March 17 marks St. Patrick’s Day, a day to celebrate Irish culture and commemorate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. The day has been observed as a holiday by the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church since the 17 century and is typically celebrated with parades and festivals, céilithe or Irish traditional music sessions, and by wearing shamrocks and the color green.

This year, there are a variety of celebrations and events for the day in Flint & Genesee, from longstanding traditions like getting a boxed lunch from Catholic Charities to hanging out at your favorite local bar.

Find out how you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Flint & Genesee:

St. Patrick's Pub Crawn Fenton

Fenton's annual St. Patricks Day Pub Crawl is back on March 11. The Barn, Corner Bar & Grill, The Fenton Pub, The FirePlace, and Ponemah Lakeside Lounge are teaming up for an epic party. Party bus transportation will be provided between all five bars from 3-8 p.m. Buses will continually rotate between locations. Make sure to check out each stop for live music, games, dancing, drink specials, giveaways, and more. 

St. Patricks Day Craft Show at the Davison Farmers Market

The local year-round farmers market is featuring a St. Patrick's Day Craft Show on March 11 featuring a variety of vendors including the Michigan Bear Cub Collective and Amish Handmade Rugs. Check out the festivities the weekend before St. Patrick's Day.

43rd Annual Pot O' Gold 4 Mile Run and Walk

The annual run in downtown Flint on March 17 is a tradition you won't want to miss. Spend St. Patricks Day with your friends, see historic parts of Flint on a flat fast course, and enjoy a race afterparty with great eats, refreshments, and music. Every finisher gets a medal and the first 200 to register get a free St. Patrick's Day gift. 

Barley & Vine's 3rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration

The local bar in Flint Township will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 17 from 8 a.m.-2 a.m. with authentic full Irish breakfast, lunch, and dinner! The day will also feature festive drinks and, of course, beer, along with live entertainment throughout the day. 

Everybody's Irish Skate

Skate away St. Patrick's Day at Rollhaven Skate & Fun Center on March 17. The day consists of a Lucky Charm Challenge, Shamrock Hunt, Rainbow Scramble, a prize for the person wearing the most greet, and snack bar specials. 

Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K

Head to Sugarbush Golf Club on March 17 for the Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5k supporting Ireland's Dream. Like its Lucky Pumpkin 5k, the first 20 people through the finish line will win a fun prize. Stay after the race for the St. Patrick's Day Party. 

St. Patrick's Day Boxed Lunch Sale

Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties is hosting its annual boxed lunch sale with pre-orders and pick-up on its drive-thru Friday, March 17. All proceeds from the event go to North End Soup Kitchen and Center For Hope Soup Kitchen. 

The StepCrew

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with The StepCrew at the FIM Capitol Theatre. The StepCrew is a new dynamic dance production combining three styles of percussive dance—Irish, Tap, and Ottawa Valley—in a fully realized theatrical setting. This amazing company which includes five virtuoso dancers, five musicians, and one vocalist, is led by Cara Butler and Pilatzke brothers Jon and Nathan. Soloist Cara Butler is best known as The Chieftains’ top Irish dancer for the last two decades, while Jon and Nathan Pilatzke are undoubtedly Canada’s leading and most exciting Ottawa Valley Stepdancers. Accompanied by some of the most virtuosic musicians from the Celtic, traditional, and rock genres, The StepCrew achieves the ultimate balance of respecting traditional forms of dance and creating exciting modern fusions never seen or heard before.

Leprechaun Hunt

Take the kids to For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum on March 18 for a hunt through the grounds as you search for who's been stealing cabbage from the garden. Rain or shine, this fun event will take place to find the leprechaun. 

St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl

Join Sauce Italian American Kitchen and other downtown restaurants for the St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl in Downtown Flint on Friday, March 17. Featured restaurants include 501 Bar & Grill, Churchills Food & Spirits, XOLO Flint, The Torch Bar & Grill, X Bar, Market Tap, Backstone's Smokehouse, The Loft, and Drinks of Essence Bartending School. 

Have a St. Patrick’s day event to add to the list? Submit your event to the Explore Flint & Genesee Events Calendar.