The Tri-Cities area (St. Charles in particular) is going all-in on St. Patrick's Day this week in preparation for a full day of Irish festivities centered around the annual downtown parade on Saturday, March 14.

On Saturday, the fun starts at 11AM at the 1st Street Plaza — between Gia Mia and McNally's Traditional Irish Pub — with an opening ceremony featuring live bagpipers, Irish dancers, and a face painter. The parade steps off at 2PM from 6th Street and winds down Main Street to 4th Avenue.

While you're downtown, keep an eye out for photo ops at the 1st Street Plaza and across the river near Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling. There's also a Shamrock Hunt running all day — find 10 shamrocks hidden outside local businesses between 6th and 4th, snap a photo with each one, and submit the form for a chance to win a prize. Three winners will be drawn on March 18.

Get full details on all the festivities.

Beyond the parade, there's a packed week of St. Paddy's events across the area.

☑️ St. Patrick's Day Paint Workshop | Mon 3/9, 6:30-8:30PM | Brother Chimp Brewing, North Aurora | Paint a shamrock top hat design on an interchangeable sign insert — $35 includes all supplies and one drink ticket.

☑️ Shamrock Paint & Sip | Mon 3/9, 6:30-8:30PM | Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Batavia | Paint a 4-inch wooden shamrock using mandala dotting techniques — all supplies included.

☑️ Paint a St. Paddy's Lucky Gnome on a Pint Glass | Tue 3/10, 6-8PM | Riverlands Brewing Company, STC | Paint a themed lucky gnome on a pint glass you take home.

☑️ St. Paddy's Day Charcuterie Class | Tue 3/10, 7PM | The Office Dining & Spirits, STC | Build a festive Irish-themed charcuterie board — all food and tools included.

☑️ St. Patrick's Day Lunch & Show with Vito Zatto | Wed 3/11, 12PM | Club Arcada, STC | Corned beef lunch with live music and comedy from Vito Zatto — $45 per person.

☑️ Corned Beef Clash | Wed 3/11, 6:30PM | Alter Brewing + Kitchen, STC | Chefs compete with wild corned beef creations — you taste, judge, and vote for the winner.

☑️ St. Pat's Day Cookie Decorating Workshop | Wed 3/11, 6PM | The Evergreen Pub & Grill, STC | Mad Batter Bakery cookie kits for $10 — fun for the whole family, reserve in advance.

☑️ Shake Your Shamrocks WERQ Dance Class | Wed 3/11, 7:30PM | Persinger Center, Geneva | St. Patrick's Day-themed cardio dance party with a "lucky" touch of trivia — wear green.

☑️ St. Patrick's Day Run & Scavenger Hunt | Thu 3/12, 6PM | McNally's Irish Pub, STC | Fox River Trail Runners lead a festive 3-4 mile run through downtown STC with a scavenger hunt — RSVP required.

☑️ St. Paddy's Feast with Chef Susan's Kitchen Ten Pop-Up | Fri 3/13, 5-8PM | Riverlands Brewing Company, STC | A Friday feast with a full Irish-inspired menu from catering company Kitchen Ten.

☑️ Pot of Gold Park Stroll | Sat 3/14, 10AM-12PM | Mount Saint Mary Park, STC | Free family walk/run searching for leprechauns, shamrocks, and rainbows — prizes at the end of each lap.

☑️ Annual St. Baldrick's Fundraiser | Sat 3/14, 10AM-1PM | Riverlands Brewing Company, STC | Head-shaving fundraiser for pediatric cancer research with a goal of $30,000 in donations.

☑️ Lucky You: St. Patrick's Day Brunch | Sat 3/14, 11AM-1PM | Altiro Latin Fusion, Geneva | All-green themed brunch with DJ Ephinz, festive food and drinks — $10 includes a themed mimosa.

☑️ St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade | Sat 3/14, 2PM | Downtown STC | Annual downtown parade down Main Street with floats, Irish dancers, and high school bands — opening ceremony at 11AM.

☑️ Evergreen Pub Parade Before/After Party | Sat 3/14, 9AM-? | The Evergreen Pub & Grill, STC | Breakfast bash starting at 9AM, Irish dancers at 4:30PM, and 10 Years Apart band at 7PM.

☑️ St. Patrick's Party at Batavia VFW | Sat 3/14, 6PM | Batavia VFW Post 1197 | Corned beef dinner at 6:30PM, live music with Jim DiDomenico at 7PM, bagpipers at 7:30PM — public welcome.

☑️ St. Patrick's Day Karaoke at Tanna Tap | Sat 3/14, 8-11PM | Tanna Tap, Geneva | St. Patrick's Day karaoke night.

☑️ St. Paddy's Day Luncheon | Sun 3/15, 11:30AM | St. Charles Episcopal Church, STC | Traditional Irish fare — corned beef, cabbage, soda bread — with entertainment from Tom & Jerry. Tickets $10-$12, kids $5.

☑️ Shamrock Splash Family Swim Event | Sun 3/15, 3-4:30PM | Goldfish Swim School, STC | Free family open swim with light refreshments and a poolside craft — register at Eventbrite.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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