Kansas City Spectacular St Patrick’s Celebration Festivities

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations in Kansas City, with lots of events and activities for every age to enjoy. The festivities kick off with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is a big draw for locals and tourists alike. The parade features floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, and more, and is a fun way to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. Here are some ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kansas City:

Attend the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

This annual parade is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Midwest. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and runs through the streets of downtown Kansas City. The parade features floats, bands, and lots of green-clad participants.

1. Make Sure to get there early: The parade draws large crowds, so arrive early to find parking and secure a good spot along the route.
2. Dress in green (or get pinched): Show your Irish pride by dressing in green! Many people wear green costumes, hats, and accessories for the occasion.
3. Bring the family: The parade is a family-friendly event with plenty of activities for kids, including face painting and balloon artists.
4. Enjoy the floats and marchers: The parade features floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, and more. Find a good spot along the route and enjoy the sights and sounds of the parade.
5. Grab some food and drinks: Many bars and restaurants along the parade route offer St. Patrick’s Day specials, so grab a bite to eat and a drink to celebrate the occasion.
6. Stay for the after-party: After the parade, head to one of the nearby Irish pubs for an after-party. Many of the pubs have live music and festive St. Patrick’s Day decor.
7. Celebrate responsibly: Remember to celebrate responsibly and have a designated driver if you plan to drink.

Visit Kelly’s Westport Inn

Kelly’s Westport Inn is a popular Irish pub that’s been a Kansas City institution for over 70 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, the pub is packed with revelers enjoying live music, Irish food, and plenty of green beer.

1. Arrive early (seems like a theme here): St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year at Kelly’s Westport Inn, so arrive early to secure a spot. The bar opens at 6 a.m., and many people start lining up outside even earlier.
2. Dress in green: Show your Irish pride by wearing green! Whether it’s a green shirt, hat, or even a full-on leprechaun costume, the more green, the better.
3. Enjoy the live music: Kelly’s Westport Inn features live music throughout the day, with a variety of bands and performers playing Irish music and other genres. Don’t miss the popular Irish rock band, The Elders, who usually play a set in the early evening.
4. Try the Irish food: Kelly’s serves up traditional Irish fare on St. Patrick’s Day, including corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips. Be sure to try the Irish whiskey, too!
5. Get a souvenir: Kelly’s Westport Inn usually has special St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts, hats, and other souvenirs for sale. Grab a keepsake to remember your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
6. Take advantage of the outdoor area: Kelly’s Westport Inn has a large outdoor area that’s perfect for enjoying the festivities. Grab a spot on the patio or in the tented area to enjoy the music, food, and drinks.

Check out the Irish Festivities at Crown Center

Crown Center is a shopping and entertainment district that hosts a variety of St. Patrick’s Day events. Enjoy live music, Irish dancing, and traditional Irish food at the Irish Breakfast or Irish Stew Cook-off.

1. Start with the Irish Breakfast: Crown Center’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration kicks off with the annual Irish Breakfast. Enjoy a hearty breakfast featuring Irish favorites like corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and potatoes. There’s also live music and Irish dancing.
2. Watch the Irish Stew Cook-off: After the Irish Breakfast, head over to the Irish Stew Cook-off. Sample a variety of Irish stews made by local chefs and vote for your favorite. The winner will be announced later in the day.
3. Listen to live music: Throughout the day, Crown Center features live music from local bands and performers. Enjoy traditional Irish music as well as other genres.
4. Watch the Irish dancers: Don’t miss the Irish dancers performing throughout the day. The dancers wear traditional Irish costumes and perform intricate dances.
5. Explore the Irish marketplace: Crown Center’s Irish Marketplace features a variety of vendors selling Irish-themed items like clothing, jewelry, and art. Pick up a souvenir to remember your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
6. Enjoy the green fountains: Crown Center’s fountains are dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day. Take a stroll through the fountains and snap some photos.
7. End the day with a pint of Guinness: After a day of celebrating, head to one of the many Irish pubs in the area for a pint of Guinness or other Irish beers.

Remember to dress in green and join in the St. Patrick’s Day fun at Crown Center in Kansas City!

Participate in the Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run

The Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run is a 4-mile run through the streets of Kansas City. The race starts and finishes in Westport and features a course that’s lined with cheering crowds.

1. Get there early: The Westport Run is a popular event, so arrive early to find parking and secure a spot along the route.
2. Dress in green: Show your Irish pride by dressing in green! Many people wear green costumes, hats, and accessories for the occasion.
3. Run or walk the route: The Westport Run is a 4-mile run or walk that starts and ends in the heart of Westport. The route takes you through the neighborhood’s historic streets and past some of its popular bars and restaurants.
4. Enjoy the party atmosphere: The Westport Run is as much a party as it is a race. Many of the bars and restaurants along the route have St. Patrick’s Day specials and live music.
5. Take part in the costume contest: The Westport Run includes a costume contest with categories like “Best Irish Attire” and “Most Creative Costume”. Dress up and show off your Irish spirit!
6. Stay for the post-race party: After the race, stick around for the post-race party at one of the participating bars or restaurants. Enjoy food, drinks, and live music.
7. Celebrate responsibly: Remember to celebrate responsibly and have a designated driver if you plan to drink.

Enjoy a traditional Irish meal

On St. Patrick’s Day, many restaurants in Kansas City offer special Irish-themed menus. Check out the specials at places like:

1. Browne’s Irish Marketplace: Browne’s is a family-owned Irish market and deli that has been a Kansas City institution for over 100 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, they serve a traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and potatoes.
2. The Dubliner: The Dubliner is a classic Irish pub located in the heart of Kansas City’s Power & Light District. They serve a variety of traditional Irish dishes, including bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips.
3. O’Dowd’s Little Dublin: O’Dowd’s is another popular Irish pub in the Power & Light District that serves a variety of Irish dishes. Their St. Patrick’s Day menu features corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and bangers and mash.
4. Kelly’s Westport Inn: Kelly’s is a historic Irish bar located in the Westport neighborhood of Kansas City. On St. Patrick’s Day, they serve a special menu that includes corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and Guinness beef pot pie.
5. Raglan Road Irish Pub: Raglan Road is a newer addition to the Kansas City Irish pub scene, located in the Park Place shopping center in Leawood, Kansas. Their St. Patrick’s Day menu features traditional Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and corned beef and cabbage.

No matter where you choose to go, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Irish meal in Kansas City on St. Patrick’s Day.

Celebrate with a pint of Guinness

No St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without a pint of Guinness. Head to any Irish pub in Kansas City, like O’Malley’s Pub or The Dubliner, for a perfectly poured pint.

Wherever you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Kansas City, be sure to wear your green and join in the festivities!