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 10-11, 2012, 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 $16, 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
Bad Arm - Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer
Máire Clerkin's one-woman dramedy about being English in Ireland, Irish in England and a pink-haired punk in a grey city.When: Friday, March 16, 2012 8 pm
Where: Theatre Asylum Lab, 1078 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cost: $15, Discount Tickets
Info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234031
South Bay St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
The annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Hermosa Beach.When: March 24, 2012, 11 am Postponed from March 17 due to weather
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.hbchamber.net
St. Patrick's Day at L.A. Live
Live Irish music and beer are the centerpieces of this St. Paddy's Day celebration at Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live. Bands include Sligo Rags, The Hollywood Stones and Oxalis featuring Swan Montgomery. All three concerts are included in entrance.When: Saturday, March 17, 2012 3-8 pm
Where: Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live
Cost: Free
Info: http://lalive.com/stpattys
Shamrock ‘n’ Roll Aboard the Queen Mary
The inaugural all-ages St. Patrick's Day celebration on the Queen Mary will feature three simultaneous concerts at different venues aboard the ship.When: Saturday, March 17, 2012 6 pm to midnight
Where: Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
Cost: $15 plus parking
Info: http://www.queenmary.com/St-Patricks-Day.aspx
Vox Femina From Shakespeare to Shamrocks
From classical works to folk songs, celebrate England, Scotland and Irelands many traditions old and new. The English and Irish are joined in song as Vox Femina celebrates the Bard of Avon and St. Patricks Day for a bi-cultural evening of classic Shakespeare sonnets and a wee bit of authentic Irish music sung in Gaelic.When: March 17, 2012 8 pm
Where: Zipper Hall at the Colburn School, 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012
Cost: $25-35, Discount Tickets
Info: www.voxfeminala.org
St. Patrick's Day Festival
All afternoon beer, wine, spirits and food tastings accompanied by Irish music and dance at the The Factory in West Hollywood.When: March 17, 2012 2 pm
Where: The Factory, 652 N La Peer, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Cost: $35-65
Info: stpattysfest.com, 213-915-8003
OC Marketplace St. Patrick's Day Festival
The annual St. Patrick's Day festivities at the Orange County Marketplace include Irish dancers and musicians during this weekly swap meet at the Orange County Fairgrounds.When: Sunday, March 17, 2012, Festival 9 am - 3:30 pm, swap meet 7 am - 4 pm
Where: The Orange County Fairgrounds, FWY (55) and Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, CA
Cost: $2, children under 12 free
Parking: General parking is free, priority parking for a fee
Info: www.ocmarketplace.com
Solas at Carpenter Performing Arts Center
An evening with American Celtic band Solas at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.When: Saturday, March 17, 2012, 8 pm
Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815
Cost: $35
Parking: Paid parking lot
Info: www.carpenterarts.org
St. Patrick's Day Festival at One Colorado in Pasadena
A St. Patrick's Day festival with children's crafts, Irish dancers and live music at the One Colorado shopping and entertainment complex.When: March 17, 2012 11 am and 8 pm
Where: 1 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
Cost: Free
Info: www.onecolorado.com
St. Paddy’s Old Town Treasure Hunt
A St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt through Old Town Pasadena in conjunction with Old Town Pub. Participants must be 21 and over. Start location will be revealed to participants upon sign up.When: March 17, 2012 11 am and 2 pm
Where: Old Town Pasadena
Cost: $25
Info: www.outoftheboxevents.com
Erin Go Brown With the Mexican Pogues
LA's best Latino Irish tribute band, Ollin, celebrates their 10th Annual St. Patrick's Day Tribute to The Pogues by playing "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash" in its entirety plus other Pogues and Ollin Classics.When: Saturday March 17, 2012, doors open at 8:30 pm, 21+
Where: The Satellite, 1717 Silverlake Blvd Los Angeles 90026
Cost: $10.00
Parking: street parking, valet parking
Info: www.thesatellitela.com/event/91423/, (323) 661-4380
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. If you don't care that the bars aren't Irish, you can also check out the 2-day St. Patrick's Day Hollywood Pub Crawl that starts at the Pig 'N Whistle or the St. Patrick's Day Beer Festival at the Egyptian Theatre.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.
