DUBLIN, Calif. — The City of Dublin will celebrate everything Irish at its annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The event includes a two-day festival, 5K Shamrock Fun Run and Walk, Shamrock Gala, Firefighters Pancake Breakfast, and St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The festivities begin with the Dublin Historical Society’s 5th annual Shamrock Gala on Friday, March 13, at 6:00 p.m., at the Shannon Community Center (11600 Shannon Avenue). This 21+ event will feature dinner, music, and dancing, as well as a silent auction. Tickets are $95 and can be purchased at www.dublinhistoricalsociety.org . The Dublin City Council, representatives from Bray, Ireland, and many others will join for an evening of fun kicking off St. Patrick’s weekend in Dublin.
On Saturday, March 14, from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m., revelers can start their morning with a big stack of hot, green pancakes served fresh off the griddle at the Annual Firefighters Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station #16 (7494 Donohue Drive). Breakfast also includes sausages, juice, and coffee. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $5 per person. All proceeds benefit the Alameda County Firefighters Association-Local 55 Charity Fund, which supports local non-profit and community-based organizations.
Following the pancake breakfast, the Dublin Rotary Club will present the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Dublin Boulevard and Amador Plaza Road. From there, the parade continues east on Dublin Boulevard, north on Village Parkway, and west on Amador Valley Boulevard, ending near the Dublin Senior Center. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to watch from along the parade route. The parade features more than 60 entries including festive marching bands and floats, Irish bagpipes, classic cars, dance troupes, equestrians, local dignitaries, and more.
The St. Patrick’s Day Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center (100 Civic Plaza). Highlights include three stages of authentic Irish music and dance; an Irish Marketplace; an Irish Tea Cottage; Irish food and beverages; arts and crafts vendors; and a carnival.
- Entertainment at the festival includes multiple stages featuring a wide variety of music, from high-energy Celtic rock to traditional Irish pub sounds. Main Stage performers include Cali Celtic, Tempest, and Wild Thyme Larks. The Pub Stage features Avalon Rising, Stout Rebellion, and Golden Bough. In the Irish Tea Cottage, guests can enjoy performances by Extended Roots, Avalon’s Well, and LeperKhanz.
- The Irish Tea Cottage offers tea, shortbread, scones, and live music in a cozy setting. Admission is $7 per person and includes a commemorative mug, tea, and pastries.
- The Irish Marketplace will feature unique Celtic artwork, Irish tartans, hand knit wool sweaters, shawls, beautiful Celtic jewelry, and more. Other vendors will include arts and crafts booths, commercial vendors, non-profit groups, and sponsors with more than 250 booths to visit.
- The Celtic/International Food Court includes traditional Irish favorites such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, boxty, corned beef and cabbage, and Irish-inspired specialties, along with festival classics and international fare.
- The Carnival offers rides and attractions for all ages and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, March 15, the City of Dublin will host the Annual Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk beginning at 8:30 a.m. along Dublin Boulevard near the Civic Center. The course winds through the city and finishes at the festival with live music, awards, and giveaways. The top three finishers in each division will receive a medallion and gift certificate from race sponsor Sports Basement. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Dublin/DublinShamrockRun or call (925) 556-4500 for information.
Festival admission is free, with free parking available along Sierra Court and Clark Avenue and in designated lots. A free festival shuttle will transport guests from the Carl Zeiss Meditec parking lot (5160 Hacienda Dr.) directly to the festival entry. Visitors can also ride BART to the East or West Dublin stations and connect via Wheels Rapid 30R for free by informing the driver they are headed to the festival. Designated passenger drop-off/pick-up areas and free bike valet will also be available onsite.
The City of Dublin’s Special Events App is free to download and provides easy access to St. Patrick’s Day Celebration schedules, maps, parking information, entertainment lineups, and important weekend updates. Guests are encouraged to download the app in advance by searching DublinCaEvents in the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting the following links: Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/city-of-dublin-ca-events/id6451053827 and Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CityofDublin.Events .
Stay informed, plan ahead, and receive real-time notifications throughout the celebration weekend. All festivities will be held rain or shine. For more information, call (925) 556-4500 or visit www.DublinStPats.com.
