Forget the post-St. Paddy’s hangover — there’s stuff to do all weekend!
Tasnim Choudhury LIFESTYLE COLUMNIST
Image: Daily Hive
It’s that time of the year again to celebrate colourful Irish culture! Set your inner leprechaun free with Irish music, games, and more this holiday. Don’t forget to bring your Irish spirit and rock some St. Paddy’s Day green!
The Parade
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is definitely the best way to celebrate this exciting day. As it does every year, the parade will start from the corner of Bloor Street and St. George Street by the St. George subway station and head east along Bloor Street. The wave of green will then turn south on Yonge Street, move west on Queen Street, and end at Nathan Phillips Square. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 10. If you don’t have anywhere else to be, this is the perfect way to kick off St. Paddy’s week!
The Annual Mass
St. Patrick’s Day is incomplete without a mass. It will take place at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16. Enjoy some spiritual time with your family!
The Guinness Party
Drop by to enjoy some free pancakes, Irish food vendors, bands, DJs, and games at Toronto’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party on Saturday, March 16. Guinness will be hosting this event at 11 Polson Street from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Party-goers can also enjoy the instant photo booths, beer pong, and airbrush tattoos. Tickets are on sale for $15–$20.
Liberty Grand Party
Look no further if you want to be a part of one of the most hyped events surrounding St. Patrick’s celebrations — this grand party at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex boasts a whopping 3K people. Come enjoy live music, Irish decor, art installations, and amazing food on March 16 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s better to grab the early bird tickets online for only $10 but they are also available for later purchase.
Steam Whistle Pilsner Bash
Celebrate the 18th anniversary of Steam Whistle’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd, and enjoy some traditional Irish eats from the Irish Embassy Pub and Grill. Dance the night away with live Celtic music from Poor Angus and Fresh Eire. Come ready to party on Saturday, March 16, or Sunday, March 17, from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
1K Kids, 5K & 10K Race
Celebrate the Irish spirit by donning your best green tracksuit and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with the 20th year of the annual Achilles St. Patrick’s Day race starting at Steam Whistle Brewing, 255 Bremner Blvd. On the race day, Sunday, March 17, the 1K Kids Run will start at 9:45 a.m. while the 5K and 10K races will start at 10:15 a.m. sharp. Register now online until Monday, March 11, or in person from Thursday, March 14, until Saturday, March 16.
Shamrock Fest
Witness the wildest party in town at Cabin Five! Put on your greenest outfit and enjoy a night with friends at the 11th Annual Shamrock Fest on March 16. Enjoy the night with some pop DJs, Irish dance, and some free St. Patrick’s Day hats and beads. Tickets are currently being sold at $10 for now and will also be sold at the door for $15. Note that IDs will be checked at the door.
Dublin Calling
This Irish Pub is ready to go all out this holiday! Enjoy day-long shamrock shenanigans on Sunday, March 17 at Dublin Calling, 250 Adelaide St. W. Jam out with a live DJ, Irish dancing, games, and green beer with your friends. IDs will be checked at the door!
Liberty Village
Enjoy a fun-filled St. Paddy’s Day extravaganza at one of the oldest Irish pubs in town, Brazen Head Irish Pub, located at 165 East Liberty St. Starting on Friday, March 15, this party continues until Sunday, March 17. Enjoy a pint of Guinness and a shot of Tullamore D.E.W. for just $10. Come enjoy the live DJ spinning all through St. Paddy’s Eve.
Heinekens Big Blowout
Start pretending to be Irish a day early with the free BBQ and complimentary Heineken that comes with each ticket at Brooklynn Bar, 1186 Queen Street W. If that is not enough to make your heart (and stomach) flutter, get a little tipsy with $5 shots of Bushmills Irish Whiskey or $6 pints of Murphy’s Irish Stout. Tickets are limited so hurry up!
Toronto has a lot to offer this holiday, so participate in as many events you can! After all, everyone becomes just a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
