Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in West Michigan

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, right? Whether you're of Irish heritage or not, you can still celebrate the patron saint of Ireland with festivities in Saugatuck and its neighboring communities. From a traditional parade and lively Irish music to delicious eats and endless green beer, there are plenty of activities sure to bring out your inner leprechaun. Make plans now for a mid-March stay at The Hotel Saugatuck and get ready for an unforgettable adventure that brings out your true Irish spirit!

St. Paddy's Day is March 17, but here along the west coast of Michigan, the festivities stretch over two weekends. Start getting into the spirit on March 11, 2023, with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Holland, Michigan, less than 15 minutes north of The Hotel Saugatuck.

The parade route travels east down 8th Street with Irish dancers, bagpipers, kilt-wearers and more. Wave your Irish flag as the parade passes by! Afterward, celebrations continue along 8th Street at New Holland Brewing Company, Hops at 84 East and Curragh Irish Pub. 

On March 16, Guardian Brewing Company in Saugatuck will host a Beer School class on Irish beers. Owner and head brewer Kim Collins will lead a one-hour lesson that celebrates all things St. Patrick's Day and explores the history behind traditional Irish beer styles. As you might guess, the course includes four 6-ounce tasters of different beer styles. Maybe you'll find a new favorite Irish brew!

Saugatuck's big day of St. Paddy's festivities is set for Saturday, March 18. Start the day at Saugatuck Brewing Company with a traditional Irish breakfast buffet from 10 a.m. to noon. The menu includes traditional Irish fare such as carved corned beef, rustic corned beef hash and Irish soda bread, as well as eggs, sausage, fruit, assorted pastries and more. The green beer will be flowing, and an Irish band will be playing lively tunes to set the mood.

Next, work off your breakfast at the Shamrock Run, Walk, or Roll. At 11:45 a.m., both the 1.5-mile and 3.3-mile races start at Wicks Park Bar & Grille, and the course travels through downtown Saugatuck. Participants are encouraged to dress for the occasion in green or their favorite Irish costume, and there will be a prize for the most spirited! Enjoy a complimentary beverage from Wicks Park Bar & Grill after the race, then stay in town for the Shamrock Crawl.

The third annual Shamrock Crawl will be on March 18 from 1-6 p.m. This is a fun way to visit the neighborhood watering holes in Saugatuck and Douglas and make new friends along the way. Participating bars and restaurants will feature exclusive drink and food specials and a festive atmosphere. Pre-registration includes a drink ticket, a grand prize raffle ticket, your shamrock lanyard and punch pass, and an awesome after-party. Travel safely by utilizing the InterUrban Transit Authority to get to and from the bars and then back to The Hotel Saugatuck at the conclusion of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.