3 Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

It’s that time of year again — when shamrocks are everywhere and we fear the dreaded pinching should we forget to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. If you are looking for fun and safe ways to spend your holiday this year, check out these family-friendly celebration ideas.

If you will be in the Los Angeles area this month, head to one of the city’s library’s for St. Patrick’s Day kid crafting events. These fun activities will let your little ones make fun, themed crafts like pots of gold to get in the holiday spirit.

Practically every large city celebrates the day with a parade and not many do it with as much flair as Chicago. This year, on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, see the Chicago River dyed green for the day.

The city also hosts the all-day St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center, where the whole family can enjoy Irish dancing, music and food for just $15 a piece (children 12 and under are free). The event starts at 1 p.m. and runs all day until midnight March 14.

Should you find yourself in Boston this year, the family is in for a real treat — the city has a rich Irish heritage and takes its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations seriously. There are several parades throughout the city scheduled for March 15, where the family can have a ball dressing from head to toe in green to watch the festivities.

For more family-friendly fun in Bean Town, head to the Boston Children’s Museum March 15 to learn about the history of Irish immigration to America and the culture of Irish Americans living in the Boston area. The program will consist of artwork, live performances and arts and crafts. Admission to the museum is $18.

The city’s Franklin Park Zoo

also gets in on the St. Paddy’s Day fun March 14 with fun activities throughout the zoo, like themed crafts at the arts and crafts table for kids. The animals at the zoo even celebrate the holiday and get the green treatment with green treats like broccoli and green decorations for their habitats.

Wherever you and your family find yourselves this St. Patrick’s Day, you are sure to find plenty of Irish pride (or at least plenty of people who are Irish for the day!) and holiday fun, so put on your green and have fun!

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, please check to see that the above events are still occurring or look for their new scheduled times and dates.