St. Patrick’s Day is on Thursday, March 17, but in Denver, our celebrations of all things Irish start this weekend. Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the largest parade west of the Mississippi, and our Irish-themed parties are just as large. We have compiled a list for a variety of Celtic music and dance events to pair with your pints and corned beef and cabbage. We will update the list as needed.
St. Practice Day Bar Crawl
Saturday, March 5
If you're ready to start your party more than a week early, you can join the St. Practice Day Bar Crawl of downtown Denver on Saturday, March 5. Event time is noon to 6 p.m. at twelve different bars in LoDo. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to the charity Denver Catholic Worker House. Games, drink specials and more are included throughout the crawl.
Gobs O’Phun with Chris Daniels at Swallow Hill
Saturday, March 5
A Warm Up to St. Patrick’s Day concert with Irish/Scottish folk band Gobs O’Phun and guest Chris Daniels (from Chris Daniels and the Kings) takes place on Saturday, March 5, at Swallow Hill Music in the Tuft Theatre.
Riverdance at the Buell Theatre
March 8-13
World-famous Celtic music and dance phenomenon Riverdance will take the stage at the Buell Theatre, in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, March 8-13.
Celtic Tales of Love and War, Newman Center
March 11-13
Celtic Tales of Love and War plays March 11-13 at the Denver Newman Center for the Performing Arts, with Celtic Colorado Pipes and Drum, Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, Wick School of Irish Dance, Todd Teske (tenor) and the Hydes (fiddles).
Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 12
The Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on 19th Street and Wynkoop, and bars and restaurants all over the city will host celebrations (some of which are listed below).
The Abbey Tavern St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Saturday, March 12, and Thursday, March 17
The Abbey Tavern will have its St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Saturday, March 12, and on Thursday, March 17. Admission is free, and the schedule as follows (bouncy castle included — for the kids!):
12 p.m.: The Corduroy Tigers
2 p.m.: Colorado Youth Pipe Band
3 p.m.: Nevermind the '90s Band
5 p.m.: Irish Dancing
6 p.m.: Avourneen
Fadó Irish Pub St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Saturday, March 12. and Thursday, March 17
Fadó Irish Pub hosts the largest celebration in Denver with a block party during the parade and on St. Patrick’s Day. Beer gardens and food trucks accompany ten hours of live music, dancers and DJs. Tickets are required for this event: A single-day ticket costs $10; other ticket and drink packages are available. This is a 21-plus event.
Parade Day Lineup, Saturday, March 12
10 a.m.-12 p.m.: DJ Press Play
12-2 p.m.: Clancy’s
2:30-3 p.m.: Celtic Steps Irish Dancers
3:30-5:30 p.m.: That Eighties Band
6-6:30 p.m.: Colorado Youth Pipe Band
7-9 p.m.: Big Paddy
9-11 p.m.: DJ Press Play
St. Patrick’s Day Lineup, Thursday, March 17
2-4 p.m.: Clancy’s
4:30-5 p.m.: Celtic Step Irish Dancers
5:30-7:30 p.m.: Angus Mohr
8-8:30 p.m.: Colorado Youth Pipe Band
9-11 p.m.: Bid Paddy
Irish Snug and the Capitol Hill Hooley
March 11-12 and Thursday, March 17
The 13th Annual Capitol Hill Hooley hosted by the Irish Snug takes place on Friday, March 11, Saturday March 12, and on the big day, Thursday March 17. Full schedule below:
Friday, March 11:
6:30 p.m.: McTaggert School of Irish Dance
7:30 p.m.: Andy Sheldon, Irish Piper
Saturday, March 12:
Irish Stepdancing with the Reed School perform throughout the day
1 p.m.: Ciorcal Caidre Pipe Band
1:30-3 p.m.: Bodha
2:15-2:45 p.m.: Magic Show
3:15-6:45 p.m.: Brian Clancy and Irish Row
7 p.m.: Irish Pensioners Pipe and Drum
7:30 p.m.: Reed School of Irish Dance
8:30-11:30 p.m.: Delilah’s Revenge
Thursday, March 17:
1:30-4:30 p.m.: Wild Mountain Celts
2:30-8:30 p.m.: Irish Stepdancing with the Reed School throughout the day
2 p.m.: Ciorcal Caidre Irish Pipe and Drums
5-8 p.m.: Brian Clancy and Irish Row
8 p.m.: Reed School of Irish Dance
8:30 p.m.: Under a Blood Red Sky
Conor O’Neill’s St. Patrick’s Day
Thursday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations begin at Conor O’Neill’s in Boulder at 8 a.m. Irish food and drink are always on the menu. There will be music and Irish dancers all day.
Thursday, March 17
Channel 93.3 starts the big day at 7 a.m. with its 11th Annual Keggs and Eggs event. AMZY, Saint Motel and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats will be performing. The event is free.
St. Patrick’s Day Party, Boulder Theater
Thursday, March 17
The Boulder Theater is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day party for free. Drinks provided by Boulder Beer and Jameson, with Irish food from Savory Cuisines. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. The Al Capones and Pro-Leisure (with more bands TBA) are the entertainment for the evening. This event is 21-plus.
Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day Event, Mercury Cafe
Thursday, March 17
This "green" event has music, poetry, magic and a panel of environmental-related organizations with organic and locally grown and produced corned beef and cabbage. Some of the performers include Valerie A. Szarek (poetry/Native American Flute), Laurie Dameron (singer-songwriter activist) and Erica Sodos (magician/mentalist). The event begins at 5:45 p.m.
Colcannon, Broomfield Auditorium
Friday, March 18
Colcannon brings its traditional Irish folk music with a contemporary twist to the Broomfield Auditorium on Friday, March 18. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Young Dubliners, Soiled Dove Underground
Friday, March 18
World-famous Celtic-rock band the Young Dubliners play the Soiled Dove Underground at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 18. Local Celtic rockers Potcheen will open the show.
Cherish the Ladies, Lone Tree Arts Center
Saturday, March 19
Cherish the Ladies is an all-female Irish folk band from New York City and takes the stage at the Lone Tree Arts Center at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.
