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2024 St. Patrick's Day Local Events and Family Fun

โ˜˜๏ธ Fun Facts, Local Events, Cool Crafts, and Yummy Recipes for St. Patrickโ€™s Day

By Kyrie Collins, Macaroni KID Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher March 14, 2024

The "Feast of St. Patrick" has been celebrated by the Irish since the ninth century and became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903.

Although not a legal holiday in the United States, it is widely celebrated by people who are proud to be Irish, people who wish they were Irish, and people who just like drinking green beer! Here are some family-friendly ideas to help you celebrate the holiday... whatever your reason!

DID YOU KNOW? The proper nickname is "St. Paddy's Day," not "St. Patty's Day." Paddy is the shortened form of Pádraig, the Irish name that led to the English name Patrick. Patty is a shortened form of the female name Patricia.

Fun Facts

โ˜˜๏ธ The very first St. Patrick's Day Parade was not in Ireland... it was in Boston in 1737.

โ˜˜๏ธ The original color of St. Patrick's Day was blue, not green.

โ˜˜๏ธ The first three leaves of a regular clover symbolize hope, faith, and love. It is the fourth leaf that symbolizes luck.

โ˜˜๏ธ It is estimated that there are 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers per "lucky" four-leaf clover.

โ˜˜๏ธ According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves ever found on a shamrock (clover) was 14.

โ˜˜๏ธ Dublin is the capital of Ireland. There is also a Dublin, California, and a Dublin, Ohio.

Festivals, Parades, & Family-Friendly Events

St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Town Center at Aurora
Saturday, March 9
Jig along to the mesmerizing rhythms of traditional Irish step dance performed by Celtic Steps! Quench your thirst with green beer served up by Helga’s Haus Bier Garden, and indulge in some Irish-inspired treats while you enjoy the entertainment. Kids will enjoy balloon twisting, face painting, and more exciting activities.

Denver Brass Quintet, Cherokee Ranch & Castle
Sunday, March 10
Be immersed in the sound of Colorado’s deep Celtic roots at this awaited return of the award-winning and beloved Denver Brass Quintet. In honor of upcoming St. Patrick's celebrations, the DB5 is joined by Celtic pipers for iconic favorites. Goosebumps are guaranteed!

Running of the Green, Wash Park
Sunday, March 10
This family-oriented 7K and 2-Mile race/walk centered around the Irish celebration of St. Patrick’s Day also has a great post-party with live Irish music, Irish dancers, a beer garden, bagpipes, and much more! 

St. Patrick's Day Slime Party, Play Street Museum
Friday, March 15
In addition to playtime, kids will get to make their own lucky batch of slime. Choose from Rainbow or St. Patrick's Day. The event includes 1.5 hours of playtime and one batch of Rainbow or St. Patrick's Day slime per kiddo.

St. Paddy's Day Celebration, Pindustry
Friday, March 15
Kick off St. Patrick's Day Weekend with an Irish Goodbye to the Sky Rink (FREE ice skating) plus a photo booth and Irish food and drink specials.

5th annual ShamROCK Stampede 3.3K & 7K, Douglas County Fairgrounds
Saturday, March 16
ShamROCK Stampede’s mission is to elevate the celebration of St. Paddy’s Day with a family-friendly Walk/Run and Irish-themed festival to increase awareness and raise funds for organizations that help our veterans, first responders, and others break free from PTSD and mental illness.

HRCA St. Patrick's Day 5K, Highlands Ranch Town Center
Saturday, March 16
Grab your friends, family, running/walking shoes, and your best Irish costume to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a festive 5K. Afterward, enjoy a tasty pint from Living the Dream Brewing (ages 21+), a FREE pancake breakfast, and entertainment. A leprechaun will be hiding a golden kettlebell along the course! Find it and bring it back to the finish to win $100!

Quintet Gan Ainm, Cherokee Ranch & Castle
Saturday, March 16
Gather for craic (good times) with Quintet Gan Ainm playing traditional Irish music. These musicians are well known in the Denver Irish music scene and have come together for a night of music, jokes, and fun to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The evening will include time to explore Cherokee Castle, take in the views, and enjoy pub fare from the buffet and a cash bar featuring Irish Coffee and bottled Guinness.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown Denver
Saturday, March 16
One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the entire country features floats, Irish step dancers, pipe bands, horses, and much more. The entire parade lasts up to four hours.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown Colorado Springs
Saturday, March 16
The celebration includes the Pedalin’ St. Pat’s 30K/50K Bike Ride, the 5K for St. Patrick's Day, the biggest parade in Colorado Springs, a St. Paddy's Sports Expo, and more!

St. Patrick's Day Performance, Stanley Marketplace
Sunday, March 17
It's a celebration to remember with a traditional St. Patrick’s Day Irish step dance performance from Celtic Steps. Enjoy the rhythmic beats and spirited dance from this talented troupe as they bring the joy of Irish culture to life. 

Cool Crafts
Fun Ideas for Preschoolers



Yummy Recipes
Shamrock Pancakes
Fruit Rainbow and a Pot o' Gold
Soda Bread with a Twist



Rebenack's Irish Soda Bread
Triple Decker Corned Beef Sandwich
Simple Shepherd's Pie



Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage
Pot o' Gold Treats
Lucky Leprechaun Chocolate Bark