Have a shamrockin’ time at one of the area’s Irish-themed parades, bar crawls, or family-friendly festivals this weekend. Dress in your luckiest green, and tap into the St. Patrick’s Day fun:
Lucky “A St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up”
The NoMa beer garden’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities will wrap up this weekend with back-to-back parties. You can expect Irish cocktails, music from local bands, shamrock games, and themed dance parties (free).
St. Patrick’s Weekend Rooftop Celebration
Spend Saturday and Sunday commemorating St. Paddy’s weekend atop Hi-Lawn’s open-air rooftop, or inside the heated dome. The Union Market destination will serve fish and chips and whiskey, and host the Culkin School of Irish Dance to provide dance lessons (free).
St. Patrick’s Day Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt
Dacha Beer Garden’s St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt is back, but this year with an accompanying murder mystery to solve. Teams of three to six players can try their luck at uncovering a Dublin conspiracy while sipping Guinness (free).
St. Patrick’s Themed Modern Calligraphy
DIY crafters can sip and script at a St. Patrick’s-themed workshop at Atlas Brew Works Ivy City Brewery & Taproom. The course is an introduction to modern calligraphy with a pointed dip pen and ink. Participants will receive a kit including nibs, ink, paper, and other tools to help craft a personalized card ($65).
Ireland at the Wharf Festival
Tap into the St. Patrick’s Day spirt at this giant wat
Kiss Me, I’m Irish
Make some fun memories at this St. Paddy’s weekend bar crawl. The two-day U Street bar hop takes you to ten local eateries and lounges where you can find cheap drinks and discounted snacks. The stroll begins at Sudhouse DC and continues on to The Alchemist, El Rey, Chicken + Whiskey, and more pubs ($20+).
Solas Nua 20th Anniversary Celebration
DC’s Irish arts organization Solas Nua is hosting a 20th anniversary bash. Guests can watch theatrical monologues, listen to poetry readings, see live Irish music performances, and snag copies of Stinging Fly—a Dublin literary magazine—at Howard Theatre (free).
Saint Patricks Day Kids and Family Festival
Shipgarten welcomes kiddos to join the St. Patrick’s Day excitement, at a festival hosted by storybook characters Merida and Peter Pan. Children can get their faces painted, play on the playground, jump around in a moon bounce, and participate in a magic show featuring Jake the Great; dogs are welcome, too (free).
Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
