Luck is in the air! St. Patrick's Day celebrations and festivities are happening in Albany County all weekend long! From an unforgettable parade, to St. Paddy's Day parties, to restaurants serving up traditional Irish fare, there is plenty of merriment to look forward to. Scroll on for ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day all weekend long in Albany County.
Special Events
St. Patrick's Day Celebration at the Empire State Plaza
Date: March 12
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: Empire State Plaza
Before St. Patrick's Day festivities kick off this weekend, enjoy a lunchtime celebration at Empire State Plaza on Wednesday! This free event features live music, traditional Irish dance, Irish fare, displays from the Irish American Heritage Museum and a variety of vendors.
North Albany Limerick's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Date: March 15
Time: Starts at 11:30 AM
Location: North Albany American Legion Post- 35 North 1st Street, Albany
if you're looking to attend a parade before the Albany parade, make sure to stop by the North Albany Limerick's St. Patrick's Day Parade! North Albany originated as an all-Irish neighborhood and was known as "Limerick USA." The North Albany Limerick's St. Patrick's Day Parade started in 1950 and has only been canceled one time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This parade kicks off at the North Albany Legion Post at 11:30 AM on March 15th. This parade follows the parade day mass and reception at Blessed Sacrament Church/ School.
Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 2 PM
Location: Parade steps off from the corner of Central Ave and Lexington Ave
Dress from head-to-toe in green and head to downtown Albany with your family and friends for the celebration. As the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Upstate New York, there is tons of festive fanfare including Irish pipers, step dancers, decorated floats, and marching bands. The festive parade steps off at 2 PM and can be viewed from anywhere along Central Avenue or lower Washington Avenue.
Interested in making it an all-day affair? Parade day begins at 9 AM with a traditional Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church followed by a reception with music, Irish breads, coffee and tea.
St. Patrick's Day Parade Party at the Albany Armory
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 12 PM to 6 PM
Location: Washington Avenue Armory
Secure one of the best spots to watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade at the Washington Avenue Armory! At this viewing party, enjoy your choice of a hot corned beef sandwich or pastrami sandwich and your first drink included with the ticket price.
St. Patrick's Day at McGeary's Irish Pub
Date: March 15
Time: 11 AM
Location: McGeary's Irish Pub
Celebrate the spirit of the Irish at McGeary's Irish Pub. The cozy Irish pub is a locally-owned downtown Albany favorite serving up burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and more. Searching for a touch of Irish flair? Cheers with a Guinness Draught and order the Reuben! The pub will host live Irish music all day long to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Build a LEGO Leprechaun Trap!
Date: March 15
Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
Location: Cohoes Public Library
Families are invited to Cohoes Public Library on Saturday to craft their own LEGO Leprechaun trap! Will you be able to catch the leprechaun this year?
Parade Day 2025 at The Hollow
Date: March 15
Time: 12 PM
Location: The Hollow
Celebrate Parade Day at The Hollow in downtown Albany. Enjoy drink specials, delicious food, surprise giveaways, and a DJ. At 4 PM, local cover band Road Soda Pop with members of The Late Shift take over the stage in The Hollow's live music venue.
St. Patrick's Day Drag Brunch
Date: March 15
Time: Doors open 11 AM
Location: Nine Pin Cider
Start your day with a magically delicious drag brunch at Nine Pin Cider. Brought to you by Nine Pin and Typhoid Mary this event is free to attend!
Kevin McKrell Saint Patrick's Day Celebration
Date: March 15
Time: 7 PM
Location: The Egg
End your evening with the pioneer of American Celtic music, Kevin McKrell. Known across the country and across the sea for his blend of traditional Irish sound with contemporary folk music, his songs like "All the Hard Days are Gone" have been covered by several famed Celtic artists. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the upstate native artist this Saturday!
