St Patrick's Day 2026

Get ready for St. Patrick's Day. This holiday is well-celebrated with numerous cities and towns across Kansas putting together annual parades and festivals. This isn't a "just for fun" type of celebration, either. The roots and heritage of the Irish people go back to Kansas, even before it became a state! 

History of Irish Immigration to Kansas

Kansas' history is full of Irish roots, with many communities across the state having significant ties back to their Irish heritage. The Irish Potato Famine of the late 1840s wreaked havoc on the island and motivated numerous Irish citizens to seek new opportunities. For many Irish immigrants, Kansas was an incredibly promising place. When the area became an open territory for permanent settlement in the 1850s, many Irish immigrants saw promise in the fertile lands of Kansas.

Irish Significance in Kansas

Around 11-12% of the population in Kansas has Irish Heritage. Atchison County in Northeast Kansas and Comanche County in Southwest Kansas maintain the highest percentages of citizens with Irish origins. Interestingly, Irish mythology has had a tremendously lasting impact on Kansas and its culture. The beloved Jayhawk (if you're a KU fan) actually comes from Irish traditional folklore! Many of the Irish settlers in Kansas were proud people who have left behind descendants who still celebrate their heritage to this day.


Lawrence

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Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade

As one of the most historic college towns in America, the residents of Lawrence really enjoy a traditional parade, whether it's the Old Fashion Christmas Parade in December, or the St. Patrick's Day Parade held each year on St. Patrick's Day (no matter what day of the week it falls on). Lawrence will be celebrating its 39th straight parade in 2026, and yes, it will be on Tuesday, March 17th. 
 

Irish Road Bowling

Even though Lawrence is pretty serious about hosting their parade on St. Patrick's Day, you can still find festivities happening into the weekend. In fact, the people of Lawrence take St Paddys Day so seriously that they will also host their own day of Irish Road Bowling on March 22, 2026 at Clinton State Park just west of town.

39th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

39th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Join us for the 39th Annual Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade! Come rain or shine to watch for your favorite floats parading down Mass…

Irish Road Bowling in Lawrence

Irish Road Bowling in Lawrence

Teams of four compete to get a "bowl" (a metal cannonball) around a 1-mile course at Clinton Lake in as few tosses as possible. All proceeds…

Abilene

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St. Patrick's Day Express

Riding along the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad might be one of the most relaxing ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? The tour will serve Irish-inspired food and beverages as a way to take part of the festivities. Riders should plan to arrive to Abilene at least 20 minutes early, as the train will leave at 6 PM. The event lasts for about 2 hours, and gives you every opportunity to stuff your face full of amazing food as you pass through the Somky Hill River Valley in central Kansas.

St. Patrick's Day Express

St. Patrick's Day Express

The leprechauns made us do it! The A&SV’s Smoky Valley Limited presents our second annual St. Patrick’s Day Express! Wear your green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a unique way! On Saturday, March 14, our train…

Manhattan

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Fill the 'Ville with Green!

Pack your running shoes before you come to Little Apple for St. Patrick's Day. Manhattan will be hosting its 48th annual Road Race & Parade on March 21, 2026. Those who want to participate can choose between the more competitive 10K or the more casual 2-Mile run/walk. No matter what brings you to the road races in Manhattan, you're sure to have a great time in the town's Aggieville Historic District.

St. Patrick's Day Road Race & Parade

St. Patrick's Day Road Race & Parade

Manhattan's Oldest Running Event - March 21, 2026 Join your fellow runners for the 48th Annual St. Patrick's Day Road Races. Choose between the 10K and 2 Mile Run/Walk. All events are timed. Fill the 'Ville with Green!…

Junction City

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JC Bar Crawl!

Junction City will be inviting adults for a local bar crawl on March 14th. This bar hop will feature up to six various locations for you to visit around JC. 

Participating Venues:

  • Highwind Brewing
  • BLU
  • The Spot Karaoke
  • The Loft
  • Coyotes Saloon
  • Rosebuds Bar
St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

Bar Hop between participating Spots and find each hidden four-leaf clover. Each clover contains a letter. Collect all letters, unscramble the word and turn in your completed card at Highwind Brewing by 9pm to be entered…

Atchison

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It's a Pot of Gold Party!

Get ready for the 42nd straight St. Patrick's Day Parade in Atchison. The event will kick off at 10:30 with the crowning of the grand marshal, and the parade will start in the afternoon, around 2 PM, with a pub crawl to follow at 4 PM. Come for the entire day or just for an hour, you'll have a good time no matter what!

Atchison St. Patrick's Day Parade

Atchison St. Patrick's Day Parade

Come see the Atchison Fire Department on Saturday, March 14th, 2026, in the 42nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year's theme: “It’s a Pot of Gold Party!”

Topeka

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Irishfest 2026

Topeka's IrishFest is back for 2026 in Downtown Topeka's Evergy Plaza! This event always kicks off with the Mater Dei 5K run at 10 AM. Attendees can then enjoy beer tents, whiskey tasting, authentic Irish food, live music performances from local artists, and so much more. This is easily one of the best all-day celebrations that happens in Topeka.

