🍀 Boulder’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations: The Shortest Parade, the Biggest Party! 🎶☘️ | | 🎉 Happy St. Paddy’s Day, Boulder! 🌞 | Boulder is turning green this weekend with St. Paddy’s Day celebrations, live music, beer gardens, and even a puppy parade—because why not? 🍻🐶 Whether you’re looking for a lively night out, a scenic day hike before the festivities, or the best local breweries to raise a pint, we’ve got your weekend plans covered. | And if you’re visiting, this Boulder travel guide will help you make the most of your trip—from exploring Boulder’s neighborhoods to checking out MICHELIN-recommended restaurants. | So grab your green gear, make a game plan, and get ready to celebrate—Boulder style! 🍀🎶 | — The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 😉 | | 🍀 Boulder’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations | | | St. Patrick’s Day in Boulder is anything but ordinary. From the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it parade to beer gardens, live music, and even a puppy costume contest, this weekend is packed with festive fun. Here’s your guide to celebrating, Boulder-style. | 🍀 The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade | | Boulder’s take on a St. Paddy’s parade is, well… compact. But what it lacks in length, it makes up for in energy! Expect: | 🍀 Irish dancers tapping their hearts out 🎶 Bagpipers bringing the Celtic vibes 🐕 Majestic Irish wolfhounds stealing the show 🚲 Boulder’s famous cruiser bikes adding a local touch 🪑 The Paddy ‘O Drill Team (yes, that’s a lawn chair drill team) It may be short, but trust us—it’s a must-see.
| 🍺 Beer Garden & Live Entertainment | 📍 Pearl Street | 🕛 After the parade - 6 PM | Once the parade wraps up, the real party begins! Stick around for: | 🍻 A fantastic beer selection (because what’s St. Patrick’s Day without a pint?) | 🌮 Food trucks serving up local & Irish-inspired bites | 🎶 Live music to keep the party going all afternoon | 🎭 Green-clad revelers bringing the energy | Raise a pint, enjoy some live tunes, and celebrate the Irish way! | | 🍳 Green Eggs & Ham Day | 📍 Cassiopeia Café | 📅 Sunday, March 16 | 🕘 Yoga at 9 AM | Brunch & Shopping after | A Boulder twist on St. Paddy’s Day—start with a free yoga class before indulging in a green egg & pork belly sandwich. Bonus: Check out merch from local ski brand Hoohah. |
| 🐶 Puppy Parade & Costume Contest | 📍 Boulder Social (Arapahoe & 38th St.) | 📅 Saturday, March 15 | 🕛 Check-in at 11 AM | Parade at 1 PM | Yes, you read that right—Boulder is hosting a puppy parade. Bring your leashed, friendly pup in their best St. Paddy’s gear and join the fun! 🐕💚 | 💰 $10 donation per dog goes to POSO Dog Rescue, plus you’ll get a complimentary beer for your generosity. | | | 🏃♂️ Lucky Leprechaun 5K | 📍 Twisted Pine Brewing Company | 📅 Sunday, March 16 | 🕘 Race starts at 9 AM | Work up an appetite for that post-run pint! The Lucky Leprechaun 5K is all about fun, featuring: | 🎶 Live Irish music from Avourneen | 💃 Irish step dancers from McTeggart Irish Dancers | 🌯 Post-race breakfast burritos & beer (you earned it!) | Grab your greenest running gear and hit the course! |
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| 🍻 Ready to Celebrate? | Put on your best green, gather your friends, and enjoy the weekend! Whether you’re toasting with a Guinness, running for the beer, or dressing your dog as a leprechaun, Boulder has something for everyone. | ☘️ Sláinte! See you at the parade (if you don’t blink and miss it 😉)! | 🍴 Discover Boulder’s Best Restaurants here. | ⭐ Explore Boulder’s MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants here. | 🛏️ Visiting friends or family in town? Share our guide to Boulder’s Best Hotels here. | | 🏔️ Boulder Trivia Time! | | 🎬 Boulder International Film Festival: March 13-16 | | Between the St. Paddy’s fun, don’t miss BIFF, one of the coolest film festivals in the world! From indie gems to Oscar-worthy films, this four-day event is a cinephile’s dream. | 📍 Main Venue: Boulder Theater 🎥 Catch films before they hit the big leagues 🎤 Meet filmmakers & industry pros at Q&As 🎉 Legendary BIFF parties & events
