St. Patrick has had it rough in Kentucky for a few years. In the Spring of 2020, St. Patrick was one of the first casualties of the pandemic as bars and restaurants shut down and parades were canceled. In 2021, the parade was canceled again.

This year, Lexington’s streets shall once again run green with savory rivers of corned beef and cabbage. St. Patrick’s Day falls on Sunday, March 17, 2024 but the all-day downtown Irish Festival and Parade will be observed on St. Patrick’s Eve, on Saturday March 16.

The 2024 Festival downtown will include the Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Liam’s Fancy, the William Sutherland Reid Pipes and Drums, the McTeggart Irish Dancers, and Kentucky United Pipes and Drums.

The St. Patrick’s Parade begins at 1 pm.

An important note for Saturday March 16, 2024: The Lexington Farmers’ Market will not be in their usual home at the Pavilion downtown; the farmers will relocate for the day to Lexington’s Warehouse Block.

In addition to the Parade and Irish Festival, the KHSAA Sweet 16 Girls’ Basketball Tourney is at Rupp Arena this weekend.

Plan for significant traffic impact.

FRI MAR 15

Harkness Edwards is hosting a St. Patrick’s charcuterie and wine class.

Liquor Barn Beaumont is hosting Irish revelry at their St Patrick’s Pint Night with Lexington Brewing. Must be 21+.

Mt. Sterling will host Irish Fest with the McTeggart Irish Dancers, music, games, a baked potato bar and beer at the Gateway Regional Arts Center.

SAT MAR 16

Mirror Twin Brewing is planning a day of live music, shamrock-inspired cocktails and slushes flights, plus green beer.

Join the McTeggart Irish Dancers and musicians of the Kentucky Irish Music Academy at Pivot Brewing for a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day with Irish social dancing and live music. This is a fundraiser for the McTeggart Irish Dancers booster club.

Wildcat Saloon’s Shamrock ‘n Roll Pub Crawl begins at 4 pm.

SUN MAR 17

Blue Stallion Brewing is hosting a traditional Irish Dance demo from Bluegrass Ceili Academy at 2 pm on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day 2024.

Go for the Gold at John’s Run Walk. Squeeze a little more luck out of the holiday weekend with the Pot O’ Gold run beginning at 4 pm, followed by post-run snacks. Those who attend the demo receive a chocolate gold coin at the end. 

What to Eat for St. Patrick’s 2024 in Lexington?

Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s weekend, and there will be dining options all around Lexington to reflect that.

Azur will have a St. Patrick’s menu for both brunch and dinner on Sunday. Features will include a Guinness Irish Stew and corned beef with Irish whiskey jus and colcannon style potatoes.

The Cellar will have corned beef, colcannon, Irish soda bread, cabbage, and more.

The Holly Hill empire has an order-ahead St. Patrick’s carry-out spread for two, available for pickup at Wallace Station or Fasig Tipton on Saturday March 16.  The menu includes Irish Guinness beef stew; house-cured corned beef and cabbage; bangers and mash; Irish soda bread and more.

Soda bread is on the St. Patrick’s menu at Martine’s, along with Guinness chocolate cupcakes.

Ramsey’s will serve a St. Patrick’s menu on both Saturday March 16 and Sunday March 17, including corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew with soda bread, and Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake.

Shamrock Bar & Grille will serve a corned beef plate at both locations, along with colcannon, cabbage, and more.

Void Sake will serve you green beverages, such as a green pistachio cake sake in their very first St. Patrick’s at their new location at 819 National Ave.

Winchell’s is serving corned beef and cabbage; shepherd’s pie; and bangers and mash.

The Yearling inside Blue Stallion Brewing is serving corned beef and cabbage on Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day.

Zim’s downtown will serve a corned beef and colcannon plate with rye bread, from Friday night the 15th, through Sunday.

Ace Eats Out appears on pages 16-17 of the March 2024 issue of Ace. Click here to page through the digital edition of the March issue of Ace. To subscribe to digital delivery of Ace’s print edition each month, click here. Click here to join the Ace Eats Out Facebook.

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