Topeka Irishfest

Topeka Irishfest

Join us in beautiful Downtown Topeka for Topeka IrishFest 2026! We will once again be celebrating our Irish pride and everything green down on Evergy Plaza, Saturday, March 14th! IrishFest will kick off at 10:00 with our…

Leavenworth

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Leavenworth Irish

Much like Lawrence, the city of Leavenworth also takes St. Patrick's Day very seriously, having hosted the parade on March 17th on a consistent basis for over 42 years, no matter the day of the week. For 2026, the Leavenworth Irish celebration will head into its 43rd year. If you want the classic Irish experience, then this is the event for you!

Leavenworth Irish! St. Patrick's Day Parade

Leavenworth Irish! St. Patrick's Day Parade

The 43rd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 12 PM NOON TUESDAY, March 17th, in Downtown Leavenworth. Again, a reminder that NO CANDY may be tossed or handed out from floats along the Parade route per…

Shawnee

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Irish You Were Here!

The city of Shawnee will also be celebrating more than 40 years of their annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This year's theme will be "Irish You Were Here" and will seek to bring a piece of Ireland right into Downtown Shawnee. 

Shawnee St. Patricks Parade

Shawnee St. Patricks Parade

Please join us for the 42nd Annual Shawnee St. Patrick's Parade! If you would like to participate in the parade, please fill out the parade entry form found on our event page. Bring the completed form and $10 cash to the…

Edgerton

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Hunt Leprechauns on a Disc Golf Course?

Yes, you read that correctly. Make your way over to White Tail Run Winery for the Leprechaun Hunt on their world-famous disc golf course. 

Pop-Up Bar at the Winery

If you just can't bring yourself to hunt those Lebrechauns on the disc golf course, then feel free to hang out by the pop-up bar. The pop-up bar at White Tail Run Winery will be open during weekends from Feb. 27 - March 15.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Pop-Up Bar

🍀 St. Patrick’s Pop-Up Bar

🍀 St. Patrick’s Pop-Up Bar 🍀 📍 White Tail Run Winery We’ve gone full shamrock mode ☘️🍷 Join us every weekend from Feb 27–March 15 for our St. Patrick’s Pop-Up Bar, where the décor is festive, the cocktails are…

Lindsborg

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Lucky in Lindsborg Passport!

Stop by various merchants in Lindsborg on Saturday, March 15, for your Lucky in Lindsborg Passport, and maybe you will be the luckiest of all! Completed passports get entered into the Pot of Gold gift basket! The drawing will be held at 4:30 pm. Participating businesses will also be having in-store treats, specials, and giveaways.

Lucky in Lindsborg

Lucky in Lindsborg

Get lucky with treats, drawings, giveaways, and specials in participating Lindsborg businesses. Downtown events run 10:00am-5:00pm. Finish up the day at the Öl Stuga for live music from Kyle Gilmore! Food and drink…

Wellington

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Grand Opening - Fly Over State Brewery

Wellington will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day with the grand opening of their newest brewery in town: Fly Over State Brewery.

Grand Opening and Fake Paddy's Day Celebration

Grand Opening and Fake Paddy's Day Celebration

Come join us for our official Grand Opening and Fake Paddy’s Day celebration! We will have several Irish type beers on tap along with others! Bring all your friends and come on down and enjoy the craft beer and…

Wichita

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Paddy Day Parade at Delano District

The Delano District is back for St. Patrick's Day in 2026! Join the party on Saturday, March 14, for the Delano Paddy Day Parade. The Parade starts at noon, and will include a food truck rally, kids' corner, and street party.

Paddy Day Parade

Paddy Day Parade

We’re back for 2026! Join us Saturday, March 14, for the Delano Paddy Day Parade! The Parade starts at noon, and will include a food truck rally, kids corner, and street party.

St. Paddy's Day at the Gnome

The Hopping Gnome Brewery in Wichita will be celebrating St. Paddys with authentic Irish drinks and coffee. In addition to the drinks, they will also have burnt ends smoking all afternoon and evening. Head on over for a full day of festivities to go with amazing food and drinks.

St. Paddy's Day at the Gnome

St. Paddy's Day at the Gnome

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day the Gnome way with rich, malty pours, a little Irish flair, and plenty of reasons to hang out awhile. We'll have Irish Red on tap, plus a special Irish Coffee Stout Firkin tapping at…

Time to Paddy 5k/10k & Lucky 13.1 - Wichita

The Time to Paddy Race will be an epic, family-friendly gathering of runners in Wichita. Not only does this marathon have a kids' dash, but kids also get in for less! Adults are $26 to register, but kids who are 12 & under can get in for just $17. But don't forget to get out there early! The kids' dash begins at 7:55 AM, with the full race kicking off at 8 AM.

Time to Paddy 5k/10k & Lucky 13.1 - Wichita

Time to Paddy 5k/10k & Lucky 13.1 - Wichita

Race Day Schedule 6:30-7:45am Packet Pickup 7:55am Kids Dash (Meet at the Start Line and we will walk participants out to the starting area) 8:00am National Anthem and Race Start! Results and Awards are live and…

Crawl With Us!

Get ready for yet another bar crawl, this time through the state's largest city, Wichita! The Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl is a lively day of partying. When you purchase tickets for this event, you gain access to over 6 venues, drink vouchers, and no cover charges at the participating bars. 

Get your tickets here.

Learn More About European Heritage in Kansas

A circle of Swedish Folk Dancers dancing around the Midsummer Pole in Lindsborg.

European Heritage

Kansas’ reputation as the wheat state began when Russian immigrants brought hard winter wheat with them to their new home.