The best St. Paddy’s celebrations in ATL and beyond
From Atlanta to Savannah, get ready for lively parties, parades, and green beers galore.
Muriel Vega
March 1, 2024
Atlantans are lucky — we can choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day here in our city or we can take a short weekend trip to beautiful Savannah. Atlanta St. Paddy’s events include fun festivals, lively parades, and 5K events featuring runners in green taking over the streets. In Savannah, what began as a small observation of St. Patrick’s Day by Savannah’s Hibernian Society in 1813 has evolved into a four-hour parade that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. Savannah truly becomes one big celebration once March arrives.
Here are the best events in both cities for St. Patrick’s Day this year.
Celebrations in Atlanta
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Midtown Atlanta
Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Parade is a fantastic annual event that has been around for over 140 years, making it one of the oldest parades in the country and the longest-running event in Atlanta. This year’s parade promises to be a spectacular display of talent and diversity, with over 2,000 participants, 100 parade units, and 700 musicians and dancers. The parade will feature many performers, including clowns, dancers, children, drill teams, Bagpipe & Drum Corps, and more. Save your spot on Saturday, March 16, along the parade route in Midtown before the noon start time.
Park Tavern’s ShamRock Fest
Looking for some post-parade excitement after the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Midtown? You won’t want to miss out on ShamRock Fest at Park Tavern! It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in style, with plenty of music and fun to go around. DJs will be spinning tunes all day long starting at 2 pm, and you can enjoy drink specials crafted especially for the occasion. Get your tickets here. This event is 21 and up, but dogs are more than welcome to join in on the fun.
8th Annual Marietta Shamrock Shuffle 5K
The Marietta Shamrock Shuffle is an annual 5K walk/run event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Registration is now open for the event on Saturday, March 16, at Marietta Square. The race starts at 8 am and the registration fee is only $35. Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the Marietta Police Athletic League’s youth sports, academic, and recreation programs.
Weekend trip to Savannah
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah
Get ready for a fantastic time at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, happening on Saturday, March 16th. This parade is the highlight of the Savannah St. Paddy’s experience and is one of the largest parades in the country. You’ll get to enjoy a spectacular lineup of entertainment, including service members from the area, marching bands from all over the United States, and even the majestic Budweiser Clydesdale horses. The parade kicks off around 10:15 a.m. and lasts for several hours, taking you through much of the Historic District. Wear comfy shoes, and don’t forget to wear green.
Greening of the Fountain
If you’re visiting Savannah longer than St. Paddy’s weekend, don’t miss the Forsyth Park fountain going green on Friday, March 8. Ceremony attendees work together to pour green dye into the fountain water starting at noon.
29th Annual March of Dimes Shamrock Run 5K
Join the March of Dimes Shamrock Run in Ellis Square on the evening of March 1 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with fellow Savannahians. The 5K race welcomes participants of all ages, dogs included. The event is a cherished tradition that brings the community together in a vibrant run. Come in your best holiday attire, enjoy live music, and maybe even win a gift card for your creative costume. Get your ticket now, and note that there are military and student discounts.
Pub crawl down River Street
River Street is the most exciting destination in Savannah for food, shopping, and nightlife. It’s also the perfect place to be during St. Patrick’s Day. You can enjoy a DIY St. Paddy’s crawl by hopping from bar to bar, but keep an eye out for high entrance fees. Stafford’s Public House hosts an official bar crawl the weekend before (for practice!) and on St. Patrick’s Day. You can grab your tickets here.
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5 award-winning, celebrity chefs you can experience in Phoenix
Here’s where to enjoy fine dining from local culinary stars.
Phoenix has always had a flourishing culinary scene, but over the last decade, it has truly morphed into a mecca of global flavors. Foodies are especially enamored by the celebrity chefs who have opened restaurants Valley-wide and our many James Beard Award nominees and winners — their status has helped elevate local dining experiences and brought new concepts to our neighborhoods. Read on to discover the most notable chefs and where to find them.
