Time to break out everything green in your wardrobe. Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday, the Irish festivities will be celebrated in Atlanta all weekend long. Emerald not your color? No worries—this weekend has plenty of non-holiday happenings, too.
St. Patrick’s Day Festivities:
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual parade is Atlanta’s oldest public event (since 1858!), but that doesn’t mean tradition trumps all. This year, the parade route relocates from Downtown to Midtown. Those lovable Budweiser Clydesdales will be participating. Saturday 12 p.m. atlantastpats.com
St. Baldrick’s Charity Head Shaving
Celebrate St. Pat’s and give back at the same time—both Ri Ra and Fado Irish Pub will host head-shaving events that raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research. Ri Ra: Thursday, 6 p.m., rira.com/atlanta; Fado: Friday, 2:15 p.m., fadoirishpub.com
ShamRock the Station
If you’ve got kids, you might prefer this alternative to other boisterous drinking extravaganzas. The Atlantic Station event promises live music, crafts, and face painting, but fear not parents, Meehan’s will still keep the beverages on hand. Saturday 2 p.m. atlanticstation.com
ShamRock Music Festival
Not to be confused with the event above (flyers promise “tomfoolery”), the lineup at Masquerade features cover bands of rock classics like U2, Journey, and Van Halen, plus booze and food trucks. Saturday 11 a.m. masqueradeatlanta.com
Cloverfest 2014
Brew lovers might find this party at Red Brick Brewing, which features food trucks and music, to be just the thing, but don’t procrastinate—their website warns of advance sell-outs. Saturday 12 p.m. facebook.com/redbrickbeer
Plus: Five restaurants to dine at this St. Patrick’s Day
Other events:
American Craft Council Atlanta Show
225 artists, specializing in everything from jewelry to kaleidoscopes, take over the Cobb Galleria Centre for this juried show. Friday through Sunday. craftcouncil.org
Bill Maher
The irreverent comic, HBO talk-show host, and Obama megadonor brings his stand-up routine to Cobb. Saturday 8 p.m. cobbenergycentre.org
Phoenix Flies
The Atlanta Preservation Center’s annual showcase of landmarks and living history includes tours, lectures, and special events. New on the 2014 program: the historic Glenn Hotel, the Capital City Club, and Sweet Auburn Curb Market. Through March 23. atlantapreservationcenter.com
Modern Atlanta Dance Festival
Hosted by Full Radius Dance, the two-night show at the Balzer Theatre features performances from contemporary Georgia dance troupes and choreographers. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. fullradiusdance.org
Arrested Frame
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center showcases paintings, mixed media, and animation by Temme Barkin-Leeds. Opens Friday, through May 9. callanwolde.org
Atlanta Francophonie Festival
The 21-day celebration of all things French-speaking will feature concerts, films, readings, classes, and more. The events kick off with a jazz piano concert and wine and cheese reception. Friday 7 p.m., through March 30. francophonieatlanta.org
Harlem Globetrotters
The perennial favorites (88 years!) flaunt their showmanship at Philips Arena. Saturday 1 p.m. philipsarena.com
