Cue the Celtic music and break out everything you own that’s green; Lehigh Valley has plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! According to Jayne Ann Recker, Executive Director of the Celtic Cultural Alliance, over 30% of Lehigh Valley’s residents have Celtic roots—but everyone is welcome to partake! We've rounded up a few must-see local events, bars fit for all things Irish, and more. It's happening over the course of several days this month so mark your calendars.
☘ Allentown ☘
Pubs in Allentown's West End are hosting a pub crawl to benefit the Allentown St. Patrick's Day parade on March 9. Grab a beer, buy an official parade t-shirt, and support the event's biggest fundraiser of the year. This walking tour of the West End involves the Pubs, food establishments, entertainment and roaming bagpipers. Visit them all: Cuzins Pub & Grille, Ringer's Roost, Volpe's, The Shanty on 19th, Greg's West End Saloon, Maingate, Liberty Street Tavern, Stooge's Bar & Grille, Sleepy Cat Urban Winery.
Raise a glass, raise the flag. March 15 at 11:45 a.m., Allentown city officials will raise the flag of the Republic of Ireland at City Hall Plaza honoring the contributions of persons of Irish descent have made to the Allentown area. The event features bagpipes, Irish Step Dancers, and comment from Mayor Matt Tuerk and members of City Hall.
Then later in the day comes the Coronation Celebration. From 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. the Agricultural Hall Annex at the Allentown Fairgrounds families are welcome for the crowning of the 2024 King & Queen of the 65th St. Patrick's Parade. Live entertainment, bag pipers, step dancers provide genuine Irish flavor leading up to the crowning ceremony. This is a BYOB evening, beer and soda are provided. Food is available for purchase during the event. Tickets are required. Come back March 16 for Irish Cultural Community Day. From 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. a free family-friendly event includes face painting, music, Irish dancers, hurling demonstrations, Celtic games, crafts and an Irish passport to get stamped! A snack and soft drink is included.
On March 17, experience the main event. Attend the official Parade Mass and blessing of the statue of St. Patrick is held at Immaculate Conception Church, in the original Irish 6th ward at 9:15 a.m. The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown will celebrate the Parade Mass. Following mass, set up your chair and prepare for a yearly favorite - the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade. The 2024 St. Patrick's Parade will feature 10 Pipe Bands, 8 Divisions and over 2,000 marchers from organizations, schools, companies and community groups throughout the greater Lehigh Valley Area. Fun fact: The first known St. Patrick's Parade was held in Allentown in the late 1860s.
If you'd rather spend the afternoon getting some exercise, we hear you! Break out your green gear and Irish spirit for the 14th running of the West End St. Patrick's 5k. You'll enjoy a fast, flat, closed course with loads of people out to cheer you on in advance of the annual Allentown St. Patrick's Parade. While the course is perfect for a PR, it's also ideal for friends and family who simply want to come out and have a darn good time. 12:15 p.m. is the start for you late-risers and revelers. Watch from the digital clocks at miles 1 and 2, enjoy a fabulous post-race indoor lunch with cookies, and five-year age group awards and prizes for the best outfits. You must be able to finish the 5k in less than an hour! Anyone slower risks getting trampled by bagpipe bands on 19th Street at 1:00 p.m.- no joke!
☘️ Bethlehem ☘️
The Downtown Bethlehem Association invites you to BETH-LUM Go-Bragh, a Celtic-inspired event with music, entertainment, food, cocktail to-go trails, Irish Elves, and a scavenger hunt. Get downtown from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on March 9 for the cocktail trail. Adults, 21 years of age and older, can pick up St. Patrick’s Day inspired cocktails from various restaurants and merchants but only with a passport. Passport holders will follow the trail throughout the Historic District and enjoy a variety of cocktail tastings. After guests sample their cocktails, they’ll vote for their favorite for a chance to win the Pot o’ Gold! If it's not the beer you're after, you'll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the luck of the Irish throughout the week with the Clever Clover photo contest. Participants are invited to stroll throughout the downtown Historic District, from March 11 through March 17, searching for various items on their Clever Clover Card to win. Find an item, snap a pic, and upload it to the contest page. The winner with the most luck and most uploads will be in the running to win a prize fit for a leprechaun!
Downtown Bethlehem will be awash in green as Celtic Cultural Alliance hosts the 13th Annual Celtic Classic Parade of Shamrocks on Saturday, March 16. The parade steps off at 1:00 p.m., so arrive early for the best viewing spots! The parade will kick-off at 5th Avenue & W. Broad Streets. The parade route will continue east on Broad to Main Street and makes its way south on Main Street, ending under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge. Hear your favorite local high school and middle school bands, community groups, pipe bands, Irish dancers, dancing groups, a kazoo band, local dignitaries, and businesses participate in the parade.
After the parade, many stores and businesses have special activities planned throughout the day along Main Street & Broad Streets. Pubs and restaurants will have Irish themed menus and drink specials.
☘️ Easton ☘️
Join in on some shenanigans during the Easton St. Patrick's Pub Crawl on March 9. Patrons 21 years and older can sign-up to participate for Saturday's event. Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. at Separatist Beer Project. The cost of a ticket is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Pub crawlers get food and drink specials at every stop and chances to win hundreds of dollars in gift cards to local restaurants. Each ticket also grants entrance to the after party sponsored by Rivals Sports Bar & Restaurant where there will be live music and free food for pub crawlers. It's a walking event and will happen rain, snow or shine so wear as many layers of green are necessary to get you from one place to the next comfortably!
☘ Raise a Glass: Local Celebrations ☘
A visit to McCarthy's Red Stag Pub is a must during St. Patrick's Day. From their Best Legs in a Kilt contest to whisky tastings, live music, and so much more, you'll be set for the most authentic experience around. Don't forget to swing into Donegal Square to admire their selection of kilts!
For more St. Patrick's Day happenings, check out our Events Calendar.
