21 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Philadelphia

Whether you want to spend time with your family, down some Guinness or dress up as a Leprechaun, this city offers St. Patrick’s themed events for everyone. Here is your guide.

by Sienna Vance

Published Mar. 11, 2016, 10:27 a.m. ET

This year, Philadelphia has been ranked the fourth best city to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in by personal finance website Wallet Hub. With a rich Irish heritage and the myriad of pubs and alehouses in and outside of city limits, it is hard to believe that Philly wouldn't be on this list.

Whether you want to spend time with your family, down some Guinness or dress up as a Leprechaun, this city offers St. Patrick's themed events for everyone. Here is your guide.

» READ MORE: Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

JFK Boulevard to the Ben Franklin Pkwy
Sunday, noon to 3pm

Philly's annual St. Patrick's Day parade will honor the patron saint of Ireland through decorated floats, Irish dance troupes, marching bands, Irish associations and other colorful displays of Irish Pride. Feel free to wear your favorite green gear to show your spirit for the holiday.

» READ MORE: Bridget Foy’s

200 South St.
March 13-17

The South Street spot offers food and drink specials all week, featuring items like $15 whiskey tastings, Guinness beef stew and lamb burgers. On Sunday and Thursday, enjoy live music by the Connemara Codfish Company while you dine like the Irish.

» READ MORE: Conshohocken St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Begins at 11th and Fayette St., Conshohocken, Pa.
2-5 p.m., Saturday

Conshohocken's parade is smaller than the Philly version, but still offers a good time. The mile-long parade features bands, live music and festive St. Patty's themed costumes. After the parade, make a stop at one of the many restaurants and pubs located on the parade route. Marchers will parade from Fayette Street to Elm Street.

» READ MORE: Erin Express

421 S 2nd St.
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday

Free pub crawls are hard to come by in the city. That's why hundreds of people love Erin Express, a 30 year old St. Patrick's Day themed tradition started by the owners of Cavanaugh's and Smokey Joe's to celebrate the holiday safely. Ten buses take you from place to place, beginning at Cavanaugh's Headhouse Square and hitting popular spots like Copabanana, Slainte Pub and Grill and Liberty Bar. Specials at each bar include Miller Lite, Jameson and Red Bull. Registration is not required.

» READ MORE: Fadó Irish Pub

1500 Locust St.,
7:30, Satruday, $5 cover after 1 p.m.; 8:00 a.m., Thursday, $10 cover after 2 p.m.

On Saturday, the Irish pub hosts a "St. Practice Day" fest filled with food, drinks, live music. A DJ starts at 11 p.m. but the bar opens at 7:30 a.m. for EPL soccer and 6 Nations rugby. On St. Patrick's Day, indulge in a "Pints and Pancakes" breakfast as early as 8 a.m. to give you fuel for the rest of the celebration. Live music starts at 2 p.m.

» READ MORE: Howl at the Moon

258 S 15th St.
Noon, Saturday & Sunday; 4 p.m., Thursday

The piano bar offers specials on green draft beer, car bombs and 86 ounce 'Get Lucky' buckets before mdnight.

» READ MORE: Irish Pub

2007 Walnut St. & 1123 Walnut St. locations
Saturday, Sunday, Thursday

Both Irish Pub locations celebrate St. Patty's for the 36th year in a row. The bar's "12 days of St. Patrick's Day" feature events such as a whiskey tasting night, live music and a traditional Irish breakfast leading up to March 17th. On St. Patty's Day itself, WMMR's Pierre Robert will broadcast live from Twelfth Street beginning at 10 a.m. Irish food, Bud Light and Murphy's Irish Stout will be on special. If you are a redhead, it's your lucky day—you'll get a free Irish Pub t-shirt that you can sport along with your other leprechaun themed gear.

» READ MORE: JJ Bootlegger’s

35 S. Second St.
For open bar: 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday.

The moonshine themed restaurant hosts a free select Bud Light open bar party on St. Patty's Day. There will be drink specials, $10 unlimited tacos and, of course, free samples of moonshine. RSVP for the open bar.

Begins at Mulberry St., Scranton, Pa.
11:45 a.m., Saturday.

Fans of NBC's The Office get lucky Saturday. Philadelphia native Kate Flannery, who appeared in all nine seasons of the hit TV series, joins Scranton's St. Patrick's Day parade to celebrate her Irish heritage. Cheer on Ms. Flannery -- whose family used to own pub TA Flannery's, now the site of Rogues -- as well as the musicians, Irish dancers and organizations also appearing in the event.

» READ MORE: Leprechaun Lap Bar Crawl and Irish Stroll

Registration at Tavern on Broad and Bierstube
Kick off event: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday; Leprechaun Lap: Noon-2 a.m. starting at Bierstube, Saturday; Irish Stroll, 6 p.m.-2 a.m., Thursday.

