Best time to go to Vancouver

St. Patrick's Day Week 2024

Visit Western Canada's biggest Irish Festival

Dates: March 15–17, 2024

St. Patrick's Day Week
St. Patrick's Day Week
St. Patrick's Day Week
St. Patrick's Day Week
St. Patrick's Day Week
St. Patrick's Day Week

In Vancouver, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated as a national Irish holiday. However, the festivities have long extended beyond the Irish community. Thousands of locals and tourists eagerly immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Ireland's cultural heritage. The city hosts various events and festivals leading up to St. Patrick's Day. Typically, the celebration is not limited to March 17 and lasts for over a week.

Comedy Night

To those who want to start celebrating early, we recommend attending a much-awaited Comedy Night, hosted by Amy Walsh. The event costs $10 and takes place at Donnellan's Irish Pub (on 1082 Granville Street). You'll see Darragh Bourke, Niki Mohrdar, and others performing on the stage. The event starts at 7 pm and runs for another four hours.

St. Patrick’s Day Ceilidh

The next day, on March 15th, be sure to attend The annual St. Patrick’s Day Ceilidh at Hellenic Community Centre. The concert runs from 7 to 11 pm and promises fun entertainment for you and your family. Tickets are usually quickly sold out, so be sure to book yours beforehand.

CelticFest Live Event (March 16, 2024)

CelticFest Vancouver is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Traditionally, the festival lasts about a week and includes various events, such as concerts, street parties, and whisky tastings. However, in 2024, it'll only be one day–March 16th.

All festivities last from 10 am to 10 pm, giving you just enough time to have fun with your family. To join CelticFest Live Event, head to šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (also known as Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza). The organizers have planned a night of Celtic music, dance, and traditional entertainment. This family-friendly event features a marketplace, a kids' zone, and even a bar on the premises. The schedule promises performances by o'Brien Irish Dance School, the Irish Pipes Band, the Whiskeydicks, Dylan Mullen, and others.

"What's the Craic?" Party & Movie Showing (March 16-17, 2024)

As part of CelticFest Vancouver, Clare Voyeur presents a segment of her show "What's the Craic? A Night of Irish Devilry." Organizers promise lots of laughter, live music, and burlesque. The show runs from 8 pm to 11:30 pm on March 16th at the Rio Theatre. Tickets start at $30 and go up to $40 (for at-the-door admission). The next day, on March 17, there is also a movie showing at the very same venue.

St. Patrick's Day 5k (March 16, 2024)

For those leading a healthy lifestyle in Vancouver, attending the St. Patrick's Day 5k Run will be interesting. This is a charity run to fight diabetes. This year, the run will take place on March 16th at Stanley Park Pavilion. The start is at 9:30 am. Everyone is welcome to participate. To join the run, participants need to pre-register. A charitable contribution option is available.

Irish Pubs in Vancouver

Visiting an Irish pub is always great for celebrating St. Patrick's Day. In previous years, The Blarney Stone pub has organized a themed party with live music and entertainment. Among the popular Irish pubs in Vancouver are The Irish Heather, Johnnie Fox's Irish Pub, Donnellan's Irish Pub, and others. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes and have Irish whiskey or beer.

Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin