Are you feeling lucky? There are plenty of ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greater Des Moines this year. Grab your green attire (you don’t want to get pinched!) and take in some Irish festivities. From corned beef to green beer, there are plenty of ways to spread some St. Patrick’s Day cheer!


Activities 
 

Smash Park

What: DIY Leprechaun Gnomes
When: 10 a.m. – Noon Saturday, March 13
Why: Get an early start on the St. Patrick’s Day festivities at Smash Park. Create your own leprechaun friend to take home with you.

What: St. Pat’s Dodgeball Tournament
When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13
Why: Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and drink at the St. Pat’s Co-Ed Dodgeball Tournament during Smash Park’s St. Patrick’s Day Open Bar Party. Show up in 90’s attired and get ready to battle it out for the top spot. This is a 21 and over event. COVID protocols will be in place for the event.


Blank Park Zoo

What: Shamrocks & Shells
When: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17
Why: Party with the animals at Blank Park Zoo and leave the kids at home. Enjoy indoor and outdoor viewing of animals, chats with keepers, cold drinks, food from Street Eats DSM, St. Patrick’s Day themed trivia, and live music. This is a socially distanced event and masks will be required unless you are eating or drinking.

Des Moines St. Paddy’s Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K

What: 5th Annual St. Paddy’s Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K
When: Sunday, March 21
Why: Run a marathon, half marathon, or 5K in-person or virtually. Runners who participate in person will be released in a time-trial start with limited touchpoints at the event. Participants get some awesome St. Paddy’s finisher gear!

Warrior Lanes

What: St. Patrick’s Family Glow Bowling
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 21
Why: Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly bowling with glow-in-the-dark bowling, concert lights, and black lights. Bowlers get two hours of bowling, shoes, large pizza, and pitcher of soda. We’re in!

 

Food and Drink 
 

Americana

What: St. Paddy Brunch
When: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 17
Why: Bombshell Brunch. Enough said.

Gilroy’s

What: All You Care to Eat Weekend Brunch
When: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17
Why: Dig into brunch and bottomless Bloody Mars, Mimosas, and Screwdrivers at Gilroy’s Kitchen in West Des Moines. At 2 p.m. get your hands on their corned beef Rueben sandwich and Irish beef stew made with Guinness! Sit inside or enjoy their patio! 


Founders Irish Pub

What: Saint Patrick’s Day
When: Wednesday, March 17
Why: The festivities start sun up to sun down at Founders Irish Pub in Bondurant. Get the morning started off with greens eggs and ham for breakfast. They’ll be serving up corned beef and cabbage all day. And get this, green beer!

Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery

What: St. Paddy Day
When: Wednesday, March 17
Why: Kick off St. Patrick’s Day with brunch beginning at 9 a.m. at Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery in Ankeny. During your lunch fix, enjoy a guitar and fiddler duo, Ed Kelly and Tom Shadonix. The tunes keep coming as Mackenzie Highlanders Pips & Drums of Iowa will perform followed by Kelly’s Clan Irish Acoustic Craic.

Sullys Irish Pub

What: St. Pat’s Party
When: 8 – 2 a.m. Wednesday, March 17
Why: Get your Irish food fix at Sully’s Irish Pub in West Des Moines. They are serving up corned beef and cabbage, as well as brats, burgers, and chips beginning at 10 a.m., until it’s gone. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Share your Des Moines St. Patrick's Day experience with us on social media using our hashtag #CATCHdsm for a chance to be featured on our social channels!