With Irish roots dating back to the mid-1800s, we take St. Patrick’s Day very seriously in Kansas City. This year, the map to St. Patty’s Day in Kansas City stretches across the metropolitan area, with parades, 5Ks, and other parties leading up to St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
The city’s biggest tradition includes the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which begins at Linwood and Broadway in Midtown and goes along Broadway to 43rd Street in Westport. This year’s parade theme is ’23 in KC: Our Irish Ancestry. If you’ve never been to the annual parade, expect to see plenty of leprechauns in tow with the marching bands and elaborate floats that nod to Irish heritage. The 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. on March 17.
If you can’t make it to the St. Patrick’s parade in Kansas City, don’t fret! There are plenty of other opportunities for parade fun around the metro. The Downtown Overland Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade is on March 11. The parade route begins at 79th Street and Floyd and heads west on 79th Street to Santa Fe Drive. It will then head south on Santa Fe Drive and conclude at Robinson Street.
Meanwhile, the Emerald Isle Parade kicks off on March 11 in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Complete with floats, Irish dancers, bagpipers, and more, the morning begins with the Gold Coin Hunt for the little lads and lasses before the parade starts. Stick around after the parade for a pub crawl organized by downtown bars and restaurants.
Your last chance to catch an early St. Patrick’s Day parade is at the 41st Annual Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade is on March 11, and features over 100 organizations and businesses from across the city. The parade starts at 65th and Wornall, heads north on Wornall to 63rd Street, east on 63rd to Main Street, south on Main Street to Meyer Boulevard, and west on Meyer to Brookside Boulevard. This year’s theme is Chasing Rainbows.
If parades aren’t your thing, that’s okay! The Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run on March 11, is another KC tradition. Teams of four can run the four-mile route, kids 12 and under can do the fun run, and anyone can sign up for a one-mile walk. Or wait for KC Running Company’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk on March 18 at Leawood’s Park Place. If biking is more in your wheelhouse, you’ll want to sign up for Trek Bicycle Shawnee’s The Reuben Ride on March 18. Plan for a 25-30 mile ride that ends with a tasty Reuben sandwich.
For something less active, head to Lenexa’s Broad & Brush for a St. Patrick’s Make and Take on March 12 where you can choose from a dozen crafts to make and take home for $19—simply register at boardandbrush.com/lenexa to participate. Meanwhile, Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery is hosting a St. Paddy’s Leprechaun Hunt on March 17, where you can search for treasures such as wine, gift cards, and special deals.
Or is drinking more your St. Patrick’s Day tradition? Sign up for the Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Crawl on March 17-18. The crawl runs from 4-10 p.m. on both days, and locations include Border Brewing Company, Double Shift Brewing Company, Doubletap KC, John’s Big Deck, KC Daiquiri Shop, and KC Wineworks. Tickets start at $9. Or try Lotawana’s Lota-Luck Pub Crawl on March 17. For $20 you’ll get special deals and free sips at Captain’s Sports Lounge, Tipsy Taco, Canoe Club, Team Cocktail, Station 7, and Shakin.
Plus, there are plenty of local restaurants and breweries offering St. Patrick’s Day specials and parties on March 17. Tap the links to find out what there is to do, eat, and drink at O’Dowd’s, Chicken N Pickle, Up-Down Kansas City, Red Crow Brewing Company, East Forty Brewing, McFadden’s Sports Saloon, Gaels Public House & Sports, and Pizza Bar KC.