Image from Wikimedia

St. Patrick’s Day is always a great time, and the Emerald Coast is brimming with fun, Irish-themed activities! Green Beer and Corned Beef aside, this cultural celebration brings more than just fun drinks and traditional Irish cuisine.

Emerald Coast destinations from Pensacola to Panama City offer their own version of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, including pub crawls, charity runs, outdoor concerts, and more family friendly affairs. Read below for the top St. Patrick’s Day events taking place on the Emerald Coast!

 

Panama City

 

Don’t forget your lucky shamrocks as you head to Panama City for St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans! Each year, the Panama City Publishing Co. Museum and Visitors Center host their annual pub crawl and fundraiser to support the preservation of St. Andrews.

Start your day with St. Patrick’s Day activities, Irish music, Irish food, and Irish dance! Party on through the evening with an exciting pub crawl, an Irish accent and jig contest, and a sidewalk march led by the bagpipers of Panama City Pipes and Drums! Panama City is a great place to eat, drink, and be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!

 

 

30A

 

During the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the focus on 30A will move from the white sand beaches to the green beer! At the annual 30A St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, which takes place throughout the holiday weekend, attendees can expect family games, delicious Irish food and drinks, and world-class entertainment from 30A musicians and artists. The parade itself will include over 50 unique floats from local area businesses and organizations. The route spans 4 miles on Scenic Highway 30A, ending at Gulf Place, where the real festivities await!

The close-knit community charm of 30A is reflected through this St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Kids can enjoy dozens of memorable activities like the POT O’ GOLD Treasure Hunts, Irish Costume Contest, and The World’s Tallest Leprechaun Balloon Maker, while adults have the opportunity to sample local cuisine and specialty Irish drinks with friends and neighbors.

 

Image from Wikimedia

 

Fort Walton Beach

 

Calling all Leprechauns! Grab your running shoes and head to Fort Walton Beach for the annual Lucky Leprechaun 5K/10K Run/Walk and the Lil’ Leprechaun 1-mile run for kids. This event takes place every year during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and is a great way to bring in this spirited holiday!

The Run/Walk will take you through the beautiful downtown Fort Walton Beach area, and back to KC’s Sandbar for a post-race party complete with prizes, food, drinks, music, and more! So, if you’re looking for something unique to do this St. Patrick’s Day, bring the kids to downtown Fort Walton Beach for some family-friendly fun and debauchery!

 

 

Destin

 

The beautiful Gulf of Mexico isn’t the only thing that’s emerald and green on St. Patrick’s Day in Destin! HarborWalk Village is the place to be if you’re looking to paint the town green. With food, drinks, live music, a pub crawl, and more, be prepared to shamrock-and-roll!

Aside from the seasonal festivities, the Destin Harbor is also home to a ton of family-friendly activities and things to do. From fishing charters, to magic shows, there is something for every age and interest at HarborWalk Village. One of the top kid-friendly activities to enjoy during St. Patrick’s Day in Destin is a fun and fantastic dolphin cruise! Dolphin cruises are a blast, and are a great way to see dolphins, the gorgeous natural landscape, and the city from a whole new perspective.

{Read Reviews & Book Destin Dolphin Cruises Online}

Can’t get enough Irish fun and fare? Head over to McGuire’s in Destin, one of the best places for live music and entertainment in Destin, for their St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza! Dress in your Irish best and enjoy traditional Irish food, green beer, and live music!

Image from Wikimedia

 

Pensacola

 

The real Saint Patrick was known as the “Apostle of Ireland,” and remains the patron saint of the partial island nation. In respect to this legendary man, the popular Emerald Coast Irish Pub “McGuire’s” has hosted Prediction Runs for over 40 years!

The rules of the McGuire’s Prediction Run are simple:

• Each runner predicts how long it would take them to run/walk 3.1 miles (must be under an hour)
• Each runner runs/walks the 3.1 miles
• A set number of runners who come closest to their predicted time win prizes

Many runners participate to raise money and/or awareness for a favorite charity, shedding an altruistic light on a stereotypically irreverent holiday. Once runners reach the finish line, they are greeted with Irish drinks, dining options, entertainment, and games! For more information or to sign up for the annual McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day Run, visit the run sign up page.

 

Image by Kelly Deichert

 

• "All About Saint Patrick's Day". Church Year.