A Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Montgomery County

St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday where you could normally find Montgomery County residents celebrating at favorite local pubs such as McGinty’s or Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle, will undoubtedly look very different this year. Luckily, the community can look forward to a range of both in-person and virtual events planned to celebrate with family and friends while staying safe.

Many events are taking place throughout the entire week of March 17. Here are some of the special celebrations you can look forward to:

• Rio’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration:
  • • Photo Scavenger Hunt: From March 1 – March 31, residents will have the chance to win weekly prizes from Rio and the City of Gaithersburg through a scavenger hunt around Rio’s retail streets.
  
  • Irish Step Dance Classes: On Monday, March 15, Hurley School of Irish Dance will be hosting beginner Irish step dance classes at the Rio Boardwalk Stage.
  • Decorate Your Own Cookie: Lilly Magilly’s exclusive Lucky Cookie Kits can be picked up on Tuesday, March 16 for $34.50 per kit.
  • St. Paddy’s Day Spirit Kits: Limited-edition spirit kits include shamrock glasses, beads, a lucky mask, and more can be picked up on Wednesday, March 17 for $5 per person.

   

• AFI Silver’s 2021 Capital Irish Film Festival: March 4 – March 14.
  • • “AFI Silver is proud to host the 15th Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF), presented by Solas Nua. Celebrating Irish identity, culture and artistry, CIFF’s lineup brings the best in contemporary Irish cinema to the Washington, D.C. capital area.”

   

   

   

   

• Montgomery Parks’ Shamrockin’ Run: Saturday, March 13; 11 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
  • This free race will be held at the Lake Needwood trail in Rock Creek Regional Park. The event is open to people and dogs of all ages. All county and state COVID-19 guidelines will be in place with masks and social distancing enforced.

For those looking for a socially distanced restaurant and bar experience, the following Irish-themed restaurants have these special offers:

• Finnegan’s Wake offers outdoor seating, and visitors can enjoy live music in Rockville Town Square on Wednesday, March 17th.
• McGinty’s in Silver Spring is open for indoor dining until 10 p.m. and offers takeout and curbside pickup on Ellsworth Drive every evening up until 8 p.m.
• Lahinch Tavern & Grill in Potomac offers both takeout and dine-in options, and will have live music on March 17 for their special St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

About Abby Espiritu

Abby Espiritu was an intern at Montgomery Community Media in the spring of 2021.

View all posts by Abby Espiritu