For more than two decades, Fort Collins has been the St. Patrick’s Day destination for residents all over the Northern Colorado region — thanks in large part to the free, annual Lucky Joe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Old Town Irish Party hosted by Wilbur’s Total Beverage. The parade and party bring music, costumes, dancing and family-friendly fun to the heart of Old Town for a full day of excitement.
In 2018, St. Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday which means Fort Collins is taking all the Irish holiday fun and making it twice as big and twice as green. Check out our St. Paddy’s Day event guide so you don’t miss one second of the action.
Parade Festivities
Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K
March 17, 8 – 10 a.m. | City Park
Photo courtesy of Partners Mentoring Youth
Make sure your green costume is ready bright and early! You’ll need it to run in the 19th Annual Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K. The course is fast, flat, USATF certified and a BolderBoulder qualifier. With adult registration, you’ll get a timed bib, a free event t-shirt and a local Odell beer after the race. Kids 17 and under can also register for just $10 and anyone under 12 years can run for free in the Shamrock Scurry!
All proceeds go directly to Partners Mentoring Youth which serves to benefit the community by creating mentoring relationships between local adults and children. Register online today to help Northern Colorado and have an extra fun parade day!
Lucky Joe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Old Town Irish Party
March 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Downtown Fort Collins & Old Town Square
Photo courtesy of Downtown Fort Collins Business Association
Old Town’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is the St. Paddy’s Day event of the entire Northern Colorado region. Over two decades, this tradition has increased its Irish spirit, local participation and entertainment to become one of the most talked about events of the year.
Hosted by Lucky Joe’s, one of Fort Collins’ favorite Irish pubs, the procession begins and ends nearly at their door. Grab a spot anywhere along the parade route to watch and participate. The procession will start along Walnut Street and turn left onto College. They’ll travel all the way down to Magnolia before they circle back around on Remington St.
And stick around afterward because Wilbur’s Total Beverage is hosting the Old Town Irish Party beginning at 11 a.m. You won’t want to miss the live music, dancing in the square and the green beer garden. Bring the whole family down to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day the only way Fort Collins knows how — with another free, all-day community party!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at New Belgium Brewing
March 17, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Liquid Center
If you’re looking for a different St. Patrick’s Day option this year, head to New Belgium Brewing for a Special Release: the Green Wit Beer! This cover-free party will feature live Irish tunes from Fort Collins’ own Blind Alley Troubadours from 3 – 5 p.m. then Irish Step Dancing hosted by McTeggart Irish Dance School.
St. Patrick’s Parade Day Celebration at Mainline
March 17, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Mainline Ale House
This Old Town landmark is starting the celebrations early and continuing through the evening! Start with $3 Bloody Marys and mimosas then keep it going with delicious brunch and lunch specials. Because Mainline is right on the parade route, you’ll be able to see all the action.
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Old Chicago
March 17, 9 a.m. – March 18, 2 a.m. | Old Chicago Old Town
Old Town’s Old Chicago is located right on the parade route so you can watch the procession through street-facing garage doors while sipping Guinness drafts, green Coors Light and Bloody Patricks — bloody mary mix with Jameson Irish Whiskey — all day! JB Brown Music will be providing the live tunes.
Avuncular Bob’s St. Paddy’s Day Bash
March 17, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Avuncular Bob’s Beerhouse
At Avuncular Bob’s, they’ll be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day starting off at 11 a.m. Join the fun with $2 Odell Shilling drafts available to anyone wearing green, traditional corned beef and cabbage while it lasts, and a variety of traditional and modern Irish tunes. RSVP on Facebook for event updates.
Cooking Classes
Drinks on the (Sham)Rocks at Ginger and Baker
March 16, 7 – 8 p.m. | Ginger and Baker
At Ginger and Baker, they’re starting the festivities a day early with a cocktail mixology class in the Teaching Kitchen. For $45, skip over the kitschy green beer and step up your Irish experience with specialty cocktails, Irish Coffee, selected whiskeys and other themed drinks all paired with treats from the Ginger and Baker bakery, appetizer and dessert menus!
St Patrick’s Day: Our Favorite Irish Dishes
March 17, 6 – 9 p.m. | The Cooking Studio Fort Collins
When you’re craving food after the all-day parade and party, head to St. Patrick’s Day at The Cooking Studio in Old Town. The three to four-hour hands-on experience will delve deep into menu preparation, cooking techniques, Irish culture and beverage pairings! Buy your tickets here before they sell out.
