Click here for 2024 St. Patrick’s Day events, parties and dining.
If winter has been making you feel a bit blue, be sure to grab your best green attire and prepare for green beer, Irish fare and live music while attending one of these parties or events on St. Patrick’s Day in Iowa.
March 16 to March 19: Emmetsburg St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Emmetsburg
Emmetsburg is teeming with rich Irish history, and as the snow begins to melt, the downtown comes alive on St. Patrick’s Day with commemorative feasts, customs and lots of activities for the entire family. More of a weekend-long celebration, St. Patrick’s Day in Emmetsburg begins on Thursday, March 16, at the St. Pat’s Headquarters with an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. complete with Irish coffee and other tasty treats. Then, on St. Patrick’s Day, the downtown will bring on the fun with traditional fish fries, bean bag tournaments, heated beverage tents and live music. From there, on Saturday, Emmetsburg will become home to the St. Pat’s Kids’ Zone, complete with face painting, arts and crafts, photo booths and even a doughnut hole-eating competition. Meanwhile, guests of all ages can be entertained by chainsaw artists, a movie screening, an expansive beer garden and, of course, the famous St. Patrick’s Day parade. Finally, the festive weekend will conclude on Sunday, March 19, with a pancake breakfast held at the local VFW.
For more information: emmetsburgirishgifts.com.
March 17: Exile Brewing Company
There’s no better way to watch the iconic Des Moines St. Patrick’s Day parade than from front-row seats with an ice-cold beer in hand. Beginning at 9 a.m., Exile Brewing Company will open its doors for guests to get fueled up before the big day and even bigger parade, which will pass right out front. With its beloved menu full of finger foods and comfort staples, as well as Irish food specials for the occasion, guests can pair their dishes with Irish Dry Stout, Green Ruthie keg taps or anything off of the full cocktail list, including Irish coffees and loaded Bloody Marys. All day long, Exile Brewing Company will thrill its guests, even the younger ones, with family-friendly activities like corn hole, coloring, temporary tattoos and festive necklaces. Exile Brewing Company will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day.
For more information: exilebrewing.com.
March 17: Mickey’s Irish Pub
Waukee
Put on your most festive outfit and enjoy a matching bright green pint at Mickey’s Irish Pub for the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day in Iowa imaginable. The day will begin bright and early at 7 a.m. with a breakfast buffet full of classic favorites and Irish-inspired options. While enjoying breakfast and maybe a Bloody Mary or two, guests will be wowed by a bagpipe band complete with kilts and all. Then, all afternoon and evening, Mickey’s Irish Pub will host lots of live music accompanied by green beer and traditional corned beef and cabbage. So for a St. Patrick’s Day in Iowa full day of festivities, Mickey’s Irish Pub is your destination for entertainment, brews and bites from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.
For more information: mickeyswaukee.com.
March 17: Uptown Garage Brewing
Ankeny
Uptown Garage Brewing Company delivers a sophisticated taproom experience in a space that has retained the flavor of its history in what was originally an old Ford dealership and garage. This year, Uptown Garage Brewing’s perfect casual environment will be decked out for St. Patrick’s Day with all the green and glory you’re searching for. The green beer will be flowing, and live music will amplify the atmosphere. Plus, six specialty drinks, including the Farmer’s Tan, a Kalona Full Pull pale ale topped with Lake Time Crooked Shillalah dry Irish nitro stout, will keep the St. Paddy’s party going all day long. Or, guests can also anticipate plenty of canned cocktails, wines and over 30 rotating beers and ciders on tap. No matter what you’re drinking, Omar’s Gyro food truck will offer the perfect pairing. Uptown Garage Brewing will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day.
For more information: uptowngaragebrewing.com.
March 17: Jameson’s Irish Pub
Waterloo
You’ll surely be feeling lucky all day long at Jameson’s Irish Pub’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Guests can expect plenty of festive drink specials, live music including Kellen O’Cullon and The Crowfoot Rakes, as well as the best Irish pub foods. From traditional shepherd’s pie to fan-favorite fish and chips, the authentic fare will get everyone in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day in Iowa. Plus, pints of Guinness and Smithwick’s Red Ale can also do the trick. Additionally, in honor of the holiday, Jameson’s Irish Pub will also have a family-friendly photo booth for guests to take some vintage-inspired snapshots in their green attire. Jameson’s Irish Pub will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
For more information: jamesonspublichouse.com.