18 Ways to Celebrate 2016 St. Patrick’s Day in Colorado
Whether you’re in Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, Boulder, Durango, Grand Junction, Aspen, or Fort Collins this St. Patrick’s Day, there are plenty of fun things to do! We’ve selected 18 events throughout our state that will inspire your inner Irishman. See a parade, ride a train, dance your heart out and drink green beer as you become Irish for a day!
Colorado Springs
1. 32nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 12 at noon
Break out your kilts and bagpipes for this long-standing celebration in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. Thousands of people will line Tejon Street starting at St. Vrain Street and moving south eight blocks until Vermijo Avenue. Get there early to secure your spot and be ready to cheer on the bands, classic cars, and parade floats. In addition to the parade, there is a 5K race at 10:00am as well as 50K bike ride even earlier at 8:30am on the same day. Choose from three courses – challenging (31 miles), intermediate (21.7 miles), and ‘Family All the Way’ (15 miles) – you can even race on a tandem bike!
2. 15th Annual Catholic Charities of Central Colorado St. Patrick’s Day Gala
Saturday, March 12 at 5:30pm
Give back this St. Patrick’s Day by attending this fundraising event at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Catholic Charities is a force for good in Southern Colorado and seeks to feed the hungry, clothe the destitute, and support families through an array of services. Come for the live auction, dancing, entertainment provided by the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and a live painting performance by Devin Montagne. On the menu is corned beef with horseradish and a Guinness beer jus, green beans and baby carrots, Irish soda bread, and Bailey’s cheesecake!
3. Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub and Alehouse
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00am
One of our favorite local watering holes (and destination on our Original Colorado Springs Food Tour!), Jack Quinn’s is authentic as they get. Furnished with genuine Irish memorabilia and a beautiful custom wood bar, you’ll think you were transported to the Green Isle itself. The day is packed with festivities and merriment starting in the morning and continuing until the wee hours. Join in song with bands such as Ceol Ceili, Skean Dubh, Pikes Peak Highlanders, The McDeviants, and Rare Oulde Times or take a dance lesson provided by Celtic Steps. Order a Guinness or shot of Irish whiskey and nosh on traditional fare including fish and chips, salmon boxties, and “Irish Nachos” topped with corned beef.
Other Irish restaurants and pubs to try in Colorado Springs: O’Malley’s (Palmer Lake), The Dublin House, Alchemy (Old Colorado City), and Erin Inn.
Pueblo
4. St Patrick’s Day Dinner & Frolic
Friday, March 11 at 5:00pm
The Irish Club of Pueblo plans this annual fundraising event that features a bona fide Irish meal, Celtic dancing and a live auction. The event will be held at the historic Pueblo Union Depot built in 1890. Purchase your tickets in advance or sponsor a table.
Saturday, March 12 at 3:00pm
Shamrock has a history dating back to 1940 and boasts a fairly recent renovation preserving the original luster of the mahogany bar and wooden floor. This popular brewery has joined forces with the Pueblo First Responders & Friends and St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help raise money for children’s cancer research. Shave your head (only for the brave!) or simply donate to the cause. Throughout the week, the pub will have bagpipers as well as menu and drink specials.
Denver
6. 54th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 12 at 9:30am
For 54 years, the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has organized this huge event that some argue is the largest gathering of Colorado residents with more than 200,000 spectators and 10,000 participants. Led by a task force of over 300 volunteers, the parade is a lively celebration of Irish culture and the coming of spring. This year’s theme is “Irish Stampede” and the route goes past Union Station and Coors Field.
7. Paddy Hard St. Patrick’s Festival
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00am
Fado Irish Pub brings you an outdoor festival like no other. With 10 hours of live music from local bands, Celtic dancers, food trucks galore and of course lots of beer, everyone is sure to have a fun time. The festivities will carry through to St. Patrick’s Day itself, March 17, at the pub…just in case you didn’t get enough music, dancing and beer at the festival!
Saturday, March 12 at noon
Buy a pass that will get you access into six bars along Broadway Street as well as three drink cards, drink specials and a $30 Uber credit. Participants will have fun taking pictures of leprechauns, a man with a beard, and someone doing an Irish jig on the Photo Hunt,’ which awards a cash prize. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Denver Catholic Worker House. Must be 21+ for this make-your-own adventure afternoon.
