Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at these festive Northern Michigan events in Traverse City, Harbor Springs, Grayling, Lake Leelanau and more.Â
ST. PATRICK’S DAY ON BEAVER ISLAND | March 13–14
Where better to celebrate St. Patrick’s day than in front of the Shamrock on America’s Emerald Isle? Music all weekend with Danny and friends and the Ben Traverse Band. Games start downtown on Saturday the 14th at 1 p.m. Have you tried your hand at the fish toss? Have you seen the games on the news and want to take part in the cart race? Come up and enjoy The Great Day on Beaver Island!
11TH ANNUAL BREW-SKI FESTIVAL | March 14
The 11th Annual Brew-Ski Festival at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs is bringing together snow, craft beers and entertainment, with fun on tap from morning through midnight—and beyond. Hit the slopes, share laughter with friends and join brewery representatives from more than 150 breweries at the sampling bars. Check out lodging packages.
LEGEND OF KNOCKGRAFTON | March 14 2 & 7 p.m.
This charming original ballet is an adaptation of an old Irish legend about Lusmore, a poor hunchback who sells fine baskets in the region of Knockgrafton. Because of his grotesque shape, the townspeople are frightened by his appearance and ridicule him. He is befriended by a young girl named Nancy, who sells flowers in the village. Venture to Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City for the full tale.Â
WINE & WHISKEY | March 14
This St. Patty’s Wine & Whiskey tour is the best of both barrels with an exclusive tasting experience at Traverse City Whiskey Co., Left Foot Charley and Rove Estate. Tours will begin at Traverse City Whiskey’s Stillhouse, where guests will enjoy a tour as well as a flight of the signature whiskey. Hopping on the TC Whiskey shuttle, the tour will continue just a few miles away at Left Foot Charley. Enjoy the excitement of the urban winery with a full tour of the winemaking facility as well as a private tasting in the barrel room. The last stop is Rove Estate. Relax at the highest point on the Leelanau Peninsula with a private tasting expertly paired with locally sourced delicious snacks. Tours will conclude at the TC Whiskey Stillhouse.
LEAPIN’ LEPRECHAUN 5K | March 14
Put on your green race gear and get ready for this annual fun run that meanders throughout downtown Traverse City (starts at 9 a.m. in the Warehouse District). Celebrate your finish and get an early start on your St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the post-race party tent at Workshop Brewing Company.Â
ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE | March 14
Take to the streets of Traverse City with the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Everyone is welcome to take part in this family-friendly event. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. at Kilkenny’s Irish Pub on West Front Street and makes a loop through downtown, finishing up back at Kilkenny’s where a post-parade party will feature music and more revelry.
ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATION AT KILKENNY’S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE | March 14
The Traverse City bar will open at 10:30 a.m., with live music featuring The Wild Sullys, Song of The Lakes, Blue Footed Boobie and Soul Tight (live music starting directly after the TC parade).
BLACKTHORN CELTIC BAND AT AUSABLE ARTISAN VILLAGE | March 15
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day early with Blackthorn at AuSable Artisan Village in Grayling. Named “Best Folk Band” by the Detroit Metro Times, the Detroit-based Celtic band Blackthorn has played throughout the Great Lakes region since 1984. Traditional songs of emigration, sea shanties, lively jigs and reels and ancient airs combine with some of Ireland’s best contemporary songs for a musical experience that captures the history and legend of Ireland and its people.
NORTH BAY CELTIC SOUNDS | March 15
Leelanau Peninsula’s own Celtic band returns to Laurentide Winery in Lake Leelanau for an afternoon of olde selections with some ancient instruments and haunting melodies. Enjoy a glass of wine and cheese selections while listening to the music.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY FUNDRAISER 2020 | March 17
The Inn at Bay Harbor is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with plentiful appetizers, desserts, exciting auction items, a cash bar, a 50/50 drawing and other fun happenings with proceeds supporting Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigans’ programs and services.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PUB WALK | March 17
Don your finery and celebrate the wearin’ o’ the green during Traverse City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Walk. Attendees are encouraged to bring festive decorations and party favors. Click here for the schedule of stops.
MAMMOTH DISTILLING ST. PAT’S COCKTAIL PAIRING DINNER | March 17
Don’t plan on starting St. Patrick’s Day at 7 a.m. in the pub? We don’t blame you. Have some fun later on at Mammoth Distilling’s cocktail pairing dinner in Traverse City. The four-course dinner includes unique cocktails crafted to complement each dish. View the menu.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPECIALS AT BARREL BACK | March 17
The Walloon Lake restaurant will be serving $2 green beer and $5 Guinness all day, plus Guinness stew, corned beef sliders and more Irish dishes.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY BUFFET AT HOTEL FRANKFORT & RESTAURANT | March 17
Enjoy Hotel Frankfort & Restaurant’s Happy St. Patrick’s Day Buffet from 3–8 p.m. The menu features corned beef and root vegetables, cheddar-topped Shepard’s Pie, Guinness beef pie, colcannon, boiled potatoes, braised cabbage, smashed peas, glazed carrots, wild rice stuffed cabbage, beef and stout stew, leek and potato soup, Irish soda bread and much more. For reservations, call (231) 352-8090.
COLORING BETWEEN THE WINES | March 18
Grab a friend and unwind after your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at 123 Speakeasy in Traverse City. You’ll cozy up with some wine (red, white or bubbly) and a good coloring book. 123 Speakeasy will provide the food, drinks, coloring supplies and a frame for your art. You bring your creativity, appetite and humor.
CELTS & KAYAKS | March 21
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is serving up a plethora of St. Patrick’s Day-inspired events this year: dress up in your best St. Patrick’s Day attire and receive $10 off your open-to-close lift ticket, enter your best guess to win a Pot of Gold, find the Leprechaun for good luck and an on-hill photo, join the Kayak on the Snow race, stop by the DJ Dance Party and BBQ, snag some Green Beer in the Vista Lounge, try your luck at the Slush Cup or attend the free Slopeside Concert featuring TYPO—have fun!