This St. Patrick’s celebration invites the community to show their Irish spirit, wear a touch of green and support downtown businesses alongside the St. Patrick Society of the Quad Cities’ 40th annual Grand Parade.
The parade officially kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street, but fun for all ages starts bright and early and continues all day – long after the last bagpipe passes.
From authentic Irish fare and St. Pat’s drink specials to live music, hands-on crafts and leprechaun photo ops, participating businesses throughout downtown are offering festive ways to celebrate the holiday beyond the parade route.
The St. Patrick Society Grand Parade starts in Downtown Rock Island, Illinois, and crosses into to Downtown Davenport, Iowa, for a bi-state celebration.
Just off the Grand Parade route, Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Ave., will come to life during the Shamrock Showcase beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 14. Activities include free face painting, leprechaun interactions and photo ops, Flaherty's Irish Candy Co.'s pop-up shop and La Flama Mexican Restaurant's food truck.
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1430 4th Avenue | 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Green, fruit-forward specialty drinks Holy Green (apple, kiwi, lime, peach) and Lucky Leprechaun (kiwi, lime, blueberry) are crafted with clean energy to keep you feeling sham-rocked all day long.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stitch & Bitch: Socialize, get help on your current project from the community and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee. No registration required.
10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Shop: Browse affordable yarns, discover new projects and connect with fellow makers in this welcoming shop featuring pop-up vendors.
217 17th Street | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop in green and save some green on parade day. Wear your St. Patrick’s Day green and receive 50% off your purchase (excludes Makobi and Trendy Jendy brands).
1809 2nd Avenue | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (or until sold out)
Celebrate parade day with Ireland-flag bagels, Irish-themed spreads and hearty breakfast sandwiches served on potato bagels. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on the deck with tunes from Just Let Go vinyl DJ collective next to the Green Lawn and Rock Island Letters.
2324 5th Avenue | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fuel your parade day with 10% off festive drinks from the St. Patrick’s Day menu.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Brewed Awakening pop-up serving donation-based cold brews and energy drinks
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Patty’s Sip & Shop with free themed mimosas
Complimentary snacks and festive shopping
Arts Alley Pop-up Shop, 1719 2nd Avenue | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Irish toffee and other sweet Irish treats bring a fan-favorite tradition back to Arts Alley alongside other vendors. Hot buttered rum samples and classic festive favorites and confections.
124 18th Street | Doors open at 9 a.m.
Join the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Party featuring festive drinks and parade-day favorites, including corned beef breakfast burritos for a good cause, Lucky Charms Martinis and loaded bloody marys. The first 200 guests who purchase a commemorative cup will receive a prize.
Arts Alley, 1719 2nd Avenue | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Convenient walk-up service just steps from the parade route, featuring tacos, breakfast burritos, beans, rice, chips, soft drinks, bottled water and coffee.
2107 4th Avenue | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Enjoy a front-row view of the parade along with festive drink specials and full-menu offerings.
1700 2nd Avenue | 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 13
Pre-Parade Party Prep
Get parade-ready with pre-celebration beauty services, such as spray tans and makeup tinting (think freckles and lip liner), festival hair, tinsel, feathers and more. Afterimage Boutique will have all the green gear and permanent jewelry.
219 17th Street | 7 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Grand Parade route sponsor starting the celebration early with $5 breakfast burritos, $4 aluminum bottle beers and $5 bloody marys.
1524 4th Avenue | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
It's everyone's lucky day at NEST Café, where you can build your own burrito and pay whatever you're able. NEST Café is the QC's pay-what-you-can restaurant, serving up delicious, nutrient-dense meals to leprechauns & non-leprechauns alike!
Arts Alley Pop-Up Shop, 1719 2nd Avenue | 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Free professional face painting with festive, family-friendly designs to add a little extra color to parade day alongside other vendors in Arts Alley. Two minutes per person.
2301 4th Avenue | 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Grand Parade route sponsor offering a full day of St. Patrick’s Day fun, with festive décor, cozy bar and games near the start of the parade.
1831 3rd Avenue | 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Corned beef and cabbage on special alongside breakfast and lunch favorites throughout parade day.
1801 2nd Avenue | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Producers-only farmers market featuring potatoes, microgreens and other seasonal take-home goods. Pre-orders encouraged.
1715 2nd Avenue | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Explore the gallery and gift store featuring local artwork and unique finds.
2 – 6 p.m.
Short Stacks presented by Just Let Go, featuring four one-hour themed DJ sets by four local DJs
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
20% off used vinyl, CDs and tapes
9:30–10:30 a.m.
Yoga class. Pre-registration encouraged.
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Parade Party in the Lab, featuring a photo booth, signature drink with electrolytes and indoor viewing of the parade with gym windows open.
226 17th Street | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Grand Parade route sponsor offering green beer specials and corned beef and cabbage all day.
10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Live DJ sets by DJ Shane Brown
2-4 p.m.
Free live music by Corporate Rock
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Festive food and drink specials
2106 4th Avenue | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Shamrock Stack 3D Wood Art Day on the parade route. For $20 per person, guests may build and paint a laser-cut wooden shamrock using layered pieces and acrylic paint to create a bold 3D effect. All materials provided. Take home a finished piece ready to display. Walk-ins welcome, pre-registration encouraged.
520 18th Street | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Shamrock Side Quest, featuring unexpected, family-friendly fun all day. No ticket. No secret code. Lucky finds and special sales throughout the store. Festive drinks and snacks.
223 17th Street -- Grand Parade route sponsor offering drink specials and live entertainment.
1-7 p.m.
Free live music by Lynn Allen (1-4 p.m.) and Ian Bebon (4-7 p.m.)
7 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Limited food menu, $4 aluminum bottle beers and $5 bloody mary
1818 3rd Avenue | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ruben nachos and specials on beer, bloody marys and select shots of spirits. Water and soft drinks available as well.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Free live music, featuring Addi Airing and Doug Brundies
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Event venue on the parade route with a full bar and food service, including corned beef and cabbage, burgers and hot dogs, plus an outdoor DJ