9. Green Lucky 7K and Leprechaun Leap 2 Mile Walk
Sunday, March 13 at 10:15am
Considered the kickoff to the Denver running season, this is one of the largest 7K races in the nation. Run between the tall buildings in the center of downtown and finish at Fado Irish Pub. Enjoy live music, a beer garden, Irish dancers, and the thrill of being among other outdoor enthusiasts. If you’re not into racing but would like to enjoy the festivities, consider doing the two-mile walk, which isn’t timed.
Other Irish restaurants and pubs to try in Denver: The Irish Rover Pub and Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub.
Boulder
10. St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Concert
Thursday, March 17 at 7:00pm
Matthew Gurnsey, known as the ‘The Kilted Man,’ will give an hour-long performance of songs and storytelling at the Longmont Public Library. An event for all ages, and better yet – it’s free! Registration is required and will likely fill up.
11. Kegs and Cabbage at the Boulder Theater
Thursday, March 17 at 5:30pm
General admission to this event is free and participants will take advantage of great deals on Irish fare, Boulder Beer, and Jameson. Enjoy a live music performance from Pro-Leisure and The Alcapones starting at 7:00pm.
Durango
Thursday, March 17 at 9:45am
All aboard the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a scenic 52-mile trip through Cascade Canyon along the Animas River. The Kitchen Jam Band will entertain guests with Celtic music, and guests can reserve a special Irish boxed lunch featuring a corned beef sandwich. Purchase tickets in advance to guarantee your spot!
Thursday, March 10 – Sunday, March 13
Durango is celebrating with four full days of entertainment, Irish sessions, dancing, food, and workshops. The Irish Embassy Pub, a popular local bar, will serve as one of the main hubs along with the Henry Strater Theatre. Attend one of the many workshops and learn how to play the Bodhran (traditional Celtic drum), the bagpipe, how to sing Gaelic tunes and more. A total of 13 bands will be playing over the course of the festival making this an extraordinary opportunity for an authentic Irish celebration. Attend select events or purchase a festival pass that will gain you access into everything.
Grand Junction
14. St. Paddy’s Dance Party
Friday, May 11 at 8:00pm
Hosted by La Puerta dance company, this fun St. Patrick’s themed night will have you dancing until dawn. Don’t forget to wear your green costume – there will be prizes!
15. 7th Annual Fruitvale Lions Club St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Supper
Saturday, March 19 at 4:00pm
This community fundraising dinner offers an all-you-can-eat Irish feast for only $8. Having grown in popularity over the years, the dinner is now hosted at Taste of Heaven Catering. Know that your attendance is helping organizations like The Salvation Army, HomewardBound Homeless Shelter, Foundation for Cultural Exchange, ALS and more.
Aspen
16. St. Patrick’s Day Cross Stung Concert
Thursday, March 17 at 9:00pm
Hailing from Utah, Cross Stung is a new contemporary folk, bluegrass and Celtic band. Hear them play live at Aspen’s Justice Snow’s, a hip restaurant located within the historic Wheeler Opera House.
17. Pot-O-Gold Restaurant Gift Certificate Hunt
Thursday, March 17
Green pots-o-gold will be hidden throughout 10 local restaurants and bars in Snowmass containing gift certificates. Each destination will have drink and food specials as well as live music. Maybe you’ll have the luck of the Irish, but at the very least you’ll have a great afternoon!
Fort Collins
18. Lucky Joe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00am
Head to Fort Collins for a full day of festivities starting off with the 18th Annual Sharin’ O’ the Green 5K Walk/Run. Next, head downtown for the parade that attracts thousands and has been running for over two decades. Finally, spend the evening at the Old Town Square for the Old Town Irish Party where guests will enjoy live music and a “green beer garden.” And remember, there will be free parking in all parking garages!
Other Irish restaurants and pubs to try in Fort Collins: Lucky Joe’s.
No matter where you find yourself this St. Patrick’s Day, we challenge everyone to raise a pint of green beer – we’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
Cheers!
