Birmingham, Alabama, celebrates Irish culture with a vibrant parade, festival, and a few large parties with plenty of Irish food and drinks. Five Points South St. Patrick's Celebration is the city's primary event, which takes place annually for the entire week in mid-March. Five Points South entertainment area, hosting the event, is home to the University of Alabama campus and the center of the city's nightlife.
St. Patrick's Day Parade at Five Points (March 16, 2024)
St. Patrick's Day Parade at Five Points South, which attracts thousands of spectators, is held on Saturday, closest to St. Patrick's Day. Participants line up at the Southern Research Institute parking lot. The colorful procession starts at 1:30 pm, going up 20th Street South. The parade, which is led by the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band, lasts for about an hour.
In addition to the parade, there is an Irish flag raising, the Great Birmingham Irish Toast, the annual Irish dinner, and other events with live music and parties taking place at Five Points South. From 9 am to 11 pm., local bars and restaurants offer Irish-themed food, drinks, and live music.
Families can enjoy their time at the Kids’ Lucky Zone in front of Filter Coffee Parlor from 11 am to 1 pm. The area features fun activities like balloon twisting, caricature drawings, face painting, and mini-animals.
After the parade, spectators can also head to Tower on Tenth Entertainment Stage to hear live music and see Irish dancers. Parking is available in the Five Points parking lot at 2012 Magnolia Ave.
Shamrock Shindig (March 15, 2024)
Other St. Patrick's Day events in Birmingham include the annual Shamrock Shindig at B&A Warehouse, with live music, food, drinks, a photo booth, a grand prize drawings. Guests are encouraged to wear green and try their luck catching a prize in the balloon drop. Birminham Microbrews, like Cahaba Brewing Company and Ghost Train Brewing, offer their own St. Patrick's Day celebrations with plenty of beer, bands, and food. Naturally, Irish pubs, like The Red Shamrock and Innisfree Pub, also offer a special program for the celebration.