| Whether you’re here for the Guinness or the great films, Boulder has something for everyone this weekend! 🍀🎬 |
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| | 🎶 What’s Happenin’ Boulder: Weekend Buzz 🎭 | 🎵 Friday, March 14 | 💰 Free Events | 🎨 Bending the Arc Exhibit Opening Reception – Explore art focused on equality & social justice. @ Museum of Boulder, 4-6 p.m. (Free) | 🍹 College Night – Cheap drinks, good vibes. Just show your student ID! @ Avanti F&B, 9-11 p.m. (Recurring Fridays, Free) | 💵 Ticketed Events | 🎭 Matilda the Musical – Roald Dahl’s classic comes to life. @ Boulder High School, 7 p.m. ($15 adults, $10 students) | 🎨 Open Wall 2025 – Local artists showcase & sell their work. @ BMoCA, 6-9 p.m. (Pay What You Want) |
| 🌿 Saturday, March 15 | 💰 Free Events | 🚶♂️ CU Main Campus Stroll: Paths, Buildings & Notable Trees – A guided campus walk. @ University of Colorado, 9-11 a.m. (Free) | 🛍️ Saturday Market – Local vendors, food, and community. @ The Riverside, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Recurring Saturdays, Free) | 👰 Boulder Brides of March – A wedding dress bar crawl because why not? @ Pearl Street, 8-11:45 p.m. (Free) | 💵 Ticketed Events | 🎭 The Pirates of Penzance – Swashbuckling comedy meets opera. @ CU, 7 p.m. ($15+) | 🎶 An Evening with Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – Scottish fiddle meets cello magic. @ eTown Hall, 7-9:30 p.m. ($35-$50) | 🎭 Boulder Ballet School Storybook: “The Journey of the Country Mouse” – A charming children’s ballet. @ Dairy Arts Center, 6:30-7:30 p.m. ($26 adults, $16 kids) | 🎤 Dairy Comedy in the Boe – Featuring comedian Al Jackson. @ Dairy Arts Center, 8:30-10 p.m. ($15) | 🎸 G. Love & Special Sauce – A night of blues, hip-hop, and funk. @ Fox Theatre, 8 p.m. ($39.50-$45) | 🎶 The Wellermen – Sea shanties & folk music. @ Velvet Elk Lounge, 8-11 p.m. ($25) |
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| 🎟️ Sunday, March 16 | 💰 Free Events | 🏃♂️ Lucky Leprechaun 5K – Run, drink, repeat. @ Twisted Pine Brewing, 10 a.m. (Free) | 🍀 Lá Fhéile Pádraig - A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Irish music, dance & food. @ The Riverside, 2-7 p.m. (Free) | 💵 Ticketed Events | 🎶 Mariee Siou in Concert – Dreamy folk vibes. @ eTown Hall, 7-9:30 p.m. ($20-$35) | 🎸 Sue Foley – Women of Blues – A blues legend takes the stage. @ Roots Music Project, 7-9 p.m. ($35-$40) | 📅 With so much happening this weekend, which event are you most excited for? Let us know! 🎶🍻 | | 🌤️ Boulder Weather Outlook | Friday, March 14 – AM Showers 🌧️ | High: 53°F | Low: 29°F | 🌬 NW 19 mph | A wet and breezy start to the weekend, but expect skies to clear later in the day. | Saturday, March 15 – Partly Cloudy ⛅ | High: 51°F | Low: 33°F | 🌬 NW 14 mph | Cool but dry—ideal for outdoor St. Patrick’s Day festivities (or a cozy pub stop). | Sunday, March 16 – Mostly Sunny ☀️ | High: 65°F | Low: 41°F | 🌬 W 14 mph | Finally, some real spring vibes! Great day for a patio beer or a sunny hike. | Monday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day!) – Partly Cloudy ⛅ | High: 75°F | Low: 47°F | 🌬 WSW 16 mph | Warmest day of the week—if you’re celebrating, expect Boulder to be thriving outdoors! | 🍻 Weekend Tip: The chilly start makes Friday perfect for a warm drink indoors, but by Sunday and Monday, it’s all about soaking up the sunshine! 🌞 | | 🌿 Outro: The Answer + A Fun Fact! | | If you guessed 45%, you’re spot on! ✅ Nearly half of Boulder’s land is designated as Open Space and Mountain Parks, ensuring breathtaking views, endless hiking trails, and protected natural habitats for generations to come. | Fun Fact: Boulder was the first city in the U.S. to tax itself to preserve open space back in 1967. Today, the city’s 46,000+ acres of open space provide locals and visitors with some of the best outdoor recreation in the country. Check out Boulder’s best hikes here! | That’s a wrap for this week! Whether you’re hitting the trails, exploring Boulder’s top restaurants, or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy the weekend and soak up everything Boulder has to offer! 🍀🌄 | — The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 🏔️🐝 |
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