Celebrate the Luckiest Day of the Year in DSM with 20+ St. Patrick’s Day Events

Today is your lucky day — we are dropping 20+ fun things to do in Greater Des Moines (DSM) to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day that you will not want to miss! Not only is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade taking place on the holiday, but you can find fun events like a St. Patrick’s Day kids run or cookie decorating class. There is truly something for all ages to enjoy on or around Monday, March 17, 2025 in DSM.

St. Patrick’s Day Events, Food and Shopping in Greater Des Moines

• Iowish & St. Pat’s Apparel at Raygun in Downtown DSM: Stop into a favorite Historic East Village t-shirt shop for this year’s Iowish shirt, pint glass, can cooler and more.
• St. Patrick’s Day ISU Gear at Iowa State University in Ames: The Iowa State University Book Store has a Luck O’ The Cyclones t-shirt and a green trucker hat that’s perfect for ISU fans celebrating the holiday.
• St. Patrick's Day Thrifting at St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines: Check out all the green at St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines
• White Chocolate Sprinkled Rice Krispies at Twisted Bean Bakery in Des Moines or Ankeny: Grab a holiday rice krispies treat while you can — available until St. Patrick's Day! Try a lucky drink, too, like the Shamrock White Mocha Frappe.
• St. Patrick’s Irish Settlement & Catholic Church in Madison County: Visitors are welcome year-round to tour the grounds of the church and cemetery in Cumming. This local tourism spot has been a National Register of Historic Places location since 1978 and represents the Irish immigrant and Catholic culture in the area.
• St. Patrick’s Day Cookie Art in Indianola: Stop by the Indianola Activity Center on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 9 a.m. to learn how to decorate clover-shaped cookies with Indianola Parks & Recreation. This event is meant for ages 10-16.
• St. Patrick's Day Event with Des Moines Association of the Deaf (DMAD) in Des Moines: Wear green and bring a green food or drink to share on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 6 - 11 p.m. at the DMAD location. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up at Fenders Brewing in Polk City: From Wednesday, March 12 – Sunday, March 16, 2025, find specialty drinks, a shamrock selfie station and Pot of Gold giveaway during this fun event. Try a Lucky Charms Seltzer or Leprechaun Lemonade!
• Irish Warm-Up Tasting Event at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee: Taste various Irish liquors during the Irish Warm-Up Tasting at Mickey’s Irish Pub on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6 p.m. Learn how to pour a pint of Guinness, too!
• Saint Patrick's Bash with Bennigan's at Holiday Inn & Suites Des Moines Northwest: Celebrate the holiday at the 17th Annual Saint Patrick's Bash on Friday, March 14, 2025. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there is a $5 cover charge fee. 
• Des Moines St. Paddy’s Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K in Downtown DSM: The Marathon & Half-Marathon begin at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, while the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. Kids can participate in a 5K Fun Run or 100-Meter Dash. You can still register to participate — shamrock gear included, and special goods await at the finish line, including an 18-ounce Stein, shamrock cookie and more!
• Brunch Cocktails at Either/Or in Des Moines: On Saturdays and Sundays, Either/Or offers brunch from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Stop in the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day to try an Irish Coffee.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parties at Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee: A second St. Pat’s celebration at Mickey’s Irish Pub will take place at Mickey’s Irish Pub on Saturday, March 15, 2025 beginning at 8 a.m. with a breakfast buffet. The event continues until Midnight, with a bagpipe and drum band at 10:30 a.m., traditional Irish band at 11:30 a.m., Tony Bohnenkamp Live! from 2 – 5 p.m. and GIMIKK LIVE! at 8 p.m. On Monday, March 17, 2025, the official St. Patrick’s Day Party begins at 7 a.m. and includes all-day entertainment like balloon creations from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., bagpipe and drum band at 10:30 a.m., DJ by Loud Crowd Entertainment from 1 – 4 p.m. and BJ & The Liars performing from 5 – 8 p.m.
• St. Patrick’s Day Party at Smash Park in West Des Moines: Check out the Giant Pong Tournament from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. ($10 for ages 21+), the Open Bar Package from 10 a.m. – close ($49 for ages 21+) and the free St. Patrick’s Day Party from 10 a.m. to Midnight on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Smash Park this year.
• St. Patty’s Day at Brick & Ivy Rooftop in Altoona: Live music from The Sheet starts at 5 p.m. during this St. Pat’s celebration.
• Kegs N Eggs at Confluence in Downtown DSM: Wear green or other festive attire to the Kegs N Eggs event at Confluence on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 9 – 11 a.m. Tickets include a full brunch buffet and two Irish beers.
• Saint Patty’s Day Part at Paws & Pints in Des Moines: Bring your pup while you enjoy green beer, party favors, yard games and more from Noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Dogs wearing green get a free day pass starting at 4 p.m. If you’ve never been to Paws & Pints, read through these helpful tips for your first visit ahead of the holiday.
• Kids Cupcake Decorating Class at Molly’s Cupcakes in Downtown DSM: Molly’s Cupcakes will offer a cookie decorating class for St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. for just $25. Ages 6-14 are invited to create cupcake designs centered around St. Patrick’s Day.
• St. Patrick’s Day at Magee’s Irish Pub in Ankeny: Dress up and head to Magee’s Irish Pub in Ankeny from 11 a.m. – Midnight this year. Try the Tipperary Irish Stew, the St. Paddy Melt, the Dublin Wings and more. Top it off with an Irish Whiskey or coffee options like the Irish Kiss or Irish Coffee Delight.
• St. Patrick’s Day at Uptown Garage in Ankeny: Wear your green and join Uptown Garage Brewing Company from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025 for St. Patrick’s Day this year.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown DSM: This year’s annual parade will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025 at Noon. The parade is hosted by The Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa.
• Themed Drinks at Founders Irish Pub in Bondurant: Every weekday from 3 – 6 p.m., this Irish pub also offers a Happy Hour. — Monday is Moscow Mule night so stop in on St. Patty’s for a Mule and some free pool.
• Irish Coffee at Hobnob in Downtown DSM: Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar offers an extensive menu within Hotel Fort Des Moines but try the Irish Coffee any time on or around St. Patrick’s Day this year.
• Irish Beers at Iowa Taproom in Downtown DSM: Stop in any time to try the Imogene Red Irish Ale from Confluence Brewing Company or the Irish Extra Stout from Exile Brewing Company.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.