Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! There are some fun activities leading up to the big day to get a bit of the Irish spirit and they start this Saturday.
Go to a parade with the family, do a fun activity or craft together then get a babysitter and head out for a few pints of Guinness at a local pub.
Here are upcoming events and parades:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Nutley
Who: Everyone.
What: Nutley’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Join the party after the parade on Chestnut Street!
Where: Parade starts at Holy Family Church on Harrison Street, Nutley, NJ.
When: Saturday, March 1 at 1 pm.
Cost: Free.
Craic Fest, the Kids Fleadh
Who: Families
What: Kicking off the 16th annual Craic Fest, the Kids Fleadh presents new and inspiring short films that invite families to travel to Ireland from the comfort of the intimate Donaghy Theatre. The annual fleadh presents more than eight films, including the award-winning shorts The Missing Scarf and Fear of Flying. Storytelling with Honor Molloy and John Liam Shea, live step dancing performances and a reception with complimentary tea and scones are regular features of this special day for the whole family.
Where: Irish Arts Center, 553 West 51 Street, NYC
When: Saturday, March 1 at 11 am
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Newark
Who: Everyone.
What: Newark’s 79th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Join the party after the parade on Chestnut Street!
Where: Parade route will start at the Prudential Center and proceed north on Mulberry Street, past the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Center Street, and conclude at Washington Park. There will be Reviewing Stands located at Mulberry and Clinton Streets as well as Central Avenue and Washington Street.
When: Friday, March 14 at 1 pm.
Cost: Free.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Morristown
Who: Everyone.
What: Starring bands, banners, costumes, floats, and horses, NJ’s largest family-oriented parade.
Where: Parade begins near the corner of South and James Sts., heads up South St., circles the Green, continues up Washington St., and ends at Atno Ave.
When: Saturday, March 15 at 12 pm.
Cost: Free.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Union
Who: Everyone.
What: Bagpipers, clowns, drummers, Irish dancers, face painting and inflatable rides and more!
Where: Parade route will begin at Morris and Commerce Aves. and proceed east on Morris Ave. The parade will continue to Stuyvesant Ave., before concluding at Roosevelt Ave.
When: Saturday, March 15 at 1 pm.
Cost: Free.
Pot of Gold Family Carnival Night
Who: Families
What: A family night full of fun, games an music!
Where: Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ
When: Saturday, March 15 from 6 – 8 pm
Cost: Free
St. Patrick’s Day at Sesame Place
Who: Families with young children.
What: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Elmo and Friends as they dance and jig to their favorite Sesame Street songs. Come dressed in your most festive green attire and enjoy a buffet lunch and desserts for all the wee lads and lassies.
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne , PA
When: Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:30 am and 2:15 pm
Cost: Adult: $27 + tax; Child: $17 + tax; Infants (23 mon. & younger): Free
Shamrock Craft at Imagine That!
Who: All ages.
What: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and make a decorative Shamrock! Erin Go Bragh!
Where: Imagine That!, 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ.
When: Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Cost: Free with general admission. For more information call (973) 966-8000.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: West Orange
Who: Everyone.
What: West Orange St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Where: Parade begins at Main Street and Pleasant Avenue. Grandstands will be located at Community House and Degnan House on Main Street, West Orange, NJ.
When: Sunday, March 16 step-off at 12:15 pm.
Cost: Free.
Luck O’ the Farm
Who: Families
What: Join in a celebration of the Irish who worked at Fosterfields during the late 19th and 20th century. Help with farm and domestic ‘chores’ that the employees performed. Discover Irish traditions and culture through a presentation by author Cheryl Turkington and the music of Linda Russell. Learn to dance an Irish jig, and create a family-friendly craft.
Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township, NJ
When: Sunday, March 16 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Cost: $8/adults, $7/seniors (65+), $6/ages 4 – 16, and $4/ages 2 and 3. FREE for child
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: NYC
Who: Everyone.
What: NYC’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, our country’s oldest and proudest Irish tradition, which marched for the first time more than 250 years ago, on March 17, 1762 – fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence.
Where: The Parade starts at 44th Street.
When: Monday, March 17 at 11 am.
Cost: Free.
St. Patrick’s Day Story and Craft
Who: Ages 3 and up
What: Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Celebrate the traditions and lore of Ireland with stories and a take-home craft.
Where: Montclair Public Library, 3rd Floor, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ
When: Monday, March 17 at 4 pm
Cost: Free. No registration required.