For St. Patrick's Day, San Francisco's Irish spirit turns the city clover green. The highlight is San Francisco’s St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, which is the biggest Irish bash west of the Mississippi. Since March is Irish-American Heritage Month nationwide and since the Bay Area has an estimated one million people of Irish heritage, there's also Irish hoopla before and after March 17, 2012. And bars turn the holiday into a reason for block parties; on Friday, March 16, they include ones at Aventine and The Royal Exchange in the Financial District, and on Saturday at O’Reilly’s in North Beach ($10 admission) and at The Irish Bank near Kearny and Bush streets.
Crossroads Irish-American Festival
March 3-April 7
Soak up some Irish-American history, arts and culture through author talks and readings, fiddle concerts, storytelling, dance performances and an exhibit of work by Irish contemporary artist Patrick Graham. The Irish-American festival events include:
- March 14: The History of the Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista Café.
- March 22: Poetry reading by three local Irish-American poets.
- March 31: Oral Histories of the Irish in SF
- April 6, 7: Yours and Mine, a dance by Irish-American choreographer Macklin Kowal that was inspired by Patrick Graham's artwork. At various venues. Most events are free. See the Irish-American festival website for details and other events.
St. Paddy's NightLife
March 15, at 6-10 pm
The California Academy's Thursday night science-social mixer goes Irish with Irish step-dancing by the United Irish Cultural Center, Irish beer and cocktails, and a tell-all talk about four-leaf clovers.
At California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park. Tickets $10, 12.
Fresh Eire Festival
March 15-17 and 22, at 9 pm
Concerts by Irish musicians including singer-songwriter Eoin Harrington and traditional Irish band Dervish.
At Brick & Mortar, 1710 Mission St., San Francisco. All ages. Tickets $15, 20.
St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl San Francisco
March 16 at 5 pm-2 am; March 17 & 18 at 12 pm-2 am
On any or all of the three days, crawl among a dozen bars on Union Street and in the Marina for drink specials.
Check in at Bar None, 1980 Union St., San Francisco. Ages 21+. Tickets for one day $10, 20; three-day pass $30.
St. Patrick's Day Festival
March 17, at 10 am-5 pm
Before, during and after the grand parade, Civic Center Plaza is a hub of Irish culture, offering corned beef sandwiches, Irish bands and dancers, kids’ activities (petting zoo, pony rides, etc.), and booths with arts and crafts and community and cultural information.
At Civic Center Plaza & adjoining streets. Free.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 17, at 11:30 am
Awash in green, marching bands, floats, Irish dance troupes and local politicians and dignitaries start at Second and Market streets and stroll up Market to City Hall. The parade is in its 161st year in 2012. Check the parade route map to stake out your viewing spot.
Culann’s Hounds
March 17, at 9 pm
The San Francisco Irish rock-folk group, which uses fiddle, guitar, vocals and whistles, has a contagious high energy.
At Slim’s, 333 11th St., San Francisco. All ages. Tickets $20.
Greenfest Block Party
March 18, at 11 am-4 pm
San Francisco's United Irish Cultural Center has 45th Avenue closed to traffic for its street party, which includes Irish music, dancing and lots of activities for kids.
At the United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Avenue (at Sloat Blvd). Free.
