Fun all over Atlanta: St. Patrick’s Day brings plethora of options

St. Patrick’s Day will bring with it to Atlanta the luck O’ the Irish and a slew of leprechaun-centric activities. From pub crawls to fun runs, the city and its surrounding metro area have you covered as the time of celebration approaches. Here are our picks from over-21 happenings to family-friendly concerts and recreational events.

St. Patrick’s Day Market

Shop local and find all the fresh produce and crafts you could want with this Irish-centric iteration of the Flowery Branch Farmers Market! Bring the fam for face painting and live music!

Location: Flowery Branch Farmers Market; Website: facebook.com/events; Date: Thursday, March 14; Time: 3:30-6:30 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Atlanta Block Party

Get your celebrations started early this St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Tickets to this block party in Midtown mean no cover into more than 40 participating locations where an Irish theme reigns and live music and DJs keep the party moving as attendees down delicious food and drink.

Location: Politan Row at Colony Square (check-in); Website: bigtickets.com; Date: Friday, March 15; Time: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Admission: $17.50-$30

St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving

Fadó comes through again with something unique and unforgettable: The 23rd Annual St. Baldrick’s Head Shaving event. Come out and support research to cure childhood cancer. Those who sit for a head shaving will help raise donations for the cause.

Location: Fadó Irish Pub - Buckhead; Website: fadoirishpub.com; Date: March 15; Time: 3-6:30 p.m.

Kiss Me I’m Irish St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

Check in at Ponko Chicken and proceed through six other participating bars in a three-day craw that will see you through the Lucky Leprechaun Cocktail at Kat’s Cafe, the Luck of the Irish shot at EMBR Lounge and Irish Bar Bombs at My Sister’s Room.

Location: Ponko Chicken - Midtown (registration); Website: eventbrite.com; Date: Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17, Time: Friday - 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday - 4 p.m. to midnight., Sunday - 2 p.m. to midnight.; Admission: $15-$60

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Buckhead Lucky Leprechaun crawl

Leave your luck to the Irish as you set out from Churchills Pub en route to more than 10 participating establishments, including The Ivy, Moon Dogs and 5 Paces Inn.

Location: Churchills British Pub; Website: bigtickets.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Admission: $30 per ticket

Atlanta Shamrock Stroll

Festive food and drink await those who seize the day - and a free koozie and shot glass necklace - for this fun stroll through the heart of Atlanta and a sea of green.

Location: Brewdog (check-in); Website: pubcrawls.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: 2 p.m.; Admission: $7.99 to $19.99 (prices may rise)

The Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

Experience St. Patty’s Green Tea Shots and Sour Apple Shamrock cocktails at various stops along this crawl before it ends with afterparties at the Koo Koo Room and Embr Lounge.

Location: The Nook on Piedmont Park (check-in); Website: facebook.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: 4 p.m. to midnight; Admission: $20-$30

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade

This parade has the distinction of being the city’s longest-running event. It began in 1858, and although it’s run by the Irish Network Atlanta, it attracts revelers of all backgrounds looking to celebrate everything Irish. This year’s grand marshall is Monica Pearson; plan to be in place by 11 a.m. for best vantage points.

Location: Peachtree Street - Midtown; Website: atlantastpats.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: noon-1:30 p.m.; Admission: free

Lilberchaun

Fun for all - big and small! Lilburn’s annual leprechaun-themed parade is open to all family members, including pets. Feeling competitive? Vie for titles including Mr. and Mrs. Lilberchaun, best-dressed pet and Lad and Lassie Lilberchaun. Inflatables, face painting, food and more fun will follow.

Location: Lilburn City Park; Website: cityoflilburn.com; Date: March 16; Time: noon; Admission: $5-$15 (for activities)

Marietta Shamrock Shuffle

This Peachtree Road Race qualifier will get runners and walkers moving for the eighth year in a row. Enjoy vendors and the chance to make a difference with donations to the Marietta Police Athletic League, which works to prevent juvenile crime through recreational engagement.

Location: Cobb County State Court building; Website: mariettashamrockshuffle.com; Date: March 16; Time: 8 a.m. (race begins/registration ends); Admission: $45

9th Annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade 5K Run/Walk

Peachtree Road, Midtown, Piedmont Park - some of Atlanta’s most well-known areas factor into this race route. Winners in more than a dozen age groups. Stick around for the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade shortly afterward and see overall male/female winners in the parade!

Location: Fadó Irish Pub - Midtown - race start; Website: atlantastpats.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: 9:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.; Admission: $25-$45

Shamrocks and Shenanigans Atlanta

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is the entertainment at the Battery this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Down your share of green beer and enjoy the live entertainment on Saturday, and come back on Sunday for some the college basketball on the 32-foot big screen!

Location: Live! At the Battery Atlanta; Website: liveatthebatteryatlanta.com; Date: Saturday, March 16; Time: noon; Admission: $10

Fadó Irish Pub, Buckhead

Would it really be St. Paddy’s without a two-day party at Fadó? Enjoy kegs, eggs and a little rugby as you wait for the Irish dancers and bagpipers to perform. Walk-ins are welcome, but ticket-holders get priority.

Location: Fadó Irish Pub - Buckhead; Website: fadoirishpub.com; Dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17; Time: 1 p.m.; Admission: $10-$20 (separate cover charge for non-ticket holders)

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Kegs and Eggs Brunch Block Party

Virginia Highlands is known for its brunch offerings, and this one does not disappoint. In fact it extends the concept to an an all-day affair. Peruse the offerings from nine participating restaurants and bars.

Location: Neighbor’s Pub; Website: bigtickets.com; Date: Sunday, March 17; Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: $15-$30

ASO Family Concert: The Luck of the Irish

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will bring Yeats’ fairy tales to life through enchanting music and dance. See Irish jig dancers and cirque performers. Pre-concert activities include Phoenix School of Irish Art dancers, face painting and Girl Scout cookies.

Location: Atlanta Symphony Hall; Website: aso.org; Date: Sunday, March 17; Time: 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Admission: $16-$23

Atlanta United vs. Orlando

Catch a great matchup and give a nod to Ireland where association football (i.e. soccer) is one of the most-played sports.

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Website: atlutd.com; Date: Sunday, March 17; Time: 7 p.m.; Admission: individual tickets starting at $35

McCray’s St. Paddy’s Day menu

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with traditional food? Choose from classic corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and Irish drinks like Guinness and Irish whiskey.

Location: McCray’s Tavern - Lawrenceville; Website: mccraystavern.com; Date: Sunday, March 17; Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Create your own Celtic knot in the art studio, and enjoy a storytime presentation of “Finn MaCool and the Giants Causeway.” Stick around and learn the Irish jig!

Location: Children’s Museum of Atlanta; Website: childrensmuseumatlanta.org; Date: Sunday, March 17; Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Admission: $2.67-$19.95