The pub crawls are a given during this particular holiday. Not only that but three Irish taverns in Knoxville are gearing up for weekends of Irish food and drink specials, as well as live traditional Irish music and dancing (if you’re new, check out Boyd’s Jig & Reel, Clancy’s Tavern & Whiskey House, and Finn’s Restaurant & Tavern) but if you’re looking for a different shade of green to dip your toes into this weekend, we’ve got you covered:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
1 p.m. – Downtown
The annual St. Patricks Day Parade returns! The parade steps off from Gay Street and Main, with actor and comedian Josh Mancuso leading as Grand Marshal, and will head north toward Magnolia. FYI, a number of roads close at 10:45 a.m. that day so be sure to get there early! Full info on what to expect at knoxstpatricksparade.com.
Knox Shamrock Fest
12 p.m. – World’s Fair Park
The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation brings the festival back with live Irish music, Irish dancing, and Irish whiskey and beers. Ample fun is in store for the kids, too, as face painting, balloon animals, and inflatables will be on hand. If you’re feeling motivated, you can also sign up for the Lucky Kidney Run which starts an hour earlier—and honestly the T-shirt is a keeper. Register and learn more at etkidney.org/events/knox-shamrock-fest.
Barley’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K
2 p.m. – Old City
Join the gang at Barley’s Taproom for a fun run on this day of excitement. The course starts at Barleys and makes stops across the city, all the way to World’s Fair Park. Proceeds of the event support Emily’s Power for a Cure, an organization that raises funds and awareness for neuroblastoma research. Sign up for the run at knoxvillestpatricksday5k.com.
Four Leaf Peat @ the Bijou
7:30 p.m. – Downtown
Four Leaf Peat celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Bijou Sunday night, a fitting end to the day’s worth of celebrations across the city. “Traditional Irish music makes sense here because old time and bluegrass are definitely distant relatives,” founding member Chad Beauchaine told Cityview. “The Scots/Irish settled this area and brought their music with them.” Join Chad and the crew for a night of music, typically found at Boyds Jig & Reel. Tickets still available at knoxbijou.org.
Tour of Irish Town
6 p.m. – Zoom
When the weekend chaos has settled, slow things down with the Knoxville History Project with A Tour of Irish Town, a look back at the long-vanished section of Knoxville. Register here.
Knoxville Restaurants with
Special St. Patrick’s Day Menus:
- Water Into Wine hosts their Sip & Savor a Taste of the Irish Thursday through Sunday with special food and drink menus. Pro tip: Make a reservation.
- Creekside, the outdoor venue and food truck park, will host a St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Cook Off on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Presale tickets and day of tickets available.
- Thistle and Brier is hosting two reservation-based dinners this weekend, the Refined and Fun Dinner Affair on Saturday follow by an early Family Feast on Sunday, both featuring live music.