St. Patrick's Day in LA 2008

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, except in LA. With a few exceptions, most of the Irish festivities in Los Angeles in March will be over before the official day dawns. But you can be Irish all month with these activities.

Before St. Patrick's Day

LA County Irish Fair and Music Festival

The biggest Irish event of the month, the LA County Irish Fair and Music Festival in Pomona, is the weekend before St. Patrick's Day.( This should not be confused with the Great American Irish Fair, which takes place in June in Irvine.) The event includes carnival rides, historic re-enactors, several stages of Irish music from rock to trad, dance performances and social dancing, casual and fine dining, Irish and other Celtic product vendors, a petting zoo, sheep herding demonstrations and Highland-style games. When: March 8-9, 2008, 10 am - 6 pm
Where: The Fairplex in Pomona, 1101 West Mc Kinley Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766
Cost: Adults $18, Seniors 55+ and Students with ID $14, 2-Day Pass $28, Children 11 and under are free.
Parking: Additional fee for parking
Metro: There are MetroLink trains from Union Station to the Fairplex
Info: 310-537-4240, www. la-irishfair.com
LA County Irish Fair Photo Gallery

South Bay St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival

The annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Hermosa Beach is under new management for 2008 with the City taking over.There will still be a parade and music stage, but the vendor booths and carnival may not be there, and the event is reduced to Saturday only, instead of the whole weekend.
When: March 15, 2008, Saturday parade 11 am, festival until 5 pm
Where: The intersection of Pier and Valley drive, west to Hermosa Avenue then South on Hermosa to 9th Street. Festival at Pier Plaza
Cost: Free
Parking: Metered street parking. Obey posted signs.
Info: www.stpatricksday.org

Thistle and Shamrock: California Philharmonic Pays Tribute to Celtic Culture

The California Philharmonic will present a program of Celtic-influenced music from Ireland and Scotland at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, assisted by the Cabar Feidh pipe band and featuring Celtic dancers.
When: March 15, 2008, 8 pm
Where: The Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105
Cost: $30-$95
Parking: $10 in the underground parking structure
Info: www.calphil.org

On St. Patrick's Day

Los Angeles St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick's Day Parade through downtown Los Angeles will take place the Friday before St. Patrick's Day from Pershing Square to El Pueblo Historic Site at Olvera Street. It's a relatively small parade with musical festivities at both ends. There is usually an Irish band playing at Pershing Square throughout the day and when the parade gets to Olvera Street, there are speeches by dignitaries and Irish music and dance performances in the Gazebo.
When: Monday, March 17, 2008, 11:30 am from Pershing Square,
Where: From Pershing Square to Olvera Street
Cost: Free
Parking: Parking under Pershing Square, metered street parking
Metro: Red Line to Pershing Square, Civic Center or Union Station (Olvera Street), Gold Line to Union Station
Info: www.lafd.org/stpats.htm

Best Irish Pubs, Bars and Food in LA

On the one night you would expect to hear Irish music in Irish bars, many of the Southland's best Irish bands take off to play St. Patrick's Day gigs in other parts of the country leaving many of the LA Irish pubs that usually have Irish music with extra space to pack in more of the drinking public. However you can still find some venues with live music or other St. Paddy's day activities in the Guide to Irish Bars and Pubs in LA.

For information on St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Ireland and elsewhere, visit Ireland Guide Bernd Biege's page on St. Patrick's Day Around the World. This information was accurate at the time of publication. Please check with venues for the most current information.