St. Patrick’s Day History and Festivities in Missouri

The Luck of the Irish Across the Show Me State

Kansas City

One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the entire country takes place every year in the midtown area of Kansas City. We are talking about three-hours long, with dozens of elaborate floats, marching bands, and green as far as the eye can see. And this year will be historic as the city celebrates 50 years celebrations.

This parade takes place on March 17th every year on Broadway, starting near Linwood Street. It heads south toward Westport. With all the cool bars and restaurants lining the parade route, it’s a great way to spend the afternoon and evening, since many of your “new best friends” will be hanging out long after the parade is over.

Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 17, 2024
11:00 AM
Broadway

St. Louis Dogtown

For a bit o’ the green that’s just a bit different, head over to St. Louis. The Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dogtown is held on St. Patrick’s Day every year, not on the weekend near the holiday. So, if you want to attend it, you might need to take the day off work (which we totally approve of). It’s held in the small St. Louis neighborhood of Dogtown, near Forest Park.

The majority of the parade runs on Tamm Avenue and passes several local establishments, which is handy for the hours after the conclusion of the parade. The event not only showcases the large Irish Catholic community in St. Louis, but also corresponds with the coming of spring, so the locals are ready to get out and mingle.

Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 17, 2024
11:00 am
Dogtown

Shrine of St. Patrick

Yes, there really is a St. Patrick, Missouri! It’s a small village in Clark County in far northeast Missouri. Much like heading to Noel, Missouri for Christmas, you should make a pilgrimage to St. Patrick, Missouri at least once to check it off your Missouri bucket list. The Shrine has a host of events taking place on Sunday, March 17th. It includes the Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Irish Music, a Leprechaun 5k, and plenty of food.

Shrine of St. Patrick Celebration
Sunday, March 17th, 2024
9:00 AM
St. Patrick, Missouri

Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also celebrating a milestone as the city kicks off 40 years of celebrations. This parade steps off along the Bagnell Dam Strip.

Lake of the Ozarks St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
1:00 pm
Bagnell Dam Strip

UMR (Yes, I know it’s not UMR anymore)

If you are like me, you spent your “formative years” going to Rolla for the most epic St. Patrick’s Day party in the state. This party has been taking place for 116 years dating all the way back to 1908. A lot has changed, including the name of the college to Missouri S&T, but the party remains the same. The parade and concert take place on Saturday, but the festivities take place all weekend long.

Missouri S&T St. Pat’s Festivities
Events all weekend
Parade is Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at 11:00am
Concert is Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at 11:00am
Missouri S&T Campus

Water Parade at the Lake

If you are in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day, but you are also in the mood to hang out by the Lake of the Ozarks, this one is for you. The 33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Water takes place near Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill at the 34.5 mile marker, basically near the Hurricane Deck Bridge.

33rd Annual St. Patrick’s Parade On The Water
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
8:00 am
Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill

Brookside Neighborhood in Kansas City

This the kickoff of the St. Patrick Day Celebrations in the Kansas City area. The entire neighborhood of Brookside decks out in green and welcomes the community to their area. The theme in 2024 is March Madness

St. Pat’s Warm Up Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
2:00 p.m.
Brookside District @ 63rd & Wornall in Kansas City

St. Charles

Enjoy the fun in historic downtown St. Charles with a parade put on by the St. Charles Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This is only the third year of the event and it keeps getting better with age. The parade starts near the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and heads to Main Street where it travels until Clark Street. There is no better downtown environment in the state of Missouri than St. Charles, so expert to be thoroughly entertained while taking in a little history as well.

St. Charles’ St Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 17th, 2024
Parade begins at 4:00PM
Main Street St. Charles

Downtown Belton

Belton St. Patrick Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Main Street in Belton

Defiance

This festival kicks off with a St. Patrick’s Day 5k on the Katy Trail. Once the runners and walkers are done, the party really begins. The Defiance St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Defiance Ridge Vineyards and heads to Downtown Defiance at noon. There will also be live music, food and drinks at the town square after the parade.

Defiance St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
Parade at noon
Downtown Defiance

The Other Big Parade in St. Louis

The 55th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place steps off in downtown St. Louis are noon on Saturday. We call it the “other big parade” because this one is a great complement to the Dogtown parade listed above. This Irish event is massive each year. According to their web site, it will have over 120 units including marching bands, floats, huge cartoon-character balloons, 5000+ marchers, and lots of clowns. This event also draws about 250,000 revelers annually.

55th Annual St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
12:00 PM
Downtown St. Louis

Springfield

The Springfield parade meanders through downtown Springfield along Boonville Avenue, around Park Central Square, and then along South Street to Walnut. There is even a Zoomin Groomin Irish Pet Contest.

41st Annual Springfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
2:00 PM
Downtown Springfield

St. Joseph

The St. Joseph Ancient Order of Hibernians are hosting their 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2024. The Parade starts at Frederick and Noyes and ends at 8th and Felix.

38th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
12:00 PM
Downtown St. Joseph

Sikeston

The St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Missouri also include Sikeston. This one includes live music, A Craft Brew tasting and competition, food trucks, and even a Cornhole Tournament.

Sikeston St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Saturday Mar 16th, 2024
12:00-4:00pm
American Legion Park

Pacific

Pacific St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
11:00 am
Downtown Pacific