Parade, brunch and booze. Here are 11 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Des Moines

Get your green on and grab a friend — and depending how you celebrate, get hydrated.

St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, and there are plenty of places to grab a beer in Des Moines to celebrate or take the family to an experience all ages can enjoy.

Here are 11 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Des Moines metro.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Des Moines

The 2022 St. Patrick's Day parade drew thousands of parade goers to downtown Des Moines on Thursday, March 17, 2022.
The 2022 St. Patrick's Day parade drew thousands of parade goers to downtown Des Moines on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Central Iowa will host its annual festive parade starting in the East Village and ending less than a mile away in downtown Des Moines. The parade is a day earlier than usual this year and follows a different route.

When: March 16 at noon

Where: Grand Avenue and Robert D. Ray Drive in the East Village to Eighth Street in Des Moines

St. Patrick’s Day marathon in Des Moines

Challenge yourself to a marathon, half marathon or 5K across Des Moines with the Des Moines St. Paddy’s Race, which celebrates eight years. All participants 21 and up will get treated to a free beer at the race. Register for the race at runsignup.com.

When: March 16 starting as early as 6:45 a.m.

Where: Des Moines. Course maps can be found at iowaruns.com.

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

Travis Powell, 46, Dennis Reynolds, 55, and Onya Jablovian, 34, all of Des Moines, celebrating St. Patrick's day, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Hessen Haus.
Travis Powell, 46, Dennis Reynolds, 55, and Onya Jablovian, 34, all of Des Moines, celebrating St. Patrick's day, Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Hessen Haus.

Get tickets to bar hop across Des Moines at Hessen Haus, RRACKSS Fine BBQ & Bistro, the Stuffed Olive, Tipsy Crow, Tonic Bar and Voodoo Lounge Des Moines with the Official Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl. Tickets include drinks or shots, access to drink and food specials, waived cover at all venues that require one and more. Purchase tickets in advance online, which start at $25.

When: March 16 at 4 p.m.

Where: Hessen Haus, 101 Fourth St., Des Moines

Mickey’s Irish Pub

It’s back-to-back days of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Mickey’s Irish Pub. Stop by for breakfast and stay for the bagpipe and drum band and live music both days. Grab yourself a green beer and corned beef and cabbage, and bonus, there’s no cover.

When: March 16-17 at 8 a.m.

Where: 50 Southeast Laurel St., Waukee

Exile Brewing Company

The Exile Brewing Company parade float handed out samples of beer to parade goers during the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Des Moines on Thursday, March 17, 2022.
The Exile Brewing Company parade float handed out samples of beer to parade goers during the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Des Moines on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Get yourself a St. Patty’s melt, Reuben eggrolls and a stout cake at Exile Brewing Company’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Bonus, try the limited-edition Dry Irish Stout brewed just for the day. Families are welcomed, with plenty of activities for children including cornhole and coloring.

When: March 16 at 9 a.m.

Where: 1514 Walnut St., Des Moines

Confluence Brewing Company

It’s Kegs N’ Eggs time over at Confluence. Get tickets for a brunch and beer experience on St. Patrick’s Day. Tickets are $30 on Confluence's website.

When: March 17 at 9 a.m.

Where: 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines

Big Grove Brewery

The logo from Big Grove Brewery, now open in Sherman Hill in Des Moines.
The logo from Big Grove Brewery, now open in Sherman Hill in Des Moines.

Brunch Babes returns to Big Grove Brewery, hosted by drag performer Hazel Sanchez-Belle. Purchase a table for a party of up to four, six or eight and experience the St. Paddy’s Day Brunch Babes Party and bottomless mimosas. Tickets start at $40 online.

When: March 17 at 11 a.m.

Where: 555 17th St., Des Moines

Smash Park

Show off your beer pong skills with a Giant Beer Pong Tournament at Smash Park. Its St. Patrick’s Day party is an all-day event with a $49 open bar you may want to opt for if you plan to party hard.

When: March 16 at 10 a.m.

Where: 6625 Coach Light Drive, West Des Moines

Paws & Pints

Thrawn the Labradoodle, owned by Joshua Harris, strikes a pose during the Ugly Sweater Paw-ty with holiday canine fun at Paws & Pints at 6218 Willowmere Drive in Des Moines on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Thrawn the Labradoodle, owned by Joshua Harris, strikes a pose during the Ugly Sweater Paw-ty with holiday canine fun at Paws & Pints at 6218 Willowmere Drive in Des Moines on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.

Pets can participate in St. Patrick’s Day too at Paws & Pints. Head over for games and drink specials, including $3 domestics and $15 beer buckets.

When: March 17 at noon

Where: 6218 Willowmere Drive, Des Moines

Annie’s Irish Pub

Visit Annie’s Irish Pub for the St. Patty’s Day annual block party. Catch live music all day, including the Des Moines party band The Punching Pandas and groovy act Burnin’ Sensations.

When: March 16 starting at 8 a.m.

Where: 206 Court Ave., Des Moines

Des Moines Public Library

The Des Moines Public Library's Central location stands Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in downtown Des Moines. The library and their new social worker Ashlan Lippert work to provide assistant to community members through the community fridge, grab-and-go food, and the fast growing outreach program.
The Des Moines Public Library's Central location stands Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in downtown Des Moines. The library and their new social worker Ashlan Lippert work to provide assistant to community members through the community fridge, grab-and-go food, and the fast growing outreach program.

Enjoy hot chocolate and a performance from the Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance at Central Library after the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Des Moines.

When: March 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Where: 1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: St. Patrick's Day parade in Des Moines: When is it, what else to do