Barcrawls.com brings the Leprechaun Lap and the Irish Stroll to Philadelphia. Register for either event at Tavern on Broad (200 S. Broad St.) or Bierstube (206 Market St.) where you will get a wristband, St. Patty's Day swag and a map to start your crawl. Bars participating in the crawl include Loft Bar, Brü Craft and Wurst, Tabu, Fieldhouse and more. Register and view prices.

» READ MORE: The Leprechaun Run

MLK Drive, starting by the Art Museum, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
8 a.m., Saturday.

Rock some shamrocks for a good cause. The 31st annual Leprechaun Run supports the Special Olympics Philadelphia Athletes (SOPA). Whether you choose to do the 5 mile run or 2 mile walk, all of the proceeds go to SOPA who hope to raise $40,000. Runners or walkers can pick up their bibs Friday for the fun run/walk at Philadelphia Runner (1601 Samson St.) between 10 am and 7 p.m. Register on the website.

» READ MORE: Manayunk Shamrock Local

Spanky's Pub, 4630 Umbria St.
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday

Tour some of the best bars in Manayunk and get some lucky specials. The free bar crawl begins at Spanky's Pub and hits popular spots like Murphy's, Castle Roxx and CJ & Ecks. $3 Bud Light drafts will be featured at participating bars. Registration is not required.

» READ MORE: McGillin’s Olde Ale House

310 Drury St.
10 a.m., Thursday

Philly's famous ale house celebrates its biggest day of the year. McGillin's hosts roving bagpipers and a special Irish food and drink menu featuring traditional dishes like Irish lamb stew, Sheppard's Pie and bangers and mash. The bar will open an hour early for the festivities and will serve green beer and authentic Irish stout.

» READ MORE: O’Neal’s Pub

611 S. 3rd St.
9 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday and Thursday

On both Philly's St. Patty's Day parade day (Sunday) and St. Patty's Day itself (Thursday), the pub will host Irish Dance teams as well as Irish Society Pipe and Drums Brigade, which will play music outside of the bar for two half-hour long sessions during the day. The bar will serve multiple whiskeys, Irish food and of course green beer to honor the holiday.

» READ MORE: Paddypalooza 2016

Currans Irish Inn Tacony, 6900 State Rd.
8 p.m.-1 a.m., Saturday

This lively block party will feature Irish vendors and live music from artists Seamus McGroary, Mike Shackleton and Jameson Celtic Rock. There will be plenty of ham, cabbage and drink specials served throughout the day. You must be 21 or older to attend this event. Purchase tickets here.

» READ MORE: Running of the Micks Irish Express

Lolie's Ale House, 459 N. 3rd St.
10 a.m.-9 p.m, Saturday

This bar crawl offers drink specials and entry to McPattysfest, localed at SugarHouse Casino. Bars and clubs participating in the crawl include Club Risqué, Crabby Café, Irish Pol and more. Pick up your wristbands at Lolie's Ale House. Purchase tickets here.

» READ MORE: Shake Shack

Philadelphia Area Locations: King of Prussia (160 N Gulph Rd #233), Center City (2000 Sansom St.) and University City (3200 Chestnut St.)
Monday, March 14-Sunday March 20

Shake Shack offers chocolate mint custard for in honor of St. Patty. Both shakes and dense frozen custard ice cream concretes will be on special.

» READ MORE: Sober St. Patrick’s Day Party

WHYY Public Media Commons, 150 N. 6th St.,
4-6 p.m., Sunday

If you're not a drinker or are just looking for some family friendly fun, Sober St. Patrick's Day party is an alternative to the often-booze filled festivities. After Philly's St. Patty's Day parade, WHYY's Public Media Commons hosts a variety of live music and performers in an alcohol free setting. Entertainers include the Emerald Isle Academy Irish Dancers, award-winning fiddler Dylan Foley and esteemed button accordion player John Whelan.

Bikers can celebrate St. Patty's Day while getting some exercise. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council hosts another holiday themed bike ride along the Spring Garden Greenway—a protected bike lane that offers scenic urban views of the city. The ride will commence at Eakins Oval and end at Yard's Brewing Company where participants will be able to socialize and enjoy the rest of the Irish holiday.

Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave.
1 p.m., Saturday

Laurel Hill allows you to take a tour featuring gravesites of notable Irish tenants while you discover their history. Afterward, sample beer and traditional Irish food in an post-tour reception.

» READ MORE: St. Patrick’s Pub Fest at Crabby’s

1050 North Hancock St.,
Noon to 6 p.m., Saturday.

Get ready for one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day parties of the year at the Piazza at Schmidts. The pub fest, hosted by Crabby's Café and Sports Bar is free — however with VIP tickets you and your friends have access to a two hour open bar.