First Timers
10:30 a.m. Hail a Ride to Dogtown
The parade route runs along Tamm from Oakland to Manchester and is less crowded towards the end of the route. Ask your driver to drop you off at Slim Chickens (if approaching from east or south) or Studio 89 (if approaching from north or west) and walk about 7 minutes to the parade route. Check out our FAQs to see a complete map of street closures.
10:45 a.m. Claim Your Parade Spot
11:00 a.m. Hold Your Ground!
To get a good spot, you’ve got to show up early! But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to entertain yourself while you wait for the parade to pass by. Make friends with your fellow parade-watchers, ask them if they live in Dogtown and where they recommend spending the rest of your day. Take turns holding your spot and sneaking off to some of the bars and vendors nearby.
Irish Culture Zone at St. James
St. James Bud Light Tent
Felix’s Pizza and Pub (satellite location at St. James)
Colombo’s Cafe and Tavern
12:00 p.m. Watch the Parade
The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and lasts about two hours. Assuming you’re stationed towards the back half of the route, you can expect to start to seeing floats around noon.
2:00 p.m. Venture to the Party Zone
Once the parade is over, make your way north up to Clayton and Tamm for the Bud Light Party Zone. This is the busiest area, but by 2:00 p.m. it will start to slow down. Grab a bite to eat from the local bars and restaurants (some may be satellite locations nearby their storefront), checkout the vendors and catch some Celtic-infused rock on the Heavy Riff Main Stage!
TBD Hail a Ride Home
We’re not sure how long you’ll last, but when it’s time to head home, head over to the ride-hailing area on Clayton near Crescent in the Zoo’s Frog Lot. From there you can call a ride and make it home safe and sound.
The Family Plan
9:00 a.m. Pay to Park at the Zoo Lot
Don’t forget to bring a printed or digital copy of the kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt!
9:30 a.m. Claim Your Parade Spot
Start looking for a parade spot as soon as you cross over the Tamm Avenue bridge (note: you can NOT spectate from the bridge, it is for food traffic only). Station one of your adults at your spot along the parade route.
10:00 a.m. Check out the Family Zone
Take the rest of the crew over to the Dogtown Pizza Family Zone and check out the fun activities and vendors stationed along Oakland (east of Tamm).
St. Louis Chess Club - Giant Chess
Gaelic Athletic Club - Gaelic Sports
St. Louis Public Schools - Games
Anna Garcia | Garcia Properties
5 on Your Side - Coloring Pages
Magic House - Craft
Rainbow Stiltwalkers
Missouri History Museum - Craft
Kathy Ann Duffin - Chalk Art
Missouri History Museum
Glitter Faces - Face Painting
10:30 a.m. Return to Your Parade Spot
The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and if you’re spot isn’t far from the Family Zone, then you’re at the beginning! Be sure to reconvene in plenty of time to see the parade get started.
11:00 a.m. Watch the Parade
[ OPTION 1 ]
11:30 a.m. Play in Turtle Park or Oakland Avenue Playground
Located in the grassy space between Oakland and the highway, are two fun kid-friendly parks where everyone can burn-off some energy before heading home for the day.
[ OPTION 2 ]
11:30 a.m. Make Your Way to St. James the Greater
If your kids are little older, consider venturing to the Irish Culture Zone at St. James at 6401 Wade (about a 10 minute walk). Since the parade is still going on, we highly recommend taking Graham up to Wade and avoiding the crowds on Tamm.
11:45 a.m. Enjoy Traditional Irish Food and Music
At St. James, you can enjoy live music by the Irish Aires and enjoy traditional Irish food, including the parish’s famous corned beef and cabbage dinner.
12:30 p.m. Head Home
All Out Irish
7:30 a.m. Start with a Solid Breakfast
Of course, you must have coffee and Bailey’s. Then go with a traditional Irish breakfast of bacon, eggs, potatoes, beans, toast and tomatoes OR keep it simple and have a bowl of Lucky Charms.
8:00 a.m. Get Ready
Tune in to your favorite Celtic/Irish playlist while you put on every green accessory and piece of clothing you own. If anyone in your household isn’t already wearing green, give them a pinch to start the day. Make sure you have a printed or digital copy of the St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt handy for the day!
8:30 a.m. Hail a Ride to Dogtown
I would warn you to steer clear of Clayton and Tamm…but we all know you’re locked in for the Bud Light Party Zone. Check out our FAQs to see a complete map of street closures and make sure your ride drops you off in a good spot (maybe at Courtesy Diner).
9:00 a.m. Check out the Party Zone
Welcome (back) to the Bud Light Party Zone! First things first, get your group together, grab a round of Guinnesses and toast with a “Sláinte!” Shop some of the local vendors, take note of the porta-potty locations and then make your way to Heavy Riff Main Stage for some classic rock covers.
9:30 a.m. Claim Your Parade Spot
Since you’re in the middle of the action, you’ll need to claim your spot early if you want a good view of the parade. While you wait, make friends with your fellow Irish-imposters, complain/compliment the weather and take turns holding your spot while a few of you get the next round of beers.
10:00 a.m. Try a Local Brew or Food
There are more local restaurants and bars in the Party Zone than you’ll know what to do with, although some may only be satellite locations nearby their storefront.
Heavy Riff Brewing Company
2nd Shift Brewing
Felix’s Pizza and Pub
Stone Turtle Restaurant
Seamus McDaniels
Tamm Avenue Bar
Hogtown Smokehouse
Sweet Em’s Coffee & Ice Cream
Fields Foods
11:30 a.m. Watch the Parade
The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and lasts about two hours. Assuming you’re stationed around Clayton and Tamm, you can expect to start to seeing floats around 11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m. Eat Lunch in the Irish Culture Zone
You said you wanted “all out Irish,” so make your way south on Tamm to St. James the Greater for the Irish Culture Zone. Here you can experience live music and dancing from Irish Aries, traditional Irish food, including the parish’s famous corned beef and cabbage dinner, and general merriment and enthusiasm.
2:00 p.m. Checkout the Main Stage
Make your way back to the Party Zone for Rusty Nail, a Celtic-infused rock band that will be taking the Heavy Riff Main Stage from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Hang out here, sampling local brews from the nearby Heavy Riff Brewing and making friends with visitors and locals alike.
TBD Hail a Ride Home
Make your way to our ride-hailing area on Clayton near Crescent in the Zoo’s Frog Lot and grab a safe ride home for the night.