California will host a range of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March, reflecting both its Irish heritage and vibrant beer culture. Events are planned across the state, with many taking place on Saturday, March 16.
In Dublin, a three-day celebration at the Civic Center features Irish music, food, over 200 vendor booths, and a pop-up tea cottage. The event also includes a parade and pancake breakfast on Saturday, followed by a 5K fun run on Sunday.
San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival is held near Balboa Park and is described as “the biggest parade west of the Mississippi.” It includes 120 bands, floats, and acts. Attendees can visit the Irish Festival in the park with stages for dancers and folk singers, as well as a Celtic Food village and beer garden. Later in the day, festivities continue at the ShamRock block party outside The Field pub in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Molly Malone’s in Los Angeles continues its tradition as an Irish bar and music venue in its new Fairfax District location. Around St. Patrick’s Day it offers live bands, Guinness on tap, céilís (traditional dances), and authentic Irish food.
Pleasanton hosts a Brew Crawl where participants can sample craft beers and ciders from more than 25 downtown locations featuring regional breweries like Altamont Beer Works and Lost Coast Brewery.
San Francisco marks its 175th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at City Hall—the oldest such parade in California—with dancing troupes, floats, and marching bands. The United Irish Cultural Center holds an Emerald Gala to celebrate Irish culture near Golden Gate Park.
Benicia offers a Main Street Beer Crawl with stops at local businesses serving both traditional Irish drinks like Guinness alongside California brews such as Bear Republic.
Sacramento’s Old Sacramento district will see its 22nd annual parade featuring Highland dancers, pipe players, and historic re-enactors through the city’s historic waterfront area.
Long Beach hosts The Queen Mary’s Luck of the Irish Celebration aboard the retired ocean liner docked there since 1934. The ship transforms into an Irish pub crawl venue with live music and cuisine; overnight stays are available on board.
Los Angeles’ Casey’s St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival is set for March 17 across four blocks downtown. Starting at 11 a.m., it features over 400 kegs of beer, more than 1,000 bottles of Jameson whiskey, DJ sets throughout the day, traditional food offerings from Casey’s pub—which opens early at 6 a.m.—and free admission until late morning for those arriving early; afterward there is a $20 entry fee for those aged 21 or older.
Murphys in Calaveras County celebrates Murphys Irish Day on March 21 with parades including bagpipes and classic cars plus street fairs that showcase local wines—a nod to its Gold Rush-era founding by two Irish immigrants.