Angelo Sosa, Kembara and Tia Carmen
Fans of Top Chef are sure to remember chef Angelo Sosa from seasons 7 and 8 — for the last several years, he’s been bringing his bold cooking and techniques to Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. This beautifully designed restaurant places his contemporary southwest cuisine front and center, with Instagram-worthy platings of ceviche tostadas with yuzu and guacamole, mushroom menudo, New York strip with a southwestern spice blend served with bone marrow, and vanilla flan with tequila caramel and Manchego cheese.
In late 2023, Chef Angelo also opened Kembara at the same resort — this swanky restaurant is a celebration of Asian street food culture, highlighting ingredients and flavors he absorbed during travels through Thailand, Hanoi, Tokyo, and Penang. He deftly marries sweet, sour, and salty elements to create such harmonious dishes as fish head curry, wagyu beef rendang, forbidden rice bowls, massaman vegetable curry, and crab fried rice.
Christopher Gross, Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion
With accolades and awards aplenty — including winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Southwest and a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Chef — Chef Christopher is best known for the modern twist he puts on French fare. He has cooked for Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush and has graced Phoenix with his culinary genius for more than 40 years (longtime locals will remember Christopher’s Fermier and Christopher’s and Crush Lounge in the Biltmore Fashion Park).
Chef Christopher’s newest restaurant, Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion, is a compilation of his global culinary experiences, set in a 1930s hilltop mansion with sweeping views of the Phoenix skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy small plates and cocktails at the chef’s counter or on the patio, and don’t miss the house smoked salmon, roasted red bell pepper soup, liberty duck (a sautéed breast and confit leg), and caviar with fresh blinis.
Scott Conant, Mora Italian and The Americano
He may be a finicky judge on Chopped, but that expectation for perfection is carried through in Scott Conant’s own cooking. The Food Network star has made frequent guest appearances on “The Today Show,” “Rachael Ray Show,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” and “Good Morning America,” among others. He is also a two-time James Beard Award-winning chef and cookbook author — his latest book is “Peace, Love & Pasta.”
Located on 7th street, a neighborhood filled with many Phoenix favorites, is Mora Italian. Showcasing Conant’s contemporary approach to Italian cooking, must-try dishes include his signature pasta pomodoro, citrus-fennel dusted branzino, fritto misto, and pork and veal meatballs. At The Americano in Scottsdale, more of an Italian-inspired steakhouse, order the braised wagyu beef cheeks, seafood tower, tagliatelle wagyu Bolognese, or a ribeye or tomahawk from their mesquite and pecan wood-burning grill.
Beau MacMillan, CALA Scottsdale
Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan has been a fixture in Valley kitchens for more than two decades. But you may also know him from appearances on “Beat the Chefs,” “The Next Iron Chef” and “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” not to mention when he co-hosted the show “Worst Cooks in America.”
Many will remember his years as the executive chef for Sanctuary Resort at Camelback Mountain, but these days you’ll find him at Cala Scottsdale (on the ground floor of boutique hotel Senna House), his latest venture with Clive Collective in Old Town Scottsdale. This restaurant offers diners a Mediterranean aesthetic with authentic coastal cuisine and flavors from Greece, Spain, Italy, and Morocco. In October 2023, he and Clive Collective announced a new restaurant concept in partnership with chef Scott Conant — it’s called Tell Your Friends and is set to open in spring 2024.
Chris Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco
The man, the myth, the legend: Chris Bianco is a two-time James Beard Award-Winning chef and restaurateur who knows a thing or two about pizza — many Phoenicians agree his Pizzeria Bianco is the best in town (and has been since 1987). Bianco focuses on simple ingredients and old-world techniques, using a wood-fired oven and wowing patrons with his homemade mozzarella cheese. The restaurant is small, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line.
There are two locations in Phoenix, one downtown in Heritage Square and another at Town & Country near the Biltmore. At Pane Bianco Central, Chris serves up focaccia sandwiches baked to order, fresh loaves of bread, and NY-style pizzas by the slice. Finally, Tratto, his Italian and Southwestern-inspired trattoria on Van Buren is the place to be for date night — there’s a rotating menu with mouthwatering dishes each week.
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Mark your calendar: 8 Atlanta festivals to cure your spring fever
Atlanta’s best season is here and these are the spring festivals you won’t want to miss.
