This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday, so there is time to get out and enjoy the celebration. It might rain during Saturday’s big parade in San Francisco—so, expect larger-than-normal crowds at every Irish pub.

St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in SF
It’s hard to believe that this parade has been going on for 167 years. It is not the West Coast’s largest Irish event celebrating Irish history and culture, and it is hugely popular.

The parade begins at 11:30 AM at Second and Market Street and travels to Civic Center Plaza via McAllister Street.

The Festival runs from 10 AM to 5 PM at Civic Center Plaza featuring traditional Irish crafts and arts, music, food and beverages, children’s activities, and fun community activities. There is no admission cost.

Live Music on the Main Stage
11 AM to 12:30 PM The Crooked Road Ceili Band
1 to 2:30 PM The Irish Newsboys
3 to 4:30 PM The Jerry Hannan Band

More details are available on their website.

The Starry Plough in Berkeley is named after the flag of the Irish revolution, The Starry Plough marks the holiday with daylong events starting at 11 AM Corned beef, cabbage, and Irish soda bread will be served until they run out. Irish dancers will perform from 4 to 7 PM, and the band Driving with Fergus will take the celebration into the wee hours.

The Starry Plough is located at 3101 Shattuck Avenue. Visit their website for details.

The Freight & Salvage
The Freight always has a great St. Patrick’s Day show. This year The Black Brothers will be playing on Saturday at 8 PM. Shay and Michael Black are part of the renowned Irish musical family, The Black Family, and have been performers all their lives. The brothers are now well-established locals, with Michael resident in San Francisco and Shay living in Berkeley. They continue to make good music at home and abroad, and they have just returned from Ireland, where they played sold-out venues

The Freight is located at 2020 Addison Street in Berkeley. Reserve your tickets here.

Dublin, CA
If the city is named after Ireland’s capital, you know they have a decent Irish pub in town. Gallagher’s Dublin Pub, located in the Shamrock Village since 1984, puts up tents to increase capacity for the holiday and will feature platters of corned beef and cabbage plus live bands.

Gallagher’s is located at 7821 Amador Valley Boulevard

McNally’s Irish Pub
And, if you want to stay close to home, Mc Nally’s is a traditional Irish pub right on College Avenue. McNally’s Irish Pub, the first bar in Oakland to open its doors after prohibition ended in 1933 was founded by Bill McNally the day Prohibition ended. It’s a truly local establishment. So, stop in for a pint.

They are located at 5352 College Avenue in Oakland. Visit McNally’s website here.