The Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in Tampa Bay for Families
You don’t have to be Irish to gather up your little leprechauns and celebrate at a sham-ROCKING St. Patrick’s Day event in Tampa Bay! There are several kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on schedule the entire weekend even though St. Patrick’s Day actually falls on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
We’re sharing some of our top picks of events, so let’s dive in ….and be sure to keep checking back as more info and events are announced for this year.
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The Best St. Patrick’s Day Events in Tampa Bay for Families
River O’ Green Fest in Tampa
- Date: Saturday, March 16 from 11 am-6 pm
- Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa
- Cost: Free to attend
This is our favorite St. Patrick’s Day event in Tampa for families and one of the coolest things about this event is watching Hillsborough River is turn green. Don’t worry, it’s eco-friendly! You can also enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, and more family-friendly activities.
NEW this year, the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Day Parade will move from Ybor to downtown Tampa to coincide with River O’Green Fest. You can catch the parade at 5pm.
We recommend getting there early, as parking will fill up quickly. Bring your friends and kids, as this is an event for everyone.
One fun way to view the River O Green is by boat on the Pirate Water Taxi!
St. Patrick’s Family Day at Maloney’s Irish Pub
- Saturday, March 16 from 11 am-11 pm
- Where: Westchase
- Cost: Free
This year it’s a two-day indoor/outdoor event – Family Day on Saturday and some grown up fun on Sunday. They’ll be serving up traditional Irish fare and rockin’ out with live music all day and night – featuring the Black Honkey’s Band!
St. Patrick’s Day Mini Golf Tournament at DK Farms
- When: Saturday, March 16 from 11 am-9 pm
- Where: DK Farms in Dade City
- Tickets: TBD
Play the first ever St. Patrick’s Day Mini Golf Tournament on DK Farms 18 hole mini golf course! The event will take place from 11 am-2 pm and 5 pm-7 pm with free play on the course in between. There will also be special Irish themed food, green kettle corn, and more!
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Armature Works
- When: Saturday, March 16 from 1 pm-5 pm
- Where: Armature Works
- Tickets: FREE admission
Armature Works is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration on the river with live music, green beer from Stone’s Throw, frozen Irish Coffee from Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Pop-Up, Irish dancers, giveaways and MORE! The river will be GREEN as part of the 2024 River O Green Fest, so there will be plenty of photo ops as well.
Rough Riders St Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Tampa (NEW location)
- Date: Saturday, March 16 at 5pm
- Location: Downtown Tampa
- Cost: Free to attend
As we just mentioned, the St. Patrick’s Day has a new home in downtown Tampa which makes perfect sense! This year’s parade is scheduled to start at 5 pm. Right now the parade is scheduled to start at Madison Streat at Joe Chillura Square and then head to Ashley Drive where it will turn north and pass by Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and then turn onto E. Polk Street, ending at Florida Ave. Once we have more details about this year’s event, we’ll update here!
Paddy Fest St. Pete
- Dates: Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17 from 12 pm-9 pm
- Location: Williams Park: 320 2nd. Avenue North, St. Pete
- Cost: Free to attend
Paddy Fest St. Pete is bringing a full two days of festivities to Williams Park! The entertainment lineup includes Dunedin Pipe Band, Drunken Shrubbery, Sean Walsh, Stepdancers, and more. The food trucks will include Pamz Pizza Conez, La Strada Mobile Kitchen, Lucky’s Italian Ice, Mini Mouthful Donuts, Slammer Shop, and Wich Press Food Truck.
There will also be a Kids Zone with bounce houses, mascots Pete the Pelican and Raymond the Ray, Irish face painting, and a real life unicorn to create a magical atmosphere.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival
- When: Saturday, March 16–Sunday, March 17 during park hours
- Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Cost: Included with admission. Food and drinks costs vary.
During this weekend’s Food & Wine Festival, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish cuisine, including Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes and Irish Soda Bread, as well as several varieties of Irish beer, like Smithwick’s Irish Ale and 3D Irish Style Dry Cider, and Irish style hand-crafted cocktails.
Enjoy Celtic music with the Emily Ann Thompson Celtic Duo at the Coca-Cola Canopy Stage on Saturday the 16th and Redemption Road at Springs Tap Room on Sunday the 17th. You might even catch a glimpse of a Leprechaun!
Irish 31
- When: Saturday, March 16-Sunday, March 17
- Where: Multiple Irish 31 locations
- Cost: Free
Irish 31’s annual Paddyfest is back for 2024 with live Irish music, family-friendly fun, and food and drink specials including corned beef and cabbage, pints of Guinness, themed specialty cocktails and other signature Irish fare! Festivities vary by location; check the website for full details.
The Brass Tap’s 16th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Street Party
- When: Saturday, March 16-Sunday, March 17
- Where: The Brass Tap, 2000 Piazza Ave, Wesley Chapel
- Cost: Free
The fun will start at noon and won’t stop until closing! There will be live music from 4 pm-6 pm and again from 7 pm-10 pm at the outdoor stage. There will be deals on Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Jameson, and Tullamore Dew. The event will be 21+ only after 6 pm.
St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival by Flanagan’s Irish Pub
- When: Sunday, March 17 from 11 am-11 pm
- Where: Flanagan’s Irish Pub (Dunedin)
- Tickets: FREE
Join the largest St. Paddy’s Day Festival in Florida and celebrate Flanagan’s 31st anniversary! There will be live music and entertainment, delicious food and cold brews. There will also be arts, crafts, vendors and fun for all ages.
Yacht Starship St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Cruise
- Date: Sunday, March 17 at 12:30 pm
- Location: Board at 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa
- Cost: Prices start at $44.95 for kids ages 2-12 and $59.95 for adults
Top O’ the morning! Climb aboard the Yacht StarShip in your best green attire to celebrate the luck of the Irish on the water! Enjoy a festive lunch buffet with Irish fixings and DJ entertainment that is sure to keep you moving! Boarding begins at noon and the cruise will set sail from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm.
St. Patrick’s Day at Crooked Thumb Brewery
- When: Sunday, March 17 from 12 pm-10 pm
- Where: Crooked Thumb Brewery
- Tickets: FREE
Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in the beer garden! There will be live music with The Taylor Fletcher Band at 2 pm, Irish food from Westchase BBQ, and an Irish Coffee Stout beer release.