It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! Get moving and check out some of these St. Patrick’s Day Parades and festivals all over California. While you may not be able to be in Ireland during this green day, the celebrations in California are bound to get you moving and into the green holiday spirit. Go beyond just wearing something green this year. Make green drinks, look for four leaf clovers, plant a tree (there’s more than one way to be green), or attend a green event. Who knows, maybe you will be the one finding a pot of gold!
Moving to California‘s most Irish related city, I’m starting with Dublin, California. Yea! There is a city in CA named Dublin! The 2011 event in Dublin, California is an all-weekend event from March 12-13. It’s an outdoor St. Patrick’s Day festival featuring authentic Irish music, an Irish Tea Cottage, stages of entertainment, a carnival, food, and fun! The festival is free, parking is free, and the venue is accessible by the BART!
Moving to Southern California you can check out the St. Patrick’s Day parades and festivities in Hermosa Beach! A parade starts here on March 12, at 11am at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive. After the parade the day will be filled with musical acts until 5pm. The parade festivities moved to HB in 1995 and became a hit ever since. RSVP to their facebook page!
The LA County Irish Fair and Music Festival in Pamona, CA will really get you moving in the Irish spirit! The Celtic communities in Southern California come together to provide performances, sheep herding demonstrations, athletic games, food, and lots of music on multiple stages. The event is March 12-13 at the Fairplex in Pamona. There is a charge at the door, but parking is free. And this year, everyone with the last name O’brien gets in for free!
If your moving around Orange County this weekend, check out The OC Marketplace. On Sunday, March 13, there will be a free day of Irish entertainment. There will also be green lemonade and Irish mint ice cream! The 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is from 9 am to 4 pm.
Ventura County is holding its own St. Patrick’s Day Parade. You can join the festivities on Saturday at 10 am on Main Street in Downtown Ventura. This is the 23rd year Ventura County is hosting the parade.
Moving south on the California map, San Diego is holding even more festivities! On Saturday, the Irish Congress of Southern California is holding the 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in Balboa Park. It is considered one of the largest single-day events in San Diego. The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at 10am with a flag raising ceremony followed by over 150 parade entries. Get moving early to grab a good seat!
Know of any St. Patrick’s Day Parades and festivities in your area of California? Let me know!