle. New to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities: ShamRockin’ the Circle! The Indy Sports Foundation and Columbia Club have joined forces to host a festival following the Shamrock Run & Walk with food, beer garden, interactive displays and music on Monument Circle. ShamRockin’ the Circle is FREE and open to the public.
St.Patrick’s Day Events Downtown
When: March 13, 6 p.m., $5 per person (plus tax)
What’s Happening: “No Blarney just Booze” Spirits Tasting
When: March 19, 6:30 p.m., $50 per person (plus tax)
What’s Happening: “Go GREEN!” Wine Dinner – Enjoy six organic wines paired with six dishes.
When: March 15 – 18
What’s Happening: Live entertainment and giveaways leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
- Shamrock & Roll Tent Party
When: March 17, 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. (Tent opens at 6 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sat.)
What’s Happening: Open early for breakfast at 8 a.m.; serving Irish food and drink all day. Live entertainment inside and outside: bagpipers, Mike Malone, The Richard Brentar Band and more!
- Claddagh Cares – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fundraiser
When: March 18, 3 p.m. – close, $5 suggested donation
What’s Happening: Silent auction and raffle to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. Donors receive FREE appetizers.
When: March 15 – 18, various times
What’s Happening: Thurs.: Irish Trivia and Flat 12 beer sampling; Fri.: green Jell-O shots and beer tapping; Sat. open at 8 a.m., Irish drink specials; Sun. Irish Breakfast Buffet ($8), $3.50 Guinness pints and $5 Michael Collins Irish Coffee.
When: March 16, before and after the parade
What’s Happening: Stop in for a complimentary cuppa’ Patrick’s green tea!
When: March 16 & 17, various times
What’s Happening: Vendors offering special Irish-themed menu items. Performance of Celtic Rain March 16 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. followed by the Indiana Ceili band performing on March 17 from 10:00 a.m. – noon.
U-Relish Farm – Irish Coddle for the Crockpot
Fermenti Artisans – garlic sausage from Smoking Goose
3 days in Paris – green eggs and ham crepe
Just Cookies – Lucky Green Cookie and Shamrock Rice Krispee Treats
Circle City Sweets – Irish Car Bomb Cupcake
Circle City Soups – Guinness Mac & Cheese complimented with an Irish Stew
Natural Born Juicers – Ultimate Greens
Grecian Gardens – Stuffed Green Cabbage
Oberer’s Flowers – green carnation bouquets
Turner’s Restaurant (Diann’s Lounge) at The Canterbury Hotel
When: March 16 & 17
What’s Happening: Enjoy traditional Irish fare in Turner’s Restaurant and a celebration in Diann’s Lounge complete with an Irish buffet and Ennis Claire, an Irish band.
When: March 16 – 18, 8 a.m. – close
What’s Happening: Start St. Patrick’s Day off right with kegs and eggs at 8 a.m. Enjoy a full Irish menu all day as well as bagpipers, Irish music, drink specials and prize giveaways.
The Rathskellar Restaurant – 15th Annual Indianapolis Downtown Irish Fest
When: March 17, Noon – midnight, no cover charge
What’s Happening: Live performances from Brian Cunningham & The Irish Aires, Irish Dancers of Indianapolis, The Gordon Pipers, Woomblies and Zanna Doo. Authentic Irish food will be served along with $6 20-ounce Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks and Half & Half drink specials.
Howl at the Moon St. Paddy’s Day Bash
When: March 17, Noon – 3 a.m.
What’s Happening: $4 16 ox green Bud Light, $6 car bombs, $12 Get Lucky Bones
Champions Sports Bar and Restaurant
When: March 17, all day
What’s Happening: Offering Irish favorites paired with Jameson and Guinness!
When: March 17,11 a.m. – close
What’s Happening: Scotty’s will offer corned beef & cabbage and St. Slater’s steak & cheese plus drink specials on 16-ounce green Coors Light and green Jell-O syringe shots.
When: March 17, 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.
What’s Happening: Guiness Irish stew and corned beef and sweet red cabbage, $6 32-ounce green beer, $4.50 Guinness, $4 Jameson & Baileys, $3 lucky charm green shots with musical performances by Cadillac Dave and The Chicago Red Hots and Gordon Bottom.
Indiana State Museum – Going Green Festival
When: March 16 & 17, Friday 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; $7 adults; $6.50 seniors; $4 children ages 3 – 12
What’s Happening: Love being green even after St. Patrick’s Day! Learn about the latest and greatest ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
When: March 27, Dinner served from 6:30 p.m.; $80
What’s Happening: Sous chef Erin Kem will conduct a cooking class on classic Irish fare. The class will include a four-course meal of Irish classics and pints.
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