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A guide to St. Patty’s Day
Darian Trabold, Associate Lifestyle Editor
As one of my favorite holidays approaches, I am excited to celebrate my first St. Patrick’s Day in the city! No matter what you like to do, St. Patrick’s Day has it all, from celebrating Irish Culture to all-day parties. Lucky for you (pun intended), I have put together a list of some of the events I am most looking forward to.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual St.Patrick’s Day parade is back and this year it’s on Sunday, March 19th. It begins at noon on the corner of St. George and Bloor, continuing towards Queen Street before reaching its final stop at Nathan Phillips Square. The parade is a fun viewing of Irish culture near U of T. It is completely free, but if you want a good spot you should get there early!
Toronto Irish Film Festival
I discovered this festival while doing research for this article, and bought my ticket for opening night! Taking place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox from March 24–26, it features 8 films and 31 short films. Tickets are only $12.50 for students per event, or you could purchase a full access pass for $60. Films include the Oscar-nominated The Quiet Girl and a short film about Ireland narrated by Liam Neeson.
Guinness SPD
Dubbed Toronto’s “favorite all-day St.Patrick’s Day party,” Guinness SPD is back for its eighth year. It takes place at Rebel on Saturday, March 18th from 11:30 am until 8:30 pm. Tickets cost $22.75. It features a complimentary pancake breakfast, Irish fiddlers and dancers, and more. For those who love to have Guinness on St.Patrick’s Day, this is a perfect event!
Best Damn Stand Up Comedy Show: St. Patrick’s Day Edition
For those who love a good laugh, this comedy show is perfect. It has three headliners including some of Canada’s top comedians like James O’Hara, as well as many other comedy acts. As a lover of Derry Girls, I’m always looking for a good laugh, so this show looks like a lot of fun! It takes place on St. Patrick’s Day at the Social Capital Theater. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Family – St. Patrick’s Day
For those who love fiddling and Celtic music, this is the perfect event for you. The concert features some of the top fiddlers in Canada, some of whom are going to be playing alongside their children. It takes place on St. Patrick’s Day from 7:30–10 pm at Queen Elizabeth Theater.
St. Patrick’s Day is not only a day to be Irish, but also something that celebrates the impact of Irish culture in Canada, as well as having many parties that come along with it. So don’t forget to wear green and enjoy some of these exciting St. Patrick’s Day events in Toronto.
