Parade, brunch and booze. Here are 11 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines
Get your green on and grab a friend — and depending how you celebrate, get hydrated.
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, and there are plenty of places to grab a beer in Des Moines to celebrate or take the family to an experience all ages can enjoy.
Here are 11 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Des Moines metro.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Des Moines
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Central Iowa will host its annual festive parade starting in the East Village and ending less than a mile away in downtown Des Moines. The parade is a day earlier than usual this year and follows a different route.
When: March 16 at noon
Where: Grand Avenue and Robert D. Ray Drive in the East Village to Eighth Street in Des Moines
St. Patrick’s Day marathon in Des Moines
Challenge yourself to a marathon, half marathon or 5K across Des Moines with the Des Moines St. Paddy’s Race, which celebrates eight years. All participants 21 and up will get treated to a free beer at the race. Register for the race at runsignup.com.
When: March 16 starting as early as 6:45 a.m.
Where: Des Moines. Course maps can be found at iowaruns.com.
The Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Get tickets to bar hop across Des Moines at Hessen Haus, RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro, the Stuffed Olive, Tipsy Crow, Tonic Bar and Voodoo Lounge Des Moines with the Official Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl. Tickets include drinks or shots, access to drink and food specials, waived cover at all venues that require one and more. Purchase tickets in advance online, which start at $25.
When: March 16 at 4 p.m.
Where: Hessen Haus, 101 Fourth St., Des Moines
Mickey’s Irish Pub
It’s back-to-back days of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Mickey’s Irish Pub. Stop by for breakfast and stay for the bagpipe and drum band and live music both days. Grab yourself a green beer and corned beef and cabbage, and bonus, there’s no cover.
When: March 16-17 at 8 a.m.
Where: 50 Southeast Laurel St., Waukee
Exile Brewing Company
Get yourself a St. Patty’s melt, Reuben eggrolls and a stout cake at Exile Brewing Company’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Bonus, try the limited-edition Dry Irish Stout brewed just for the day. Families are welcomed, with plenty of activities for children including cornhole and coloring.
When: March 16 at 9 a.m.
Where: 1514 Walnut St., Des Moines
Confluence Brewing Company
It’s Kegs N’ Eggs time over at Confluence. Get tickets for a brunch and beer experience on St. Patrick’s Day. Tickets are $30 on Confluence's website.
When: March 17 at 9 a.m.
Where: 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines
Big Grove Brewery
Brunch Babes returns to Big Grove Brewery, hosted by drag performer Hazel Sanchez-Belle. Purchase a table for a party of up to four, six or eight and experience the St. Paddy’s Day Brunch Babes Party and bottomless mimosas. Tickets start at $40 online.
When: March 17 at 11 a.m.
Where: 555 17th St., Des Moines
Smash Park
Show off your beer pong skills with a Giant Beer Pong Tournament at Smash Park. Its St. Patrick’s Day party is an all-day event with a $49 open bar you may want to opt for if you plan to party hard.
When: March 16 at 10 a.m.
Where: 6625 Coach Light Drive, West Des Moines
Paws & Pints
Pets can participate in St. Patrick’s Day too at Paws & Pints. Head over for games and drink specials, including $3 domestics and $15 beer buckets.
When: March 17 at noon
Where: 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines
Annie’s Irish Pub
Visit Annie’s Irish Pub for the St. Patty’s Day annual block party. Catch live music all day, including the Des Moines party band The Punching Pandas and groovy act Burnin’ Sensations.
When: March 16 starting at 8 a.m.
Where: 206 Court Ave., Des Moines
Des Moines Public Library
Enjoy hot chocolate and a performance from the Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance at Central Library after the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Des Moines.
When: March 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: St. Patrick's Day parade in Des Moines: When is it, what else to do