Pipers Mass
Date: March 16
Time: 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the second oldest cathedral in the state, behind St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and it was designed by an Irish American architect named Patrick Keely. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by stopping by the Cathedral for the Pipers Mass. Members of the Schenectady Pipe Band and the Cathedral choir will provide the music for the liturgy. Hospitality will follow the mass; all are welcomed to join.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration: Traditional Irish Music with Toss the Feathers
Date: March 16
Time: 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: New York State Museum
Head over to New York State Museum the day before St. Patrick's Day for an afternoon of traditional Irish music and songs by Toss the Feathers. Between songs the band will share stories and history of Irish music and heritage in the Albany area!
Bonus: Gaelic Storm
Date: March 28
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Head over to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall for a night of contemporary Irish music from internationally-recognized band Gaelic Storm. The band brings a repertoire that blends Irish-folk and classic Celtic music.
Places to Visit
Irish American Heritage Museum
Date: Open Wednesday through Sunday
Time: 11 AM to 4 PM
Location: 21 Quackenbush Square, Albany
Explore the history and heritage of Irish individuals in the US at the Irish American Heritage Museum. Exhibits include The Irish in America focusing on history and stories of Irish immigrants to the US, Samhain overviewing the Irish roots of Hallow'een, and view a Rare 15th Century Irish Chalice with fascinating history on display for a limited time at the museum.
Photo provided by ScotlandShop USA Inc
ScotlandShop USA
Date: Open Tuesday to Saturday
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Location: 678 Loudon Road, Latham
ScotlandShop opened its first base across the pond right here in Albany County! Located in Latham, the shop houses the full collection of Scottish clothing, accessories and interiors as well as measuring services for tailored garments. In celebration of the opening, ScotlandShop is gifting Albany County with its very own tartan (pictured above) to symbolize the re-strengthened bond between Albany County and Scotland. The colors are taken from the Albany County Seal, The Town of Colonie Seal & The City of Albany Flag, with the sett (design) inspired by the Stewart tartans in honor of the Duke of Albany, James Stuart. ScotlandShop aims to become a hub for local events and Scottish celebrations!
St. Patrick's Day Dining
Parade Day Specials at City Beer Hall
Date: March 15
Time: 10 AM to Close
Location: City Beer Hall
Enjoy brunch, dinner, or drinks at City Beer Hall all weekend long! Open 10 AM to 10 PM, the downtown Albany restaurant is celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a menu of Irish fare from an Irish smash burger to bangers and mash.
Grab the Pancake of the Month from Excelsior Pub
Date: March 16
Time: 11 AM to 4 PM
Location: Excelsior Pub
These green pancakes are the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Stop by Excelsior Pub for a delicious brunch featuring these tasty pistachio pancakes as the main course. The pub offers monthly themed pancakes every Sunday.
Trivia & Specials at O'Toole's Restaurant Pub
Date: March 15 & March 17
Time: Saturday, 11:30 AM to 2 PM | Monday, 11 AM to 8 PM
Location: O'Toole's Restuarant Pub
Go for gold during this Colonie-based Irish pub's Trivia Brunch on Saturday morning starting at 11:30 AM. Indulge in corned beef and cabbage all weekend long, Irish food specials, and $5 Guinness all day. On Saint Patrick's Day enjoy live music from 3 PM to 7 PM and giveaways!
St. Patrick's Day Dinner at The Century House
Date: Saturday, March 15 & Thursday, March 17
Time: 4:30 PM to 8 PM
Location: The Century House
Savor a traditional corned beef dinner from The Century House on Saturday, March 15 and Thursday, March 17! Choose from a full menu of traditional fare inside the charming restaurant while enjoying live Irish music.
St. Patrick's Day Specials at Olde English Pub & Pantry
Date: March 15 to March 17
Time: 11 AM to 10 PM
Location: Olde English Pub
Dine on special St. Patrick's Day fare at the Olde English Pub. Located in the second oldest building in Albany, the restaurant features delicious food from across the pond.
St. Patrick's Day Weekend at Wolff's Biergarten
Date: March 15 to March 17
Location: Wolff's Biergarten
Head over to Wolff's Biergarten for live music, drink specials, giveaways and more. Enjoy a meal of smoked corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots for $20
