Everyone has the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Here are some fun family-friendly events happening for St. Patrick’s Day in the Rockford area AND adults-only events if you want to celebrate without the kids! This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on Friday, March 17, 2023 which means there will be festivities throughout the weekend.
Parades and Festivals
2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Rockford
Where: Downtown Rockford
DATE CHANGE
When: March 11, 2023
Parade starts at 3 pm from 7th Street
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place in downtown Rockford. The parade has a new route for 2023 that kicks off at the Rockford Public Schools Building on 7th Street, heads to Charles, to State, then right at Water Street before disbanding. Paddyfest has moved to The Standard (214 E. State St., Rockford, IL) this year! The State Street bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic and the Rock River will be dyed green!
Please note, there is a Kids Wrestling Tournament happening at the BMO Center all weekend long so expect traffic to be heavy in the downtown Rockford area, especially during the parade. Be sure to head out early to secure your spot.
Cost: Parade is free to view
Paddyfest is $10 per person (kids 14 and under are free). Get tickets here.
Paddyfest takes place on Saturday, March 11th from 4 pm – 7:30 pm at The Standard on State (214 E. State St., Rockford, IL). Entertainment includes The Tooles out of Madison, Wisconsin and Emerald Wind out of Beloit, Wisconsin. The event will be catered by Pinnon’s.
Here are the parade routes for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Family- Friendly Activities
Looking for some fun St. Patrick’s themed activities to do with your family? Check out these local events.
Leprechauns on the Loose in Rock County Parks
March 3 – 17, 2023 from dawn until dusk
Beckman Mill Park (11450 S. County Rd. H., Beloit, WI)
Carver-Roehl Park (4907 S Carvers Rock Rd., Clinton, WI)
Gibbs Lake Park (9103 West Gibbs Lake Rd., Janesville, WI)
Magnolia Bluff Park (4002 N Croak Rd., Evansville, WI)
Rock River Heritage Park (5801 N River Rd., Janesville, WI)
Sportsman’s Park (3411 North US Hwy 51, Janesville, WI)
Look for leprechuans in the listed Rock County parks. Find one or the pot of gold and take a selfie. end it to parks@co.rock.wi.us or the Rock County Parks Facebook messenger to enter into a drawing for a random prize.
CANCELED: St. Patrick’s Paint and Story Time at The Pottery Lounge
6059 E. State St., Rockford, IL
March 11, 2023 at 10 am
Cost: $15 per child
Kids ages 3-10 and their adult can enjoy a story about trapping leprechauns, have a snack, and paint a rainbow plate. Register here.
Janesville Shamrock 5K, 10K and 1 Mile Walk and Run at O’Riley and Conway’s Irish Pub
214 W. Milwaukee St., Janesville, WI
March 11, 2023 at 10:30 am
Cost: $40 per person
Participate in a 1 mile family walk, 5K, or 10K run. Get a free drink ticket and t-shirt with registration. There will also be a best dressed contest. Register here.
Cookies and Brews: Luck O’ The Irish at Kishwaukee Brewing Company
1900 Dillard Ct., Woodstock, IL
March 12, 2023 at 1 pm
Cost: $60 per person
Learn how to decorate cookies that are St. Patrick’s theme. Tickets include a free drink up to $10 value. Kids ages 10 and up are recommended. Get tickets here.
St. Patrick’s Special with Trinadora at Stockholm Inn
2420 Charles St., Rockford, IL
March 17, 2023 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Cost: Dinner cost
Listen to Celtic music and enjoy a corned beef and cabbage dinner. Call 815-397-3534 for reservations and mention you want to sit in the music area.
Talcott Teen Trivia: St. Patrick’s Day at Talcott Free Library
101 E. Main St., Rockton, IL
March 17, 2023 from 3:30 pm – 5 pm
Cost: Free
Kids in grades 6-12 can test their knowledge of St. Patrick’s Day and learn something new. Bring a mobile device to play. Register here.
Shamrock Beer Run 5K at Rockford Speedway
9572 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL
March 18, 2023 from 12 pm – 4 pm
Cost: $40 per person / $15 per person (Brewfest only)
Enjoy beer, running, and partying at the Rockford Speedway. This race benefits the Nikolas Ritschell Foundation. Register here.
Lucky Leprechaun Irish History Walking Tour of Janesville
69 S. River St., Janesville, WI
March 18, 2023 from 12 pm – 1 pm
Cost: $15 per person
Join Roaming O’Rich of Roam Around Tours for a one-hour tour that takes you to Ireland and Janesville. Get tickets here.
