Grab your lucky clover, because it’s that time of year when green can be seen all over Toronto, from the attire of city-goers, to the beer flowing in the pubs. If you’re looking to experience St. Patrick’s Day like the Irish do, then CityEvents has a few suggested events besides your local pub with Irish dancers and green beer.

Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Sunday, March 17, 2013:

Do you feel lucky today? Well the luck of the Irish is spreading across Toronto on March 17th, 2013 at the 26th annual Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Put on your green outfits and head down to St. George and Bloor Street for the start of the parade at noon. Grab your friends and family for an afternoon of Irish celebrations and who knows you may find a pot of gold. (See image for the full parade route).

http://www.topatrick.com/

St. Patrick’s Day Brunch, Sunday, March 17, 2013:

If you are looking for more family friendly fun this St. Patrick’s Day, The Gladstone Hotel is the place to be from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Featuring The Bellwood’s Trinity, a local Queen West acoustic trio; they specialize in children sing-alongs, Irish jigs, as well as Canadian and American folk songs. Bring the family down for some sing-alongs, Irish music and even a puppet show. Brunch is available for $16.00 per adult and $10.00 per child. If you are looking for a great way to celebrate like the Irish, join them later in the evening for more fun, live music and of course some drinks!

http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/?pno=3

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, Friday, March 8, 2013:

Do you want to make a difference this St. Patrick’s Day? On March 8th, 2013 you can help fight hunger in Canada and Ireland by attending the largest and longest St. Patrick’s Day lunch in the world. Located at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this is an afternoon you don’t want to miss. Your day will include a pre-lunch “Make Yourself Irish” reception, featuring live Irish music and a three-course lunch to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Pre-lunch begins at 11:00am, lunch starts at 12:30pm, and finally the post-lunch party at 3:00pm continuing on until 5:00pm. Also, featuring headline entertainer, Brendan Grace, from the Ireland Fund of Canada. Come out for an afternoon of Irish celebrations with an open bar, special guests, and live music. Make a difference this St. Patrick’s Day and have a great time doing it.

http://theirelandfunds.org/upcoming-events/id.408/title.Toronto–30th-Annual-St-Patricks-Day-Lunch–2013

The Lucky Ball, Thursday, March 14, 2012:

If you’re looking to party it up, but also give back this St. Patty’s Day, then head on over to the inaugural Lucky Ball in support of the Fort York Food Bank. There will be an open bar, hour d’oeuvres, and great music from musical director & DJ, Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning. The event is on Thursday, March 14^th from 8:30pm to 2:00am, at the Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. West. Tickets are $100, and attire is cocktail chic.

https://secure1.gettickets.ca/Redeem/Regular/SelectTickets.aspx?id=0f580e6a-99ba-49fc-9ea3-0f46c82f8c03&locale=en-CA

14^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Run for Achilles, Sunday, March 17^th:

Do you often feel your heart skip a beat when you see a four-leaf clover? Do you get excited when you see the makings of green beer or leprechauns? You my friend have the luck of the Irish, and CityEvents has everything you want to know about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Toronto, for little to no cost! St. Patrick’s Day is a favourite holiday of CityEvents, CEO, Deb Lewis and is often a day off at the company. We are extremely lucky to be living in an explosively fun city like Toronto, where there is so much to do and see every day. That is why, on an occasion like St. Patrick’s Day, there are plenty more fun things to do right in the core of downtown Toronto. Make St. Patty’s Day 2012 memorable, go out, have fun, be green, and meet new Torontonians!

There is no better way than to get into the St. Patty’s Day mood, than by going to the St. Patrick’s Day parade! Sunday March 11^th, the parade will start at noon on Bloor and St. George. Irish dancers will pipe, drum, dance and skip their way east to Yonge, then head south to Queen, and turn back west, ending the parade just past Nathan Phillips Square.  This is the perfect chance to go outdoors, drink, have fun and meet new Torontonians who share your love for St. Patty’s Day.

If you’re feeling the need to give, donate or volunteer this St. Patrick’s Day, then we have something for you too! For all you philanthropists out there, on March 18^th at 10:15 a.m., come and be apart of this year’s 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Run and 5k Walk. Registration costs $50.00, and includes a free t-shirt, and a hot bowl of Irish chili and pint of Steam Whistle beer after the run. After the run, participants are invited to relax while listening to live music and entertainment. It will start and finish at 255 Bremner Boulevard, outside of Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse. All proceeds from the event and donations will go to Achilles Canada; a foundation helping Canadians with disabilities participate in running.

Another volunteer opportunity for this St. Patrick’s Day is The Shamrock at the Amsterdam Brewery, a benefit for the Parkdale Food Bank. On Saturday, March 17^th, from 5pm to 2am, people will be bringing donations or non-perishable food items, while enjoying classic Irish dishes, live Celtic music and green beer.

If like most people you want to spend the night in a pub, but not sure which one, we’ve got one with enough green beer to last you until March 2013! The best time you will have at a pub on St. Patty’s Day will be held on March 17^th, at the Irish Embassy. The evening will include live music, accompanied by Irish dancers throughout the night, and limited time offer food specials to complement your green beer.

If you’re not a pub or bar person, but want a fun St. Patty’s Day with friends, green beer, and live music, then don’t look any further; St. PARTY’s Day is here to save the day. It is an all day event on March 17^th, on 92 Front St., in the St. Lawrence market in the north building. Starting at 11a.m., this all day event will showcase a number of live bands, pots of gold, and all the green beer your Irish heart desires.

Last, but certainly not least, if all else fails, or you don’t like crowds, bring Ireland to you. Stay at home; make yourself a big pot of Irish potato soup, make your own green beer, and work on your Irish accent.

If you do plan to venture out for St. Patty’s Day, to find the pot of gold, make sure you have a safe ride home.