If you haven’t attended St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Kansas City, you are in for a week of parades, green beer, Irish music, Guinness, and corned beef hash.
Kansas City’s connection to Ireland dates back to the mid-1800s. Irish immigrants shaped the landscapes of Westport and nearby Independence, bringing their rich traditions, including St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Those traditions and culture are still celebrated today and kept alive by local organizations like the Kansas City Irish Center.
All of this to say that Kansas City is the place to be for St. Patrick’s Day! In this complete guide, we’re covering all the options for celebrating this Irish tradition.
St. Patty’s Day Parades in Kansas City
These are all the parades happening around Kansas City, Missouri.
The 50th Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17th, 2024
Begins at 11:00am
The Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – the biggest in the city – is a cherished tradition, celebrating Irish heritage since 1974.
Initially dubbed “the world’s shortest and worst parade,” it began as a downtown street party. Over the years, it gained attention and grew in participation.
With up to 400,000 onlookers, the parade has become a monumental event. In 2009, it moved to Midtown, honoring the area’s Irish immigrant history.
Starting in Midtown at Linwood and Broadway, the parade will proceed along Broadway to 43rd Street. The parade transforms Broadway into a sea of green, with lively floats, marching bands, and a celebration of Kansas City’s Irish roots.
The below information is good to keep in mind as you’re planning to attend.
- The densest crowds gather near the beginning, around the review stand, and in Westport, with its bustling restaurants and bars.
- The parade marches on, come rain or shine. Only severe weather could cause a cancellation.
- Portable toilets are available along the parade route for your convenience.
St. Patrick’s Parade Route Map
Snake Saturday Parade in North Kansas City
March 16th, 2024
Begins at 11:00am
Snake Saturday Parade is North Kansas City’s event for Irish festivities. It focuses on multi-generational engagement around true Irish spirit – perfect for the entire family!
This year will be the fortieth year of this event! The parade staging is from 10th to 14th along Swift and along 14th from Howell to Swift.
For more information on the festival, scroll down to the family activities section.
St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade in Brookside
March 16th, 2024
Begins at 2:00pm
The theme of this year’s St. Patrick’s Warm-Up Parade in Brookside is “March Magic.”
This parade is meant for all ages. The parade route is: start at 65th and Wornall, north on Wornall to 63rd St., east on 63rd St to Main, south on Main St. to Meyer Blvd., west on Meyer Blvd. to Brookside Rd.
St. Patty’s Family Activities in Kansas City
Planning to attend kid-friendly events? Besides the parades, below are St. Patrick’s Day family events in Kansas City.
Snake Saturday Festival in North Kansas City
March 16th, 2024
The Snake Saturday Festival is for families to participate before, during, and after the parade. You can expect a carnival, children’s stage show, race car show, and more!
The festival will take place at the corner of Howell and 18th Street.
In addition to entertainment, there will be several vendors selling funnel cakes, popcorn, and other carnival treats!
Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run
March 9th, 2024
Begins at 10:00am
The Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run has been taking place since 1979!
Runners will need to sign-up in advance. The route is a 4-mile race and follows the schedule below.
The event is kid-friendly and includes a “Little Leprechaun Run.” All kid participants will receive a short sleeve tee, a gift bag, and a finisher medal when they pick up their packet. The distance is about 1 block.
You’ll be able to get Irish breakfast at several places in Westport the morning of the race. Additionally, there will be kid-friendly festivities following the event.
9:45am – Little Leprechaun Run
10:00am – Elite Runners Start (any runner at a 7:30 min or under pace)
10:01am – Runners and Walkers Start (runners over 7:30 min pace and walkers)
10:20am – Post Race Festival starts (adjacent to the finish line)
St. Patrick’s Day in Westport KC
If you’re looking for a party, Westport is the epicenter of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. You’ll find green beer, special Irish menus, and live entertainment.
The parade will pass by Westport and begins at 11:00am, but many Westport businesses will be open beforehand to start the celebrations early.
Portions of Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed to make room for outdoor beer gardens.
Don’t pass on visiting Kelly’s Westport Inn, a neighborhood staple since 1947.
St. Patrick’s Day in Power & Light
The Power & Light entertainment district is a hub for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
You can expect events like bar crawls, special concerts, and of course green pancakes and beer from McFadden’s.
Kansas City’s Irish Businesses to Visit for St. Patty’s
Browne’s Irish Marketplace
Neighborhood: Midtown
Browne’s Irish Marketplace has been a pillar of the local community since it first opened in 1887.
Founded by immigrants from County Kerry, Ireland, it started as Flavin’s Market, a neighborhood hub for quality food and Irish hospitality.
It is the oldest Irish-owned business in North America.
They will have festivities all St. Patty’s weekend, Friday through Sunday.
For Sunday, March 17th, festivities will take place from 8:30am – 5:00pm. From 8:30am – 11:00am, they will have Irish breakfast, coffee, and cocktails.