Irish Fest at Janesville Elks Lodge
2100 N. Washington, Janesville, WI
March 17, 2023 at 5 pm – 10 pm
Cost: $20 per adult / $10 for kids ages 12 and under
Enjoy an Irish Food Extravaganza featuring corned beef, cabbage, glazes carrots, and more. There will be music by Three Pints Gone and Irish Dancing by Isle of Erin Irish Dancers. There will also be raffles.
Irish Food
Want some authentic Irish grub? Here are some local places serving corned beef and cabbage and more!
Irish Fest at Janesville Elks Lodge
2100 N. Washington, Janesville, WI
March 17, 2023 at 5 pm – 10 pm
Cost: $20 per adult / $10 for kids ages 12 and under
Enjoy an Irish Food Extravaganza featuring corned beef, cabbage, glazes carrots, and more. There will be music by Three Pints Gone and Irish Dancing by Isle of Erin Irish Dancers. There will also be raffles.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Lunch at Cargill United Methodist Church
2000 Wesley Ave., Janesville, WI
March 12, 2023 at 1 pm
Cost: $15 per meal
Pick up a meal of corned beef cabbage, potatoes, carrots, soda bread and dessert. All proceeds go to Missions. Reservations are required. Call Diane Quade at 608-752-9397 by March 3rd to place your order.
Irish Dinner with 3 Pints Gone at Janesville Elks Lodge #254
2100 N. Washington St., Janesville, WI
March 17, 2023 at 7 pm
Cost: $25 per person
Enjoy an evening of Irish food and bagpipes. Proceeds go to the Police and Fire Department Chaplaincy.
Drafthouse
101 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville, WI
Bogey’s
1700 N. Washington St., Janesville, WI
Corned beef and cabbage served from 10 am until it’s gone.
Stockholm Inn
2420 Charles St., Rockford, IL
8th Ward Pub
3905 Broadway., Rockford, IL
March 14 – 17, there will be corned beef dinner, dip, reuben sandwiches, and more. There will be bagpipes on March 16th at 5:30 pm.
21 and Up Events
These St. Patrick’s events are for adults who are 21 and older. Get a sitter and enjoy some Guinness or a green beer!
St. Patrick’s Day Trivia Night at Fozzy’s Bar and Grill
6246 E. Riverside, Loves Park, IL
March 7, 2023 at 7 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Free
Test your knowledge of everything St. Pat’s. There will be gift card prizes.
Irish Comedy Tour at Janesville Performing Arts Center
408 S. Main St., Janesville, WI
March 10, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Cost: $25 per person
The Irish Comedy Tour takes the party atmopshere of an Irish pub and combines with a band of jokers. Get tickets here.
The X 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Day .1K at Jax Pub
4160 N. Perryville Rd., Loves Park, IL
March 11, 2023 from 11 am – 1 pm
Cost: $25 per person
Run .1K to support Rock House Kids. Sign up by March 1st to guarentee your shirt. Register here.
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Oliver’s Bar and Grill
228 Main St., Woodstock, IL
March 11, 2023 from 11 am – 11 pm
Cost: Free admisssion
Enjoy live music indoors all day and no cover charge. There will be Irish food and drink specials.
Shamrocked at Woodstock Square
226 N. Benton St., Woodstock, IL
March 11, 2023 from 1 pm – 10 pm
Cost: $20 per person
Listen to live music all day under the tents in the Streets of Woodstock. Four bands will be playing.
Four Leaf Fest at O’Riley and Conway’s Irish Pub
214 W. Milwaukee St., Janesville, WI
March 11, 2023 from 7 pm – 11 pm
Enjoy green beer and good cheer.
St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl in Downtown Rockton
March 11, 2023 from 7 pm – 1 am
Dress in green and pub crawl through Rockton collecting stamps for prizes. Participating bars include Rockton Inn Pub, Rookies, Fibs, Pokies, Al’s Main Street Tap, and AM Legion.
St. Patty’s Party Featuring Pat McCurdy at The Looking Glass
18 N. Main St., Janesville, WI
March 17, 2023 from 11 am – 3 am
Enjoy music from Pat McCurdy at 3 pm.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at O’Riley and Conway’s Irish Pub
214 W. Milwaukee St., Janesville, WI
March 17, 2023 from 2 pm – 6 pm
Enjoy green beer and good cheer and party with the Brothers Quinn.
St. Patrick’s Day at Kishwaukee Brewing Company
1900 Dillard Ct., Woodstock, IL
March 17, 2023 from 4 pm – 8 pm
Try some corned beef tacos, food and beer.
St. Patty’s Day at Mulligan’s Pub
2212 N. Main St., Rockford, IL
March 17, 2023 from 5 pm – 9 pm
Eat some corned beef and cabbage and enjoy drink specials.
St. Patty’s Day Party at Rockton Inn Pub
102 E. Main St., Rockton, IL
March 17, 2023 from 7 pm – 2 am
Enjoy green beer, dancing, and fun.
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