St. Patrick’s Day in the Adirondacks: Parades, Pub Crawls, and Irish Cheer
Every March, a splash of emerald green spreads across the Adirondacks. Shamrocks appear in shop windows, fiddles strike up lively reels, and communities from Old Forge to Lake George celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with unmistakable North Country flair.
While the holiday honors Irish heritage, in the Adirondacks it has evolved into something broader: a joyful excuse to gather after a long winter, reconnect with neighbors, and welcome the first hints of spring. Whether it’s a spirited parade down Main Street, a road bowling match on a quiet country lane, or a ceilidh echoing through a town hall, the region knows how to celebrate.
Here are some of the best St. Patrick’s Day events happening across the Adirondacks this year.
Adirondack parades bring out the green.
Few traditions capture the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day quite like a parade. In the Adirondacks, these community celebrations blend Irish pride with small-town charm.
People line Adirondack streets for annual St. Patrick’s Day Parades.
The Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks things off on March 13 with floats, music, and plenty of festive costumes marching down Main Street. Locals line the sidewalks bundled in winter coats and green hats, cheering as bagpipes echo through the Fulton Chain.
In the Tri-Lakes region, the Saranac Lake St. Patrick’s Day Parade fills downtown with Irish dancers, civic groups, fire departments, and colorful floats. Organized by the Saranac Lake Irish Gaelic Organization, the parade celebrates the community’s heritage and welcoming spirit.
Farther south, the Chestertown St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings festive energy to the southern Adirondacks. Expect creative floats, enthusiastic marchers, and a lively crowd celebrating along the route.
The Lake George Village St. Patrick’s Day Parade adds a lakeside twist to the festivities. Visitors gather along Canada Street as marching bands, dancers, and community groups bring a wave of green to one of the Adirondacks’ most popular destinations.
Irish music, dancing, and classic Celtic traditions.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Adirondacks often lean into traditional Irish music and culture.
One highlight is the Long Lake Celtic Ceilidh, a lively gathering that blends music, dance, and community participation. Musicians perform Celtic favorites, and the afternoon often includes an open jam session that welcomes players to join the stage.
Luck of the Irish.
In Saranac Lake, Celtic Karaoke offers a playful spin on the holiday. Participants belt out Irish classics and pub favorites in a festive setting that blends the energy of live music with good-natured fun.
Meanwhile, the Ticonderoga St. Patrick’s Day Celebration brings Irish spirit to the Lake Champlain region with live music, festive food, and plenty of green attire.
These events showcase the Adirondacks’ ability to blend cultural tradition with a distinctly local sense of humor.
Adirondack twists on Irish games and outdoor fun.
The Adirondacks rarely celebrate anything without getting outdoors.
One of the most unusual and beloved events is Irish Road Bowling in Indian Lake. Teams roll iron balls—known as “bullets”—along a winding country road, navigating hills, curves, and obstacles. The goal is simple: reach the finish in the fewest throws.
Despite the quirky premise, the event attracts hundreds of participants and spectators each year. It’s equal parts athletic competition, roadside spectacle, and community party.
For runners, the Shamrock Shuffle in Glens Falls offers another way to celebrate. The race draws participants in green costumes and festive attire, creating a spirited atmosphere as runners wind through the city streets.
Both events prove that St. Patrick’s Day in the Adirondacks isn’t just about pubs—it’s also about embracing the outdoors.
The fine art of Irish Road Bowling on display in Indian Lake.
Pub parties and festive nightlife.
Of course, no St. Patrick’s celebration would be complete without a visit to the pub.
In Tupper Lake, St. Patrick’s Day at P-2’s Irish Pub has earned a reputation as one of the biggest parties in the region. The pub fills with music, laughter, and a sea of green-clad revelers eager to celebrate the holiday.
Lake George Village hosts multiple events throughout the week. The Sham Rock the Block Party transforms Amherst Street into a lively street celebration, complete with music, drinks, and a festival atmosphere that feels a bit like Dublin’s famous Temple Bar district.
Visitors can also join the Lake George St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, which connects several popular bars and restaurants throughout the village. Participants receive drink specials, shuttle transportation between stops, and a festive evening of socializing.
Together, these events turn Lake George into one of the Adirondacks’ most energetic St. Patrick’s Day destinations.
Why St. Patrick’s Day feels different in the Adirondacks.
Part of what makes St. Patrick’s Day in the Adirondacks so memorable is the timing.
By mid-March, winter still lingers in the mountains. Snowbanks line village streets, and ski season remains in full swing. Yet the days grow longer, and the first hints of spring begin to appear.
The holiday arrives at the perfect moment—when locals are ready to celebrate, shake off cabin fever, and enjoy the community spirit that defines Adirondack life.
Looking for treasure in early spring in the Adirondacks.
Small towns embrace the occasion wholeheartedly. Local businesses decorate their storefronts. Restaurants add Irish specials to their menus. Residents greet visitors like old friends.
For travelers, the result feels authentic and welcoming. For locals, it’s simply another reason to gather and celebrate the place they call home.
Whether it’s cheering at a parade, rolling a bowling ball down a mountain road, or raising a pint with friends, St. Patrick’s Day in the Adirondacks delivers a celebration that’s equal parts Irish tradition and Adirondack charm.
And for one festive week each March, everyone in the mountains becomes just a little bit Irish.
Old Forge is going green on March 13. Join the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 5:30 PM on Main Street and celebrate Adirondack-style.
Sing your shamrocks off at the Celtic Karaoke when Knotty Paddy takes over the Great Hall at Hotel Saranac for a high-energy St. Patrick’s celebration in the Tri-Lakes.
Roll into St. Patrick’s season with Irish Road Bowling in Indian Lake! Teams, costumes, camaraderie — and a 28-ounce “bullet” flying down Pelon Road.
Saranac Lake goes full shamrock mode for its annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, complete with bagpipers, floats, fire trucks, and Clan pride marching through downtown.
Chestertown is going green (again). The 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns March 14 at 2 pm with bagpipers, fire trucks, and full-on Adirondack charm.
Live Irish music, a downtown soup stroll, pub pop-ups, and family fun — Shades of Green brings the luck of the Irish to the Adirondacks on Saturday, March 14.
Go the extra mile for a great cause. The Shamrock Shuffle returns to Glens Falls with a fast 5-mile race and kids’ Leprechaun Leap—all to benefit Project: Cameron’s Story.
Lace up and run.→
Celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend Adirondack-style at the Long Lake Celtic Ceilidh. Enjoy live Celtic music, an open jam session, and contra dancing.
Don’t jig past this one. →
Lake George goes green on March 15 at 1 pm. Don’t miss festive floats, pipe bands, and shamrock spirit in the heart of the village.
This celebration is sham-rockin’. →
Lake George goes full Irish for Sham “Rock” the Block at Duffy’s Tavern. Live music and fire pits make this Adirondack celebration one lucky weekend.
Sham rock it. →
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Lake George way with a festive pub crawl through the village’s best bars.
Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day at P-2’s Irish Pub. Doors open at 12 pm for live music, festive décor, and the “Party of the Year” at this beloved Adirondack pub.
Join the fun. →
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