See also: The five best places to hear traditional Irish music every week in Colorado Photo slideshow - St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013
Thursday, March 13Céad Míle Fáilte Night at Molly Brown House Museum ($16) Kick off the Celtic holiday with a visit to the Molly Brown House Museum to learn about Molly's Irish heritage. The Titanic-famous Denverite's home will be filled with food, music and stories about her family traditions.
Saturday, March 15
St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning at 19th and Wynkoop streets (Free) Join the rest of Denver for the biggest St. Patrick's Day parade this side of the Mississippi, which saw more than 300,000 revelers last year. Bring a lawn chair and park it downtown for the best view of this Irish cultural celebration, filled iwth festive live music, dancing and even a local celebrity sighting or two. This year's theme is "Sweet Home Colorado," celebrating all who call the state home -- green or not. Check the website for times and parade route.
ShamRocks at Curtis Doubletree ($45-$55) This post-parade afternoon bash offers music, fun and more in the hotel's ballroom. Enjoy all-you-can-drink and all-you-can-eat chicken wings and fries specials as DJ Rockstar Aaron, the Dirty Femmes and Rob Drabkin entertain the giant party. Irish eyes will be smiling when the Highland Dancers are joined by live bagpipes and a drum line.
Paddy's on Pearl at Old South Pearl Street (Free) Kids and adults are invited to celebrate the holiday beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a heaping helping of Lucky Charms and green milk on Old South Pearl Street. Irish dancers and bands will then rotate throughout the day, entertaining crowds as the big block party opens up and beer and food vendors take over the streets. Sixth Annual St. Paddy's Denver Pub Crawl beginning at Sobo 151 ($10-$20) What's a drinking holiday without a pub crawl? For this annual event, join up with strangers and take a bar-hopping tour of one of Denver's most popular streets, all while raising money for charity. With admission starting at $10, you can join in the fun and help make a difference for First Descents, a non-profit that organizes outdoor adventures for young adults fighting and surviving cancer.St. Patrick's Day with Fado Irish Pub (free to $20, Saturday and Monday) One of Denver's biggest and best St. Patrick's Day bashes, Fado Irish Pub throws down with a huge outdoor party featuring live music, food and of course, beer on both Saturday and Monday. The event is all-ages until 5 p.m.; check the website for more details on pricing.
Bikes & Beers 2 at The British Bulldog (Free) A pub crawl on bicycles, this second annual downtown Denver gathering is organized by the Denver Coed Soccer League. Ride on down and join up with fellow cycle enthusiasts for a day of Irish fun, beginning at the British Bulldog and taking off from there.
Luck of the Irish Dance Party at the Doubletree in Aurora ($15) This adults-only party invites well-dressed singles and couples to dance the night away. The event begins with dance lessons on the Irish waltz at 6:30 p.m., followed by an evening of soft rock, pop, country and some traditional Irish music provided by a DJ on a bumping soundsystem. LoHi Irish Festival at Churchill's Public House (Free to $10) This family-friendly and dog-friendly event is a first for Churchill's, which will host a day of block-party fun in the sun set to Irish music. Relax in the beer garden or get your dance on to the live sounds of Potcheen, the Denver and District Pipe Band, Rumours Follow and more on the mainstage. Face-painting and other fun activities for kids will run throughout this fundraiser for the Morgridge Academy at National Jewish Health.Irish Festival at Skylite Station ($5) This new community gathering place invites you to get your Irish on at an evening of music, performance and great drink specials. The Celtic Friends Choir and Heritage Irish dancers kick off the fun, followed by short theatrical performances from Visionbox and live Celtic music from Kevin Labbe.
Sunday, March 16
Ancient Threads: A Celtic Tapestry at Newman Center for the Performing Arts ($22-$44) A massive Celtic concert led by the Denver Brass Band, this show celebrates Irish culture from a musical perspective. Instrument and dance groups like Celtic Colorado Pipes & Drums, Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers and Wick School of Irish Dance will join in a performance of traditional song and movement.
Monday, March 17
St. Patty's Day Irish Dancers at Children's Museum of Denver (Free to $9) Spring into the week with this all-day, kids-oriented St. Patrick's Day celebration at the Children's Museum of Denver. The Bennett School of Irish Dance will perform traditional dances throughout the day, which are included in general admission. Dress up in your finest green and get your toes tapping!
