We’re so close to the start of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations here in South Florida that you can almost hear the sound of bagpipes and drums in the distance.
Kilt-clad bands will soon march into downtown streets, playing traditional Irish tunes as the pulsating soundtrack to parades and parties packed with revelers dressed in green. (You’re risking a leprechaun’s pinch if you don’t!)
The Feast of Saint Patrick, which honors the patron saint of Ireland, isn’t until March 17, but you’re luckier than a four-leaf clover because festivities in Broward and Palm Beach counties are set to start this weekend!
So make your plans to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and spend your coins on green beer and corned beef and cabbage while you shamrock out to U2 tribute and Celtic rock bands.
(And remember, as the Irish proverb says, “Wherever you go and whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you.”)
BROWARD COUNTY
Fort Lauderdale
- Paint the city green (literally) during the street striping ceremony from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Tunnel Top Plaza, Las Olas Boulevard and Southeast Sixth Avenue. The tradition marks the St. Patrick’s festival’s spot and prepares the city to celebrate the annual parade the next day. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/stpat.
- From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, the CORE Construction Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival takes over Tunnel Top Plaza, at Las Olas Boulevard and Southeast Sixth Avenue, with live music, a kids’ zone, exhibitors, interactive games, cultural activities, and Irish food and beverages. Set to start at noon, the parade will feature floats, bagpipers, marching bands, street performers and classic automobiles, traveling east on Las Olas Boulevard from Huizenga Plaza to Southeast Ninth Avenue. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/stpat.
- The 12th annual Fort Lauderdale Shamrock Run 4 Miler races into Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 16. Cost is $45 through 11:59 p.m. March 15 and $50 at the event. A Lucky Leprechaun Kids Dash will take place from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Registration is $22 through 11:59 a.m. March 15. Visit runsignup.com.
Hollywood
The milelong Hollywood St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 9, making its way through downtown beginning at Harrison Street and 21st Avenue, continuing north to Hollywood Boulevard, east to Young Circle, south to westbound Harrison Street and returning to 21st Avenue. Line up early to see floats, marching bands and the famous New York Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Corps. The celebration continues during a festival on Hollywood Boulevard near Young Circle, with U2 By UV — The U2 Concert Experience and other bands. There will be kids’ activities and more than 80 vendor booths. Free admission. Visit stpatricksfestival.com.
Coral Springs
Based on the popularity of its other signature events, the city is putting on its first Blarney Bash, a celebration of Irish culture, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at City Hall Lawn, 9500 W. Sample Road. The event’s headliners: The Byrne Brothers, a family band from Donegal, Ireland, that blends modern traditional Irish music and dancing. Also part of the lineup: food trucks, green beer, games and roaming entertainment, as well as performances by Drake Irish Dance. Free admission. Visit coralsprings.gov/blarney.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Jupiter
The fifth annual Jupiter Irish Fest, presented by Ireland US Experience, promises to provide authentic food, drink, culture, entertainment and live music to Abacoa Town Center, 1267 Main St., from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Produced by Dublin native and Tequesta Fire-Rescue captain firefighter/paramedic Dave McGovern, the event will be headlined by Celtic rock band Bangers & Mash at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. An Irish costume contest with prizes for adults and children and an Irish dance competition also are on the schedule. Admission is $5, and free for children age 12 and younger with an adult. VIP experiences are available. Visit jupiteririshfest.com.
Delray Beach
The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band will travel from Ireland to take part in the 55th annual Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at noon Saturday, March 15. The route moves west along Atlantic Avenue from the Intracoastal Waterway to Northwest Fifth Avenue. They will join the Washington, D.C., Fire Department Pipes and Drums, Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Palm Beach County Firefighters Pipes and Drums, as well as floats and entries featuring schools, businesses, community and nonprofit groups, elected officials, veterans, first responders, Irish heritage societies and others. This year’s grand marshals are homefront heroes — the spouses, parents, children or friends of members of the military. The festival pops up from 1 to 5 p.m. at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., with music, food booths, vendors and games. Celtic rock band Bangers and Mash takes the stage at 1 p.m., and Vertigo U2 Tribute Band performs at 3:30 p.m. Free admission to both events. Visit stpatsdelray.com.
West Palm Beach
The Almost St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, an interactive themed experience for guests age 21 and older, will take over Clematis Street from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 15. Your assigned route, which will be determined by your check-in time, includes stops at O’Sheas Irish Pub (check-in), Hullabaloo, Lost Weekend WPB, BRK Republic and Garden District Taproom. There will also be social media contests, including for best dressed. Tickets are $15 to $19 online only. Visit eventbrite.com.
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