Don your green and discover dozens of kid-friendly ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in our round-up of St. Paddy's Day recipes, San Diego events, Irish traditions, leprechaun traps and other festive family fun!
ST. PATRICK'S DAY CRAFTS & LEPRECHAUN TRAPS
Create cute Lucky Leprechauns the kids can give to their friends.
Shamrock Shenanigans
ST. PATRICK'S DAY RECIPES
Indulge in an Irish feast or festive treats!
Apple Smoothie Bowls -- They're not Irish, but they make a healthy green lunch!
An Irish Feast from the Kids' Kitchen, including Irish Stew, Soda Bread and Apple Crisp
Strawberry Rhubarb Cookie Bars
TRADITIONS
Celebrate wearin' o' the green this St. Patrick's Day with these traditions and activities:
10 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
A Fun Look at Some Irish Legends
5 St. Patrick's Day Traditions to start with your kids
Visit our St. Patrick's Day Pinterest board for more ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVENTS 2023
saturday | 11
Leprechaun Run 5K & Kids 1K. Run through the streets of downtown Pacific Beach, finish under the rainbow and enjoy your drink to start your St. Patrick’s Day party. 5K, 9 am; 1K, 10:30 am. $25–$45. www.sandiegorunningco.com/sdrc_events/san-diego-leprechaun-run/
FREE St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival. Parade, 10:30 am at Fifth & Laurel St. Live entertainment, food, crafts, Kids Zone and more following the parade at Sixth & Maple, Balboa Park. 9 am–6 pm. www.stpatsparade.org.
sunday | 12
Lost Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt. There’s a lost leprechaun and Ms. Smarty-Plants needs you to help find the gold coins that will lead to her leprechaun pal. Mar. 12–19. 9 am–4 pm. Free with admission. $7–$11; 2 & under free. The Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. W., El Cajon. www.thegarden.org
FREE House of Ireland Lawn Program. Live music, dancing and other Irish traditions take the stage while Irish stew and other tasty treats are served at the cottage. 11 am–4 pm. Balboa Park. www.houseofireland.org
thursday | 16
St. Patrick’s Day Teas. A green-themed version of the four-course Cottage Classic Tea. Through Mar. 20. 11:30 am, 1 & 2:30 pm. $12.95–$36.95. Reservations required. Julian Tea & Cottage Arts, 2124 Third St., Julian. www.juliantea.com
friday | 17
FREE St. Patrick’s Day at Seaport Village. Jam out to some Irish tunes before heading over to the pond to snap a selfie in the shamrock light tunnels… if you’re lucky, you might even see a leprechaun! 3–7 pm. 849 Harbor Dr. www.seaportvillage.com
saturday | 18
St. Patrick's Day Science. Get ready for Saint Patrick’s Day by experimenting with Irish foods and folklore. 9–10:30 am & 11 am–12:30 pm. $13–$15. Fleet Science Center, Balboa Park. www.fleetscience.org
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Find more activities and events in the March issue and our online calendar.
Updated: February 2023
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