Friday, March 13
St. Pat’s Pre-Party Start the weekend with a fabulous Irish Lunch or swing by after work for Happy Hour Irish cocktails (noon-8pm). Irish rock sensations, The Vagabonds take the stage at 9pm and DJ S#arpe spins Celtic, rock, top 40 and electronic late into the night. At The Blarney Stone, 216 Carrall St.
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir The glorious voices of the VWMC, steeped in rich Welsh vocal tradition present a repertoire of folk songs, spirituals, show tunes and Canadiana with special guests, The De Danaan Irish Dancers. 7:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets $25 at NorthernTickets.com. All ages welcome.
Saturday, March 14
St. Patrick’s Day 5K Don your very best greens and race in this flat and fast 5k race in scenic Stanley Park to support the Canadian Diabetes Association. Awards for best times, best costumes and an after party at Granville Island Brewery with delicious grub, DJ and lots of fun! 9:30am at Stanley Park Pavillion. Visit StPatricks5K.comfor info/registering.
Irish Brunch The Blarney Stone hosts an Irish brunch complete with Irish Caesars, a happy hour menu until 6pm, live music from Irish Celtic Rock band, The Unusual Suspects, sing-a-long favourites from DJ Steel, Irish and Scottish dancers, pipes and drums. 11am-6pm at 216 Carrall St.
Celtic Village Celebrate Celtic music, dance, culture and spirit all weekend long in the Celtic Village with live music, kid’s face painting and dramatic sword play, the street market and fiddle workshops at Tom Lee Music Hall. 11am-6pm on Granville St. downtown. Open 10am-5:30pm on Sunday.
A Very VCBW Celebration of Questionable Irish Heritage This year skip the green beer and join 20+ craft breweries in their quest to do St. Paddy's right at the Maritime Labour Centre. The legendary Railtown Prophets will set the tone by performing Irish party classics alongside VCBW favourite DJ Hebegebe. Tickets include a four-ounce taster glass, non-stop entertainment, and an evening of beer samples. Partial proceeds will go towards the Vancouver Firefighters' Charitable Society. Tickets $49 at TicketZone.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bash The WISE Hall welcomes back Vancouver’s best Pogues tribute band, the 8-piece ensemble, Shane’s Teeth along with new-comers, The Bad Beats for every beer lover’s favourite holiday party. Presented by Live at the WISE, a venue steeped in the traditions of the U.K., the only place to be for St. Pat’s. Get your tickets now, this bash sells out every year! 8pm at WISE Hall. Tickets $15 at The WISE Lounge, Red Cat, Highlife and BrownPaperTickets.com
Celtic Fest Ceilidh The beating heart of Celtic Fest, a reeling, rollicking good time with a line-up of Celtic gold including Vancouver’s own, The Paperboys, fiddling duo Mark Sullivan & Andy Hillhouse and Fasta. 8pm at The Imperial. Tickets $25 at Tickets.NorthernTickets.com
Sunday, March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Parade The 11th anniversary of Celtic Fest’s largest and most popular free event follows a route starting on Howe and Davie, winding its way north to Georgia, culminating at Georgia and Granville. Award-winning pipe and drum bands, Celtic musicians, Scottish and Irish dancers, acrobats and stilt walkers are just some of the sights to see, but be prepared for crowds! Festival organizers anticipate 200,000 spectators to fill downtown. 11am at Howe and Davie.
Monday, March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Eve Be the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day when the clock strikes 12 with an evening of traditional Irish Dancers, live celt/folk/rock with The Sheets and a countdown with a balloon drop to usher in the good ‘ol luck o’ the Irish! 7pm at The Blarney Stone.
Tuesday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day Street Party The entire 200-block of Carrall Street is shut down for this one! It all starts with a St. Pat’s Brunch from 9am-noon with live music all day including street performances by Danny Bhoy, The Sheets and the legendary Killarney. DJ, Steel spins tunes while Irish and Scottish dancers entertain with pipes and drums, circus performers dazzle and kids get free balloons and face painting. 9am at The Blarney Stone. All ages event until 6pm.
18th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Hoist a pint at Vancouver’s only Irish-owned bar and indulge in the classic dishes of Irish fare – think hearty pot pies, fish & chips, bangers & mash. Irish pipers and dancers entertain crowds throughout the evening and “Baby Heather” across the street opens space for drinks while waiting for a table for dinner. Needless to say, reservations are recommended. [email protected]. 11:30am at The Irish Heather.
Shamrock Shenanigans Fun for the whole family, come out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with stories, songs and crafts. 2pm at VPL Central Branch. Admission is free.
St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl Hop on the party bus and hit up all the best St. Patty’s Day parties Vancouver has to offer. Your pass allows you to cut the line, beat the cover charge and head home with party favours and prizes from costumes contests, so don’t forget to wear green! 7pm at The Pint Public House. Tickets are $25 at ClubZone.com
Electric Six Detroit rockers headline this shamrockin’ party with The Mandevilles and Jack Mercer & The Whiskey Bandits. 8pm at The Imperial. Tickets $20 at Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife, Scrape and TicketWeb.ca
Saturday, March 21
Celtic Connections Internationally renowned and celebrated Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain fuses the musical styles of Indian and Celtic traditions with an eclectic ensemble of musicians playing fiddle, bansuri and violin in a stunning blend of tones native to regions worlds apart. 8pm at Chan Centre (UBC). Tickets $36 at ChanCentre.com
All month long
Donnelly Group establishments will be offering shots of Jameson whiskey for $5 and Guinness pints for $6, all month long. With every Jameson shot purchased up until St. Patrick's Day, patrons will be entered to win a trip to Ireland. Ballots will be drawn at the Lamplighter Pub in Gastown on March 17. All participants must be at the Lamplighter in order to remain eligible (located at 92 Water Street). DonnellyGroup.ca
