Here are 15 things to do in Calgary on St. Patrick’s Day 2018

St. Patrick's Day celebrators / Shutterstock

Is that time of the year again, when we get to see leprechauns, drink buckets of green beer, and do numerous shots of Jameson while trying to reach that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

On Saturday, March 17, Calgary will be invaded by creatures dressed in green. Don’t be afraid, though, this is not a remake of Mars Attack, is just the 2018 celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day.

The festivities will include authentic Irish dinners, traditional Irish music, live performances, and parties that will make our friends from across the Atlantic proud.

Kings Head Pub & Eatery St. Patrick’s Night

What: Get your friends together and enjoy St. Paddy’s Day at the pub, drinking $5 Jameson and Jägermeister shots or green beer, while tasting their $10 Irish stew, and playing games to win prizes. There will be onstage live entertainment from Jiggity James, Ryedell, and The Stiffs. The doors will be open at noon, but the live music performances start at 4 pm, going straight into the night until 2 am.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: Noon to 2 am
Where: King’s Head Pub & Eatery – 9116 Macloed Trail S, Calgary
Admission: Free cover – Reservations are highly recommended

St. Patrick’s Day at the Calgary Farmers’ Market

What: Start the St. Paddy’s celebrations early and bring the family to the market! Enjoy live onstage entertainment by the Celtic Folktales, Ian Gott Irish Dance Academy, and the Bow Valley Fiddlers. The performances will start at 11 am, finishing at 2 pm. If you guess how many coins they used to fill the pot of gold, you could win $100 in market bucks.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market – 510 77th Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free!

St. Patrick’s Day party with the Calgary Roughnecks

Image: Calgary Roughnecks / Twitter

What: Come for the party and stay for the lacrosse game between the Calgary Roughnecks and Rochester Knighthawks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The game starts only at 7 pm, but if you arrive early between 5 to 5:30 pm, your ticket includes a burger or a slice of pizza and a beverage. There will be pub games, live entertainment, and happy hour specials from 5:30 to 7 pm. After the game, you can meet the Roughneck players and get their autographs.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 5:30 to 9 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, from $22 plus GST

St. Patrick’s day Shamrock Shaker Pub Crawl

What: This will be one for the books, guaranteed! This is a mobile party, because why party at just one place if you can bring the party to multiple venues? Buying one ticket gives you VIP admission (no line and no cover) at four different parties, and bus transportation from one pub to another. Enjoy tons of swag and drinks specials. Getting the whole crew together is worth the trouble – if you buy five tickets, the sixth one is free. Registration starts at 5:30 pm in three different starting locations and the buses depart at 6:45 pm from all three locations.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 5:30 pm to 2 am
Where: Hudsons Crowfoot – 838 Crowfoot Crescent NW, Calgary; Hudsons Downtown – 1201 5 St SW, Calgary; Hudsons Shawnessy – 16061 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, from $20

St. Patrick’s Day Brewery Tours – Big Rock Brewery

Big Rock Brewery

What: Start your St. Paddy’s Day celebrations by getting some beer knowledge with a brewery tour before getting completely hammered. After the tour – that goes from 12:30 to 2:30 pm – you will be able to fill a growler with a barrel aged porter. Plus you’ll enjoy employee pricing on all store items.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Big Rock Brewery – 5555 76 Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $25

Irish Immersion

What: Kick off your St. Paddy’s Day one night before the big event, and explore the taste of different Irish whiskeys and Irish brews. Learn everything about the country’s amazing fermented offerings, and show off your recently acquired whiskey-knowledge to your friends the very next day.
When: Friday, March 16
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Co-op Wine Spirits Beer – 39 Crowfoot Way NW, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $45

Shamrocks & Shenanigans

What: Get your green on and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Heritage Park, enjoying a food menu created specifically for the event. Drink different brews from Big Rock Brewery and dance the night away with the live Celtic music provided by the band Cabot’s Crossing. Tickets include food, a flight of beer, one drink ticket, and live music.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 6 to 11 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village – 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $64.95

Shamrock ‘n’ Roll

What: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the St. Patrick Island, and show off your “Shamrocking-moves in this family-friendly event. The hits will be played by BassBus’ Rockstar DJ and the EAST Crew will be giving away green accessories, so don’t worry if you forget your green attire. Enjoy a DIY hot chocolate station with special St. Paddy’s Day themed toppings, giant games, and curling.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: Noon to 3 pm
Where: Confluence Plaza – St. Patrick’s Island, 12 Street NE, Calgary
Admission: Free!

St. Paddy’s at Our Daily Brett

A post shared by OUR DAILY BRETT (@ourdailybrett) on Jan 6, 2018 at 1:33pm PST

What: Join Our Daily Brett this Saturday to enjoy a five course Irish inspired meal and five course beer menu provided by local brewery, Annex Ales. Limited tickets available.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Our Daily Brett – 2509 14th Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $70

St. Patrick’s Day at the Ship & Anchor

What:Spend the day listening to live music by the Nova Scotiables, Fire Next Time, Shillelaghs, and more, while munching on delicious Irish food and drinking green beer. Doors open at 10 am!
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 10 am to 2 am
Where: Ship & Anchor Pub – 534 17th Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free!

St. Paddy’s Day at the Irish Cultural Centre

What: Want to participate in a true family-friendly Irish celebration? Don’t miss out the St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Cultural Society where you and your family will enjoy a full day of Celtic music, Irish dancers, and Canadian food. Tickets available at the door only.
When: March 17
Time: 4:30 pm to midnight
Where: The Pint – 1428 17th Avenue SW
Tickets: Available at the door, $5 Members, $10 Non-members

Calgary Trek for Tourette

What: Start your St. Patrick’s celebrations with a good deed and feel better about all drinking you will be doing. The Trek for Tourette is a family-friendly 5 km walk designated to raise funds for Canadian programs to treat the disease. The theme this year is Peter Pan. Show up in your costumes and receive an extra ticket for chances to win a prize.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 11 am
Where: Riverband Community Association – 19 Rivervalley Dr SE, Calgary
Admission: By donation

Irish Whisky Master Class

Whiskey/Shutterstock

What: Enjoy a master class and get your Irish Whiskey game up. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm taste some of the finest whiskeys from the Emerald Island. The ticket for the master class also gives you VIP entrance to All Things Irish Festival.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Where: Willow Park Wines & Spirits Main Store – 10801 Bonaventure Drive SE
Tickets: Available online, $65

All Things Irish Festival

What: Spend two hours with the folks from Willow Park Wines & Spirits drinking beer and whiskey and enjoying the special creations from their kitchen staff. They will be cooking classic Irish dishes for your appreciation.
When: Saturday, March 17
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Willow Park Wines & Spirits Main Store – 10801 Bonaventure Drive SE
Tickets: Available online, $40

St. Patrick’s Day at James Joyce Irish Pub

What: With the luck of the Irish, you will be able to party as if you were in Ireland at this fun celebration at James Joyce Pub. There will be a full Irish menu, along with a live performance by Fraid Knot and pints of Guinness on special.
When: March 17
Time: 11 am to 1 am
Where: James Joyce – 114 8th Avenue SW
Admission: Free!

15 things to do in Calgary on St. Patrick’s Day 2018

See also