March 07, 2017
Philadelphia is a city rich with Irish heritage, which makes it a great place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Holiday events include the annual parade, a huge bar crawl and an Irish whiskey tasting.
Whether you plan on celebrating on March 17 or want to start the festivities early, use this guide to see what's going on across the city.
Discover the history of Teeling Irish Whiskey at Bainbridge Street Barrel House.
Attendees will learn to identify the tasting notes of small-batch, single-grain and single-malt.
Complimentary snacks will be served.
Thursday, March 9
7:30 p.m. | $25 per person
Bainbridge Street Barrel House
625-627 S. Sixth St.
(267) 324-3553
The warm-up Erin Express took place on March 4, but Saturday, March 11, is the real deal. Hundreds of people are expected to join in the annual St. Patrick's Day bar crawl.
It's free to attend, just pay-as-you-go at each participating bar. No tickets or wristbands are required, but attendees must be 21-plus for the all-day drinking event.
Buses will be available to shuttle attendees from stop to stop. The buses will stop at each bar on the list around every 15 minutes.
Expect specials from Jameson Whiskey throughout the day.
Saturday, March 11
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Pay-as-you-go
Center City
Want to squeeze a workout in before a beer-fueled celebration? Join the Leprechaun Run, which benefits the Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
The event, which has taken place for the last 32 years, is offering something new for 2017. In addition to the 5-mile run and 2-mile walk, there will be a 7-mile race.
Saturday, March 11
7:30 a.m. | $25-$40 registration
MLK Drive (by Paine's Park)
Learn about the Irish buried at the historic cemetery, then enjoy beer and food in the gatehouse.
Saturday, March 11
1 p.m. | $17-$20 per person
Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Ave.
(215) 228-8200
The majority of the 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Philadelphia will take place on Market Street.
The 2017 parade route is different from previous years. The staging area will be on JFK, between 16th and 20th. From there, the route will wrap around City Hall and continue down Market Street. The performance area will be located by Independence Hall.
Attendees to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Philadelphia can expect Irish dancers, marching bands, Irish musical groups, Irish associations and decorated floats.
The 2017 parade theme is "St. Patrick, Protect and Guide Our Police Officers."
Sunday, March 12
Noon to 3 p.m. | Free
Market Street
The Irish bar in Center City will open early for the holiday.
Attendees can expect live music and "enough beer and whiskey to make any Dubliner jealous of Philadelphia." Wearing green is encouraged.
Friday, March 17
Fado Irish Pub
1500 Locust St.
(215) 893-9700
Xfinity Live! will celebrate the holiday with a party on March 17. There will be live music in Victory Beer Hall, along with plenty of green beer and Jameson specials throughout the entire venue.
Friday, March 17
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Pay-as-you-go
Xfinity Live!
1100 Pattison Ave.
Check back for updates on more St. Patrick's Day events.