You can always count on springtime to kick off festival season in Atlanta. The weather turns warm, the flowers begin to bloom, and the streets burst with cultural extravaganzas, culinary pop-ups, music festivals, and more. Whether you’re immersing yourself in the arts at the Atlanta Film Festival or discovering the historical wonders of the Georgia Renaissance Festival, there’s no shortage of adventures this season. So mark your calendar and start making plans to check out these much-anticipated Atlanta spring festivals.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The parade officially begins on Peachtree Street in Midtown, Atlanta, GA 30301
March 16, 2024
Cost: Free
Atlanta comes alive on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish music, dancing, parade floats, marching bands, and bagpipes spill into the streets of Midtown in observance of the holiday. The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade is Atlanta’s longest-running event, with live entertainment, food, and tons of family-friendly activities along the parade route. Come decked out in green to join the fun.
404 Day
Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30309
April 4, 2024
Cost: Free
“Atlanta influences everything.” This is your chance to pay homage to ATL’s vibrant culture, creative spirit, and everything that makes the 404 area code unique. On April 4th each year (4.04!), city residents come together to celebrate Atlanta’s homegrown music, art, innovation, and more. The energy is high across the perimeter and surrounding counties, but there is no place more electrifying than Piedmont Park, where you can view local art installations and live performances. An ideal event to connect with the city’s top influencers and talent, 404 Day is a must for native and transplant ATLiens.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30309
April 12-14, 2024
Cost: Free
Welcome the spring season with the blooming of Atlanta’s native dogwood trees. A beloved tradition that dates back over 80 years, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival boasts an artist market, delicious food vendors, art contests, a kid’s village, and a world-class dog frisbee competition. Listen to bluegrass and rock music while eating festival favorites like funnel cake and kettle corn, all amidst the picturesque backdrop of the blooming dogwood trees.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd., Fairburn, Georgia 30213
April 13-June 2, 2024
Cost: $9-$25
Step back into 16th-century Europe and journey to the days of knights, jesters, and maidens. Located just outside Atlanta, the Georgia Renaissance Festival will transport you to a medieval village filled with artisans, performers, and culinary delights. From jousting tournaments to Shakespearean plays and glass-blowing demonstrations, the festival offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Renaissance-era life. Other attractions include ten stages of music, comedic acts, crafts, and even animal performances.
SweetWater 420 Fest
225 Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
April 20-21, 2024
Cost: $245 for 2-day tickets
Raise a glass and rock out to your favorite tunes at the SweetWater 420 Fest. This two-day festival combines the best craft beer and live music, featuring performances by top artists. This year’s lineup includes Beck, Grace Potter, and Andy Frasco and the U.N., to name a few. Of course, you can also sample a wide selection of brews from hometown favorite and presenting sponsor, SweetWater Brewing Company. With 25 performing acts across three unique stages, plus food trucks, creative vendors, workshops, and an artist market, it’s the perfect spring outing for beer and music enthusiasts.
Atlanta Film Festival
Plaza Theater Atlanta, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306
April 25-May 5, 2024
Cost: $100-$500
One of the country’s longest-running and most prestigious film festivals, the Atlanta Film Festival showcases a diverse selection of independent flicks, documentaries, and shorts from local and international filmmakers. It’s a chance for movie buffs to discover emerging talent and engage in thought-provoking panel discussions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Atlanta Caribbean Carnival
Westside Park, 1660 Johnson Road NW, Entrance 1, Atlanta, GA 30318
May 25, 2024
Cost: $35-$160
Feel the rhythm and the spirit of the islands at the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. The infectious beats of soca, reggae, and calypso, coupled with Caribbean cuisine, vibrant costumes, and dancing, create a dynamic and infectious atmosphere. From sunrise to sunset, the day is full of events that will satisfy all your senses, featuring the parade of bands downtown, an artist market, dance demos, and children’s activities.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
May 25-27, 2024
Cost: Free
This Memorial Day Weekend, immerse yourself in the smooth sounds of talented musicians from around the world at the Atlanta Jazz Festival. For over 40 years, the annual event has featured renowned up-and-coming artists, offering soulful melodies and a toe-tapping good time. With an array of art, food, and other vendors, the final weekend in May will be the height of festivities. But you can also check out events the entire month at various venues throughout the city.
Want more springtime inspiration? Join the Localite community and discover the best of ATL this season.
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