Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

San Diego offers a variety of events to celebrate the Irish holiday

Lizzy Jennings / A&C Editor / The USD Vista

As a holiday celebrated by nearly everyone, regardless of their cultural identity, St. Patrick’s Day has become a day of festivities for all who wish to enjoy. The origins of this holiday are religious, as the Christians deemed March 17 the feast day for Saint Patrick, celebrating his life and the role he played in bringing Chrisianity to Ireland. However, as time has carried on, the holiday has incurred a more secular following and represents the celebration of Irish culture globally. 

However, in light of the spread of coronavirus, many places have been forced to cancel their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. U.S. cities such as New Orleans, Seattle, and Boston have canceled St. Patrick’s Day events and parades.Even in Ireland, festivities are being put on hold due to the fears of the illness spreading through major crowds, and even Dublin’s massive annual St. Patrick’s Day parade has been canceled as a precaution, in the hopes of containing the spread of the virus. 

Luckily, here in San Diego there are no plans to stop the holiday festivities at this time. 

This article outlines some of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit, as many restaurants and venues across San Diego are hosting events to celebrate. 

Be sure to keep an eye out for other local St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at your favorite bar or restaurant, or enjoy the ones we have highlighted.

Though many think of St. Patrick’s Day as a holiday of drinking and eating, those who enjoy fitness can enjoy this holiday in a more active way as well. 

On March 14 there will be the St. Patrick’s Day 10K Run with the 2-4 Mile Run/Walk for those who would prefer a more casual, athletic outing. The course runs through the scenic and famed Mission Bay Park, and there will be prizes and t-shirts for all contestants. The entry price is $45 for adults and $20 for children under 12. 

That same day just across the city, the 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held in Balboa Park. With no entry cost or ticket requirements, this event is a great way to celebrate the holiday without having to worry about spending any money. 

Claiming to be the “biggest St. Patrick’s day west of the Mississippi,” this celebration draws nearly 30,000 attendees and has over 120 entries walking the route. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and will be followed by the Irish festival which also takes place  in Balboa Park, featuring food, craft, and drink tents for attendees who wish to experience the joys of the Irish culture. 

Finally, for Toreros 21 and up, there will be the St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock celebration in the Gaslamp Quarter. Hailed as one of the biggest block parties in San Diego, this celebration will be transforming the Gaslamp into a massive celebration of Celtic culture, live music, and green beer. 

Interestingly, all the proceeds of this event go to the Gaslamp Quarter Historiwcal Foundation, which hopes to preserve historical buildings in downtown San Diego. This block party is a great way to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day holiday while benefiting the history of San Diego itself.