Skip to content

Top St. Patrick’s Day Events Around Alberta

Girls wearing green bows in their hair for St Patrick's Day

Are you ready to get your green on? There are lots of events this weekend to celebrate the saint that banished snakes out of Ireland and we’re here for it.

Here’s a bit of what’s happening around Alberta that you can do with the family in tow!

Calgary

Irish Cultural Society

The Irish Cultural Society is hosting a family-friendly event at Bunratty Hall and Hickey’s Pub on March 17th (same building, two floors of fun!). A Certain Flair Catering will be serving up Irish fare while several Irish dance schools, fiddlers, and local Irish performers take to the stage.

Admission is $5/youth, $10/adult and $20/family.

Calgary Zoo

The family friendly Sunday Safari Brunch will have a St Patrick’s Day theme for the day. Located in Safari Lodge in the heart of Destination Africa this is a delicious add-on to a trip to the zoo!

Edmonton

St Albert Ice Skating

Head to Kinex Arena in St Albert between 1:45-3:15pm for free ice skating. Don’t forget to wear green!

Winspear Centre

The University of Alberta Department of Music presents The Old Sod at 3pm at the Winspear Centre featuring the UofA Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble with special guests the Celtic Ceilidh Dance Academy.

Admission is $20/adult and $10/student. Free Babes in Arms tickets are available at the box office in the hour before the concert. All children occupying seats require paid tickets.

Rocky Mountains

Banff

St. James Gate

One of my all time favourite places to go when in Banff for a pint of the good stuff. St. James Gate is  a natural place to go on March 17th on account it’s an actual Irish pub. They have specials going all weekend!

Kids are usually allowed for lunch, but best to check ahead to make sure you can have a sneaky one while they eat fries.

Jasper

Fairmont PJ Party

This 18+ event is for the ladies only! Enjoy some me-time with your besties at Jasper Park Lodge’s PJ Party. Food, accommodations, Saturday evening live music & dancing, classes, demos and more are included.

Southern Alberta

Lethbridge

Carmangay’s Annual St. Patrick’s Parade

The tiny town of Carmangay (population ~250) is about 60km north of Lethbridge. They invite you to join them for the World’s Smallest St Patrick’s Parade at 11am with festivities (including stew lunch and green beer) at the community center after.

Lunch cost are $10/adult and $5/child.

Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden

Enjoy Irish stories under the Kamakura Projection Dome, celtic music, and Japanese whisky at the gardens’ St Patrick’s Day celebration between 5:30pm and 8pm.

Admission varies depending on events you intend to attend. Wander West Celtic Band in the Bunka Centre on Friday is free to attend.

Central Alberta

Red Deer

Polar Glow

The final Polar Glow of the season has a St Patty’s theme with free kids’ hot chocolate from 3-5pm, and live music going from 3-8pm.

St Patrick’s Day in Capstone

Free, family friendly festivities including a leprechaun themed photo booth, grab bags for the kids, and free hot chocolate are happening at Canada 150 Square from 10am to 4pm.

Northern Alberta

Fort McMurray

Kid Create (6-8 year olds) at the Library

Register ahead to take part in the 2-3pm St Patrick’s Day Kid Create event at WBRL on Mac Island.

Peace River

Pancake Breakfast

Weberville Revitalization Society is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Weberville Hall from 9am to noon.

The menu includes pancakes, strawberries & whipped cream, scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, and hashbrowns.

Meals cost $15/adult, $10/4-10yr olds, and free for 3 and unders.

Grande Prairie

Trapped: St. Patrick’s Day!

If everyone in the group is wearing green you get to play the Pot of Gold mini game for the chance to win prizes like extra time, hints, candy, and more!

St Patty’s Day is a Sunday, which means one minor gets in FREE for each paying adult.

Host Your Own at Home

Don’t see something local, or don’t like crowds (I feel you!)? Why not host something at home? Some ideas:

  • Blueberry pancakes – for once you can over-mix them and turn them green on purpose!
  • Gold hunt – hide chocolate gold coins around the house or yard
  • DIY green beer – add a few drops of green food colouring to a light beer. Unfortunately this doesn’t work well with Guinness!
  • Dress up – from a basic green shirt to a Irish flag cape and green tutu, there are so many possibilities to embrace the spirit of St Paddy’s Day!

Looking for More?

Spring is in the air! If you’re like me that means allergies and a desperate desire to get out of the house. Here are a few ideas to spend time with the family this spring:

Can you make this article better?

We’re always looking to improve! Have you noticed a spelling or information error, know of something we left out, or would like to share anything else, reach out to us!

Tags: