Celebrate the green with St. Patrick’s Day events across southern Maine (2025)

On St. Patrick’s Day — and for several days leading up to it — we’re all at least a little bit Irish.

Allow us to add to your pot of gold with some St. Paddy’s events this weekend, and on the actual day.

Let’s get (Irish) jiggy with it!

BAILEY’S MISTAKE

7 p.m. Friday. Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland, $20 in advance, $23 at the door, $30 preferred seating, pay-what-you-can available. mayostreetarts.org.

Spend an evening with local band Bailey’s Mistake playing Celtic-inspired folk, ancient songs of the sea and music from Newfoundland, Ireland, Scotland and Maine. With guitar, bagpipes, bass and drums, you might find yourself twirling around the room. Bailey’s Mistake is bagpiper Travis Cote, singer and guitarist Troy R. Bennett, bassist Rob Babson and drummer Dean Clegg.

THE NAPPER TANDIES

7 p.m. Saturday. Watts Hall, 174 Main St., Thomaston, $20 in advance, $25 at the door. wattshallthomaston.com.

In the mood for some lively Irish folk music? Head to Thomaston for a spirited night of tunes by The Napper Tandies, who have been at it for 25 years. With piano accordion, banjo, bouzouki (string instrument), upright bass and vocals, the trio of Chris Brinn, Matt Smith and Randy Billings will be ready to help you paint the night green. You’ll hear songs from the likes of The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers and The Pogues, to name a few.

THE DAPPER GENTS: CLOVER AND COCKTAILS

8 p.m. Saturday. Top of the East at The Westin Hotel, 157 High St., Portland, $20, 21-plus. resy.com.

Pair your Irish cheer with cocktails and music, all with a terrific view. Local folk-rock band The Dapper Gents, with singer/guitarist Jacob McCurdy, cellist Danny Rand, Stu Gurley on upright bass and drummer/singer Jonathan Clement, will provide the perfect soundtrack. You can also enjoy delicious small plates and specialty drinks, as well as plenty of dancing. Sláinte!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Noon Sunday. Starts at Portland Fish Pier, Commercial St., Portland. maineirish.com.

The route for the Irish American Club’s Saint Patrick’s parade is along Commercial Street, from the Portland Fish Pier to Bell Buoy Park. You’ll see several marching groups, including the Irish American Club’s parade of flags, a pair of pipes and drum bands, the Stillson School of Irish Dance team, representatives from the U.S. Navy crew aboard the USS Gallagher and local police and fire departments. Wear everything green that you own, and get there early to secure a good spot.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

1-4 p.m. Sunday. Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St., Portland. maineirish.com.

When the parade wraps up, head to the Maine Irish Heritage Center to keep the celebration going. There will be food and drinks, including Guinness and Irish coffee, with music and performance by the Stillson School of Irish Dance. Tours will also be available, and there will be raffles and genealogy experts to help you dig into your Irish roots.

PADDY’S DAY PLUNGE

5:30 a.m. Monday, March 17. East End Beach, Portland, $25. paddys-day-plunge-2025.raiselysite.com.

A hearty breakfast awaits you after you run into the ocean for a good cause. The 23rd annual Paddy’s Day Plunge is presented by Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Portland. The event is a benefit for the Portland Fire Fighters Children’s Burn Foundation. All plunge participants will head to Ri-Ra at 72 Commercial St. for an Irish breakfast buffet that runs from 6-8 a.m. At 8 a.m. the doors open to the general public, and the festivities continue through midnight. Catch performances from the bands The Dapper Gents, Two Minutes Out and The Middlemen.

O’REILLY’S CURE

8 a.m. to close Monday, March 17. O’Reilly’s Cure Restaurant & Bar, 264 US Route 1, Scarborough. oreillyscure.com.

O’Reilly’s Cure celebrates Irish culture all year round, but especially on St. Patrick’s Day. They’ll be opening at 8 a.m. for breakfast, and throughout the day and evening, diners will be treated to step dancers, bag pipers and Irish music. There will also be special menu items including corned beef and sausage stew.

BYRNES IRISH PUB

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, March 17. Byrnes Irish Pub, 16 Station Ave. Brunswick and 38 Centre St., Bath. byrnesirishpub.com.

A guaranteed good Irish time is guaranteed at both locations of Byrnes Irish Pub. The Guinness will be flowing, and there will be plenty of giveaways, live music and food specials. Catch a performance by the Maine Public Safety Pipes and Drum Corps at noon in Brunswick and 3 p.m. in Bath.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEST END WALK

8:30 a.m. Monday,March 17. Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St., Portland. maineirish.com.

For those of you who are St. Patrick’s Day purists, the Maine Irish Heritage Center has events on the actual morning of the holiday. Meet at the center for a celebratory stroll through Portland’s West End, which includes an Irish flag raising at Harbor View Memorial Park. Then head back to the center for tea and Irish soda bread.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BAR CRAWL

5 p.m. Monday, March 17. Downtown Portland locations, $24.99 in advance, $29.99 day of, 21-plus. eventbrite.com.

Here’s a way to go all-in on Monday in Portland. The St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl kicks off at Porttown Public House on 123 Commercial St. From there you’ll jig your way over to at least three other bars and restaurants where exclusive drink specials and St. Paddy’s shenanigans await. A digital map will be your guiding light as you forge memories with friends, one sip at a time.