March 4th, 2024
St. Patrick's Day in San Francisco: An Annual Celebration!
Every year San Francisco locals look forward to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world! Start your day off with the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade from 11:30AM to 2PM as it makes its way down Market Street to the Civic Center. Once there, enjoy the Civic Center Plaza celebration until 6PM, featuring live music, food and drinks, dancing and more! And if you’re looking to keep the Irish festivities going thereafter – find Irish food and drinks at one of San Francisco’s Irish Pubs and Taverns to end the night!
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
San Francisco's St. Patrick's Day Festival is the one of the biggest festivals in California, with over 100,000 people in attendance every year! The theme of this year’s parade is “UniteSF”. The mission of UniteSF is to share St. Patrick’s Day with everyone and honor all the unique cultural groups found all over the city of SF! This year, UniteSF hopes to bring the best of our melting pot of cultural communities together through art, music, dance and food – before, during and even after the parade is over!
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. It will begin at the intersection of Market Street and 2nd and make its way down Market to Civic Center Plaza.
Are you staying with us at Stanford Court and wondering how to get to the St. Patty’s Day Parade? Hop on an iconic Cable Car! Not only will it be festively decked out in green decor, if you hop on just a few steps away at the intersection of California and Powell, it’s a straight shot down Powell to Market Street! Or alternatively, if you want to get your steps in, enjoy a short walk downhill along Powell Street to Market Street - and be sure to stop and get a Green Beer at a bar along the way!
Civic Center Plaza Post-Parade Celebration
After the parade, be sure to stick around for all the post-parade festivities at the Civic Center Plaza! The Plaza will open at 11:30AM and will feature international vendors selling food, drink, art and crafts. Since the theme is UniteSF, you will be able to see and try more than just Irish fare! Plus, starting at 2:00PM, enjoy live performances by:
- The Hooks - Straight from Sligo, this band brings the heart of Irish music to the stage.
- The Whelan Academy of Irish Dance - Watch tradition come alive with their vibrant performances.
- Felim Egan and Darcy Noonan - A dynamic duo! Egan’s masterful accordion blends seamlessly with Noonan’s enchanting fiddle.
- Glide Ensemble and Change Band - Feel the power of gospel with this full-on choir from the legendary Glide Memorial Church.
- Dublin Soul - A fusion of soul and Irish charm, featuring the incredible talents of Tony Lindsay (Santana), Omega Rae (Van Morrison), the traditional vocals of Amelia Hogan, and Ronan and Keith Mulligan from The Hooks, under the guidance of keyboardist, Eamonn Flynn (The Commitments, Elvin Bishop).
Keep the Party Going! Post-Post-Parade Celebrations
While the Civic Center Plaza event might end at 6:00PM, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the St. Patty’s Day Party going! We’ve gathered the best Irish pubs, bars and taverns to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in San Francisco near Stanford Court and around Market Street. Check out any of our favorites below for Irish food and Irish drinks to end the night!
- The Irish Bank (10 Mark Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108) - Just a short 9 minute walk from Stanford Court! Go down Powell and then make a left on Bush Street.
- Irish Times (500 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94108) - Established in 2010 – this family-owned pub is located in the heart of FiDi, just a 12 minute down the hill. Go straight down California St, then make a left on Sansome St.
- Johnny Foley’s Irish House (243 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102) - Inspired by the great pubs of Ireland, Johnny Foley’s is known for its warm hospitality, stiff drinks, honest food and live entertainment since 1998. 11 minute walk down Powell towards Union Square.
- The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant (198 5th St, San Francisco, CA 94103) - If you’re looking for quality food, drinks, and entertainment – this Pub & Restaurant is a must stop! Just a quick 8 minute rideshare ride downtown.
San Francisco LOVES St. Patrick's Day!
Want to join in on one of the biggest Saint Patty’s day celebrations in California? Celebrate with us at Stanford Court – at the top of the hill and at the center of it all, it’s your favorite San Francisco hotel. We’ve crafted a guest experience that plays off the city’s energy. With our cleverly designed rooms, state-of-the-art gym, expressive common spaces and cutting-edge wellness amenities, you’ll feel right at home with our City by the Bay.
