Whether you’re Irish, pretend-Irish, or just a fan of beer with every meal, we have ideas for you! Here are some great St. Patrick’s Day events, festivals, concerts, and bar crawls in Reston, Northern Virginia, and DC.
Photo credit: Wavebreak Media
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016
Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade
12:30pm: King Street, Old Town Alexandria
Northern Viriginia’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off with a parade in Alexandria, featuring musicians, community groups, and other entertainment. The fun begins with a car show at 9am and a dog show at 10:30am. FREE.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016
Lucky Leprechaun 5K
8:30am: Reston Town Center, Reston
Dress in your best leprechaun shorts and race around Reston Town Center. There will be a free short kids fun run at 9:30 a.m. Registration available online.
Bulldog Kissing Booth
10am-4pm: PetMAC, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
On the Rebound Bulldog Rescue Foundation will be bringing their very popular BULLDOG Kissing Booth, staffed with lovable bulldogs decked out in their St. Paddy’s Day finest, to give kisses for dollars! All money raised will support Bulldog Rescue.
National ShamrockFest
3-11pm: RFK Stadium Festival Grounds, Washington DC
This music and beer festival claims to be America’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Thousands of revelers will enjoy five stages and 30 live bands and DJs, performing Celtic and Alternative rock. Bands include the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Vanilla Ice, Street Dogs, Scythian, Go Go Gadget, the Fighting Jamesons, and many more. There will also be Irish dancing, party games, contests, and of course lots of beer. Admission is $29.99, or $74.99 for VIP tickets.
DC Leprecrawl
All day starting at noon at Penn Social, 801 E St NW, Washington DC
A $25 ticket grants admission to several DC bars, as well discounted drinks and food. Participating bars include Penn Social, RFD, Iron Horse, Austin Grill, Rocket Bar, and Jackpot.
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2016
St. Patrick’s Day Scramble
9am: Reston National Golf Course, Reston
This golf event includes 18 holes with cart, warm-up and range, complimentary lunch, two drink tickets, and prizes. Registration is $40-$75.
St. Patrick’s Parade of Washington, D.C.
12:00pm, Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W.
DC’s 45th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will feature floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, bag pipers, and other entertainment.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Irish food and drink specials all day. 4-8pm: Live music by Mark Scott. 8:30pm-12:30am: Live music by Sam Gunderson.
Clyde’s of Reston
Reston Town Center
Clyde’s is serving Irish food and offering drink specials throughout the day, and a St. Patrick’s Day party will take place in the evening, with a DJ starting at 10pm.
PJ Mulligan’s
2310 Woodland Crossing Dr, Herndon
This Irish pub will open at 9am for Kegs & Eggs. Lunch and dinner menu starts at 11am and goes until midnight. They’ll have giveaways and drink specials all day. Bobby Flynn will perform. [see our article about PJ Mulligans]
Ned Devine’s
2465 Centreville Road, Herndon
This Irish bar will have live acoustic musicians from noon-9pm. Irish dancers will perform at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Live band My Hero Zero will perform at 9pm. Traditional Irish food, Guinness, and green beer will be available all day.
The Old Brogue
760C Walker Road, Great Falls
This Irish restaurant is presenting a series of concerts throughout the day, with authentic Irish music performed with lunch or dinner. Reservations are required. They also offer a St. Patrick’s Day Pub Bash, with takes place all day starting at 10am, with live entertainment and Irish beer. First come, first served.
Ireland’s Four Provinces
105 W. Broad Street, Falls Church
The 4Ps will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with all-day food and drink specials, along with live music and Irish dancers.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016
The Shamrock Crawl
1-9pm: Arlington, VA
A $20-25 ticket grants admission several of Arlington’s best bars, as well as a refillable signature Shamrock mug, party favors, raffle entry for great prizes, and free pictures of the event. Participating bars include the Clarendon Ballroom, the Clarendon Grill, Whitlow’s, IOTA, Spider Kelly’s, and lots more.
Be safe out there, everyone! Please bring a designated driver, or hire one:
Reston Taxi: 703-745-2823
Herndon Taxicab: 703-856-5470
Reston/Herndon Yellow Cab: 703-260-1150
Or sign up with Uber.
Related stories:
Reston Area Events in March 2016
P.J. Mulligans Brings Some of the DC Area’s Greatest Irish Hospitality to Herndon
Virginia is for Lovers… of Craft Beer!
Experience Inventive Food and Beer Pairings at Barrel & Bushel in Tyson’s Corner
Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery Celebrates Fall With Crisp, Dry Hard Apple Cider