St. Patrick's Day Celebrations 2024

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the Lowcountry is a real party with plenty of ways to join in the festivities! From the Annual Savannah Parade (which is celebrating its 200th year in 2024!) to the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day parade, plus a few other pop-ups that are not to be missed, we have a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration roundup for you! 

Savannah Parade 

The Irish Catholic community of Savannah has celebrated the feast of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, since 1824 when a local paper invited citizens of Savannah to join them for a discourse at the Roman Catholic Church.  (Just to keep the record straight -- according to the website: “While the 1824 festivities are recognized as the first public observance to which the current iteration of the Parade can be traced, it is documented that two private processions took place in Savannah prior to that year. The first occurred in 1813, when the members of the Hibernian Society (est. 1812) marched in procession to the Independent Presbyterian Church. The second was a private parade held in 1818 by a local military group known as the Fencibles.”)  Summary: it’s historic and rich in tradition that goes back EVEN FURTHER than 1824. 

This year in 2024, St. Patrick's Day in Savannah will be celebrated on March 16 where the day begins with Mass at the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah. All are welcome to attend.  The parade itself follows the Mass and considered a fun, family event for the entire community and is one of the largest recognized celebrations in the United States. Approximately 280 units of bands, families, societies, soldiers, public servants and commercial floats will parade through the historic streets.  The Parade becomes less family friendly as the day goes on, particularly on River Street -- so just note your timing depending on who's attending. 

The parade committee “keeps the foundation of Faith” in the hearts as they celebrate the day.  You can visit the website to learn the parade route: https://savannahsaintpatricksday.com/route/.  Be sure to wear your green and check out the location of the bleachers which are free and open to the public. 

Hilton Head Island Parade

Hiton Head Island claims that their St. Patrick’s Day parade is the oldest in all of South Carolina. “IrishFest” will take place March 16 -17th starting with an Irish Concert at Lowcountry Celebration Park (90 Pope Avenue).  The parade will start at 3 PM on Sunday, March 17th. Businesses, non-profits, church groups, other groups, sports teams, and more will dazzle with golf cart floats, truck floats, and other floats. Upwards of 25,000 spectactors (in a town of 40,000 people) are expected to attend. Over the years, the Parade has had some special guest appearances including the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales, military jet flyovers, the Planter's Peanut Nutmobile with Mr. Peanut, the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, and Nashville recording star, Michelle Murray, among other special attractions. The parade was recognized as one of the “Top 20 Tourism Events” in the Southeast. 

Watch the Parade on Pope Avenue and check out all the fun at the “Barmuda” triangle at Reilley’s Bar & Grill, the owners of which started the parade over 40 years ago.  Who will be the Grand Marshall of the parade this year?  It's always a joy to find out. 

Katie O’Donalds Irish Pub in Bluffton 

Katie O’Donalds in Bluffton is a family-friendly Irish pub near the Target shopping complex off Hightway 278 offering food, draft beer, cocktails & lots of TV’s. They’ve celebrated the St. Patrick’s Day holiday the last few years in style and had a tent in their parking lot to accommodate more people. Think Irish music and green beer! What fun! 

St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run 

Is running your thing? Consider the “Bluffton St. Patrick’s Day 5K on March 16th, 2024. The race starts at the Martin Family Park in Bluffton and goes through Historic Old Town Bluffton and along the May River.  Afterwards in Bluffton, there is a “block party” at The Bluffton Oyster Factory Park (63 Wharf Street, Bluffton)

Also, the Bluffton St. Patrick’s Golf Cart Parade will kick off at 3 pm at Town Hall. Residents will deck their carts in Irish colors and themes and prizes are awarded for the best carts.  At the Block Party, you can also bring your furry friends.  Dogs can enter the K9 "Luck of the Irish" Costume Contest also complete with prizes!  Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bluffton-st-patricks-block-party-tickets-806720531827 for tickets and more information to the Block Party! 

Enjoy these fun St Patrick's Day events while you vacation on Hilton Head Island with Beachside Getaway!