On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish and, luckily, the D.C. area has a number of ways to celebrate the holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day falls on Thursday, March 17. And just a heads up: The forecast calls for rain and temperatures in the 60s.
- 10 things you didn’t know about St. Patrick’s Day
- 5 recipes and a cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day
- Drink like the Irish? Reach for an Irish whiskey (recipe)
Parades
Rescheduled
The 20th annual parade in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was pushed back a week to March 19 because of snow in the forecast. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Groups marching include Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, clowns, fire trucks, equestrian units and service organizations. After the route ends, live entertainment will be hosted at the lakefront plaza until 2 p.m.
Other ways to celebrate
If crowds and parades aren’t your thing, there are alternatives.
Go for a walk in D.C. and stop by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. to see the White House fountains go green for St. Patrick’s Day. Another spot to visit is the Embassy of Ireland, where an Irish flag flies high on Massachusetts Avenue.
In Montgomery County, the parks and planning commission partnered with Read Across America to host a Leprechaun Hunt at the Maydale Nature Classroom at 10:30 a.m. on March 17. The event has a $6 fee and is intended for kids ages 3 to 8.
Pubs
Sláinte! (Or “Cheers!” for those of you who are only Irish one day of the year.)
There’s no shortage of Irish pubs in the District. But here are a few that shamrock:
The Dubliner
Phoenix Park Hotel, 4 F St. NW, Washington, D.C.
The Dubliner hosts live music every night and serves Irish food, in addition to beer (bonus: it has menu options “for the wee folks”). The Dubliner is pouring 48-cent Guinness between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday morning as the Irish pub marks its 48th year on Capitol Hill.
Nanny O’Briens Pub
3319 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Make your own Nanny Burger with housemade beef and a (very Irish) potato roll at Nanny O’Brien’s Pub.
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.
Ireland’s Four Courts says it will have Irish dancers — plus live music all day long.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub
713 King St., Alexandria, Va.
A variety of genres of Irish music will be performed at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day.
Ireland’s Four Provinces
105 W Broad St., Falls Church, Va.
Ireland’s Four Provinces has a special menu with Irish grub for breakfast, lunch and dinner on March 17.
The Celtic House Irish Pub & Restaurant
2500 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Va.
Kick back and enjoy the Irish food and music on the weekends.