From 11:00am – 4:00pm, they’ll have Irish dishes and drinks along with yard games.
Their market offers a range of Irish and Celtic products, including Barrys and Bewley’s Tea, jams, marmalades, biscuits, bread mixes, and traditional Irish staples like rashers, and bangers. You can also find imported clothing and textiles.
Brady & Fox
Neighborhood: Brookside
Brady & Fox offers traditional Irish recipes with a modern touch. St. Patty’s weekend, they’ll open at 10:00am both Saturday and Sunday with a special food and drink menu.
Partly owned by an Irishman from a small town in central Ireland, the menu features recipes inspired by those he grew up with.
The ambiance of Brady & Fox is inviting, adorned with artwork depicting landmarks of Ireland, creating a warm and homely atmosphere.
The whiskey lounge, with its comfortable sofas and chairs, invites guests to enjoy a drink and engage in conversation.
Kelly’s Westport Inn
Neighborhood: Westport
Kelly’s Westport Inn, a quintessential Kansas City bar, is steeped in history and local lore.
Located in the oldest building in Kansas City, constructed in 1851, it’s one of the city’s oldest continually operating taverns, with a liquor license dating back to 1934.
The Kelly family has owned the bar for over 75 years.
The pub offers live music on the weekends. As the evening progresses, the casual setting becomes lively.
The walls, adorned with memorabilia and signage, are crafted from wood panels.
As you make your way towards the back, where the arcade games await, the creaking of the old wooden floor adds to the nostalgic charm.
O’Dowd’s Gastropub
Neighborhood: Country Club Plaza
Having opened over 20 years ago, O’Dowd’s has become a staple in the Kansas City pub scene.
Their wooden interior with Irish details becomes quite lively in the evenings, frequently featuring live music.
Menu highlights include the reuben, fish and chips, and Irish pot roast.
On St. Patrick’s Day, they’ll offer Irish breakfast from 9:00am – 11:00am and then a lunch and dinner menu from 11:00am – 10:00pm.
Restless Spirits Distilling Company
Neighborhood: North Kansas City
Restless Spirits Distilling Company is an Irish-style craft distillery with family heritage and Irish-American traditions.
If you’re hankering for some locally made Irish Whiskey, this is your stop. The distillery has been recognized as Missouri’s best distillery multiple times since its opening in 2016.
The founder, a fifth generation Kansas City native of Irish descent, brings a deep connection to the area’s history and his family’s legacy to the brand.
For Snake Saturday on March 16th, Restless Spirits will have breakfast from 9am – 10:30am.
Then at 11:00am, the $10 cover charge begins and includes live music, Irish dancing, specialty cocktails, Irish ale, and Irish stouts.
O’Malley’s 1842 Pub
Weston, Missouri (40 minute drive from Kansas City)
If you’re willing to get out of the city for St. Patrick’s Day, O’Malley’s in Weston, Missouri provides a unique Irish-inspired pub experience and is completely worth the trip.
O’Malley’s is hidden almost 60 feet underground in the cellars of what was, in the 19th century, a local brewery. The pub’s limestone walls are adorned with flags and vintage advertisements for beer and liquor.
This charming establishment features multiple underground chambers, with lively Irish music often wafting from the deepest chamber. Occasionally, Irish folkloric performers can be found in the side rooms, adding to the magical atmosphere of the place.
There are plenty of options around the area if you’d like to stay for the evening.
McFadden’s Sports Saloon
Neighborhood: Power & Light
You can be sure that McFadden’s will be a lively spot for St. Patrick’s Day, alongside the many other bars in the P&L entertainment district.
McFadden’s will feature green pancakes and green beer beginning at 9:00am.
Irish Music Performances in Kansas City
If you’re looking for traditional Irish music, there are several options around Kansas City for the week of St. Patrick’s Day.
The Elders at Knuckleheads Saloon
March 17th at 7:00p
The Elders remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the U-S after 25 years because of their timeless sound. Tickets are $29.50 and they will likely sell out, so you will want to purchase them sooner than later.
Cathie Ryan with the Kansas City Symphony
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, March 16th at 8:00p
Direct from Ireland, original Cherish the Ladies singer Cathie Ryan brings her Celtic charm to the Helzberg Hall stage with the Kansas City Symphony.
Ryan has created the definitive Celtic program featuring a blend of Irish traditional, contemporary, and original songs mixed with rafter raising jigs, reels and rousing Irish step dancing. Tickets start at $48.00.
The Irish Tenors
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Wednesday, March 6th at 7:00p
The Irish Tenors – Declan Kelly, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan – have been the acknowledged Celtic music kings since they burst upon the scene during a 1998 special.
They have stood the test of time; audiences of all ages love the Irish Tenors and clamor to get tickets whenever they perform. Tickets start at $43.00.
Flogging Molly
The Uptown Theater
Friday, March 8th at 8:00p
Flogging Molly is taking their Road to Rebellion Tour to the Uptown Theater! Tickets start at $42.00.