Whether you’re a card-carrying Celtic or just Irish at heart, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day in Columbia with your kids!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebratory Kick-Off Event
It seems like Columbia doesn’t just limit St. Patrick’s Day to a one-day celebration. Before the big festivities, on March 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., is the kick-off event. Irish-themed entertainment, including bagpipers, traditional dancing, face painting, balloon animals and more, will be sure to put you in the shamrock spirit. Children can join other little leprechauns and help dye the fountain green.
Lake Carolina Shamrocks & Shenanigans St. Patrick’s Festival
The Lake Carolina Shamrocks & Shenanigans St. Patrick’s festival will be held at Lake Carolina Market Park in Town Center on Saturday, March 11 from 3 p.m. throughout the evening. Vendors and food trucks will be spaced out over the market streets to shop with offering handmade jewelry, crafts, artisan breads, sweet treats and more to snack on. Enjoy live music with DJ Chico on the Beat. Ms. Clover the Celtic princess from Fairytales & Friends will helping with crafts and storytime. Enjoy dancing, face painting, a petting zoo, parade, and MORE!
St. Patrick’s Day Coin Hunt
Gold Coins will be hidden throughout the children’s area at Richland Library St. Andrew’s Branch for kids to find and bring up to the front for a prize. This event will span over two days, March 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Good luck and happy hunting.
Kid Zone: Celtic Knots
Celebrate the Irish tradition of knot tying on March 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Gaston Branch of Lexington County Library. Children in kindergarten through 5th grade can create art to take home and display.
Get to the Green Family (and Individual) Run
For the more active family, there is the Get to the Green 10K, 5K and Family Fun 1-miler on March 18. Each entry comes with admission to the festival, so it’s a great way to kick off the day if you plan on indulging later. No need to dress like a serious runner, Erin Go Braugh and dress as your favorite leprechaun because cash prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Race start times: 10K at 7:30 a.m., 5K at 7:45 a.m. and Family Fun 1-Miler at 8:00 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Thousands will gather along Devine Street to catch Columbia’s most Irish parade! It starts at Devine Street and Sims Avenue in Shandon, takes a right on Saluda Avenue in Five Points, a right on Greene Street and then a final left on Harden Street and ends at Pendleton Street. Our Grand Marshal kicks off the parade at on March 18 at 10:00 a.m.! Be sure to bust out that kilt, beer hat, Shamrock shirt and pick a spot to celebrate!
Flight Adventure Park’s St. Patrick’s Day Event
Pot O’Gold Playland
After the parade, you can take the family to the Pot O’Gold playland. There will be games, rides, a magic show, face painting, balloon animals, and more. You can visit the playland anytime between 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the 800 block of Harden Street. Before leaving the Pot O’Gold Playland, grab your “Pot O’Gold Pass” to get back into the festival! NEW THIS YEAR – Adults/Guardians can receive a one-time re-entry into the festival, and enjoy the rest of the day’s offerings!
Soda City St. Patrick’s Day Event
Soda City is stopping at the Krafty Draft in Lexington for a St. Patrick’s Day event on March 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will a photo booth, pots of gold, bounce house, and many more!!! We will be open for food and drinks!! Save the date!!!