Kid-friendly Events
Shamrock Fairy Garden
March 17, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. | Bath Garden Center and Nursery
With two events on St. Patrick’s Day, you can enjoy Bath Garden Center’s Shamrock Fairy Garden during the Old Town Irish party or save this for post-party family fun. For $20, you and your kids will learn how to make a fairy garden and you’ll get to take it home! Register in advance here and RSVP on Facebook for event updates.
Live Shows
Anderson East at Washington’s
March 17, 7 p.m. | Washington’s
Photo courtesy of Joshua Black Wilkins via Anderson East
This singer-songwriter has become one of music’s most compelling young artists. With tunes that are as fiery and forceful as they are patient and poetic, you’ll be an instant fan after you see him live at Washington’s. Buy your $10 – 15 tickets online before they sell out!
St. Patty’s Day Party w/ Carnage The Executioner
March 17, 6 – 11 p.m. | The Colorado Room
To celebrate the release of his first live performance DVD and his live album of the same title, Carnage The Executioner’s Attack Of The Show Stealer Tour is coming to The Colorado Room this St. Paddy’s Day. Sharing the stage with Just Wulf, LesOne, Joey Trust and even more surprise guests, it’s sure to be an outstanding show. Buy your $5 ticket in advance here.
WhiteWater Ramble Duo at Magic Rat Live Music
March 17, 7 – 10 p.m. | Magic Rat Live Music
Magic Rat has quickly become famous in Downtown Fort Collins for their intimate live shows — and for their outstanding bar and venue decor. On St. Patrick’s Day, acoustic duo WhiteWater Ramble is hitting the stage. No stranger to FoCo, this band performed on the main stage at Bohemian Nights NewWestFest and headlined FORToberfest!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 17, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. | The Whisk(e)y
This 21+ event will feature live music from Graham Good & The Painters at one of Downtown Fort Collins’ favorite community cocktail lounges, The Whisk(e)y! For a $5 cover at the door, you can enjoy music late into the night and order plenty of green beer to fuel the festivities.
Iliza Shlesinger Live
March 17, 8 p.m. | Lincoln Center Performance Hall
This stand-up comedy rockstar is hitting the Lincoln Center stage on St. Paddy’s Day. And before the show begins, you can enjoy the pre-show St. Party Goblin Bash complete with pints, Irish whiskey and other cocktail specials along with live Irish tunes! Buy your tickets now and RSVP on Facebook for updates.
Big Gay Doomsday
March 17, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Downtown Artery
The Downtown Artery is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a drag show and a can’t-miss after party. Buy your $10 ticket online and get ready for all ages fun, live DJ Mandi Lix, performances by 13 queens, and so much more! RSVP on Facebook for event updates.
The Yawpers with Special Guests at Hodi’s Half Note
March 17, 9 p.m. | Hodi’s Half Note
Locally-famous Denver-based band The Yawpers will be at Hodi’s this St. Patrick’s Day. For just $15 general admission, you can get the full brunt of old-school Americana spirit and sound.
St Patrick’s Day Celebration 2018
March 17, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. | Prost Brewing
NoCo’s own Rocky Bards are coming to the Prost taproom to keep the Irish party going all night long! RSVP on Facebook to get event updates.
Magic Beans with YAMN at Aggie Theatre
March 17, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Aggie Theatre
Magic Beans is a Colorado band that has become one of the state’s favorites due to their unique genre-blending sound and live shows that blend original songwriting and extended segments of improvisation. For $12 – 15 tickets, you can hop on the Casino Cabaret tour as it swings through FoCo on St. Patrick’s Day!
Lawsuit Models, Dead Key and Combatillac at Surfside 7
March 17, 9 p.m. | Surfside 7
If you’re looking for a place to keep the Old Town party going late into the night, head to Surfside 7 for this punk rock show. For just $7 at the door, you’ll enjoy all the drinks, all the green and all the catchy sound at one of FoCo’s favorite late-night venues. RSVP on Facebook for event updates.
The Commoners at Mulligan’s Pub & Sports Club
March 17, 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. | Mulligan’s Pub & Sports Club
As one of Fort Collins’ best Irish bars, Mulligan’s Pub knows how to do St. Patrick’s Day right. Stick around with them and Fort Collins-based Irish band, The Commoners, through the late hours of the night and make the most of the holiday! RSVP on Facebook for more details.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
From all of us at The Group, Inc., have a safe and happy holiday.
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