Indianapolis St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2026: Complete Visitor Guide

Updated March 12, 2026

Two days, two signature events, one very green downtown. Here's everything you need to know.

Parade: Friday, March 13 · Shamrock Run: Saturday, March 14 · Organized by The Athletic Club Foundation · Full event info

Weekend Schedule at a Glance

Thursday, March 12 — Greening of the Canal

• 5:00 PM — 30th Annual Greening of the Canal. The downtown canal is dyed green to kick off St. Patrick's Day weekend. Free to watch. Head to the Canal Walk near the Indiana State Museum.

Friday, March 13 — Parade Day

• 9:30 AM — Block party opens on North Street (between Meridian and Pennsylvania). Live Irish music on the Hoosier Lottery stage, food trucks, beer garden.
• 11:30 AM — 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off.
• 1:00 PM — Parade ends.
• 3:00 PM — Block party closes.
• 5:00 - 7:00 PM — Shamrock Run packet pickup at IFD Union Hall (748 Mass Ave).

Saturday, March 14 — Shamrock Run & Walk

• 9:30 - 11:00 AM — Race-morning packet pickup at IFD Union Hall (748 Mass Ave).
• 11:00 AM — 33rd Annual Shamrock Run & Walk starts (4 miles).
• 11:00 AM — Post-race party opens at Bottleworks District on Carrollton Avenue (free, open to the public).

The 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

The largest St. Patrick's Day parade in Indiana. Approximately 100 units march through downtown — Irish-themed floats, helium balloons, marching bands, pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers, Catholic schools, Irish organizations, local businesses, and nonprofits. It's free, rain or shine, and very family-friendly.

Parade Route

The parade assembles on North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets. It steps off heading south on Pennsylvania Street, turns west on Ohio Street, then north on Meridian Street, ending back at North Street. The entire loop is compact and walkable — you can see the whole parade from one spot.

Block Party

The block party on North Street opens at 9:30 AM — two hours before the parade. Live Irish music from Highland Reign and A Beautiful Day on the Hoosier Lottery stage, food trucks, and a beer garden. Stays open until 3:00 PM, so you can linger after the parade ends.

The 33rd Annual Shamrock Run & Walk

A 4-mile run/walk through one of Indianapolis's most beautiful historic neighborhoods. This is not a 5K — it's 4 miles (6.4 km). The course starts at the IFD Union Hall on Mass Ave and runs north through the Old Northside neighborhood before turning back south to finish at Bottleworks District.

Registration

Register at indystpats.com or on GetMeRegistered.com. Race-morning registration is available at the start line.

Packet Pickup

• Friday, March 13: 5:00 - 7:00 PM at IFD Union Hall (748 Mass Ave, at St. Clair and College)
• Saturday, March 14 (race morning): 9:30 - 11:00 AM at IFD Union Hall

The Course

Start: IFD Union Hall, 748 Massachusetts Avenue (at St. Clair and College)
Route: North through the Old Northside neighborhood — a beautiful historic area with Victorian architecture
Finish: Bottleworks District on Carrollton Avenue

The Old Northside is one of Indianapolis's oldest neighborhoods — tree-lined streets and historic homes. It's a scenic course even if you're walking it.

Post-Race Party

The finish-line party at Bottleworks District is free and open to the public — you don't need to run to attend. Beer garden on Carrollton Avenue, food available in The Garage Food Hall (20+ vendors), and live stage entertainment. Pins Mechanical (duckpin bowling and pinball) is right there if you want post-race entertainment.

Shamrock Beer Run 5K & BrewFest — A Separate Event

• Date: Saturday, March 14 (same day as the Shamrock Run)
• Location: Military Park (adjacent to the Indiana Convention Center)
• Schedule: Gates open 11:30 AM, staggered 5K waves 1:30 - 2:30 PM
• Age: 21+ only
• Pricing: BrewFest only from $15 / 5K + BrewFest from $46

If you want to do both events, it's possible — the Shamrock Run starts at 11:00 AM and the Beer Run doesn't start until 1:30 PM. But they're on opposite sides of downtown, so plan your transportation.

Parking

For the Parade (Friday)

The parade route is on North Street and the surrounding blocks — right in the heart of downtown. Use any of the major downtown garages:

• Circle Centre Garage (49 W Maryland St) — large, central, ~5 min walk to parade route
• Pan Am Plaza Garage (201 S Capitol Ave) — ~7 min walk, often less expensive
• Market District Garage (202 E Market St) — ~5 min walk, good if coming from the east side

Street meters are free on weekends and after 9 PM on weekdays. Friday is a weekday, so meters are enforced until 9 PM — but they're free after that.

For the Shamrock Run (Saturday)

• Free parking: Circle City Industrial Complex lot (1400 E. 12th Street) — shuttle or short walk to the start line
• Bottleworks District: Paid parking on Mass Ave at Bottleworks ($6 for 0-3 hours, $9 for 3-12 hours) — convenient if you want to be near the finish line and the post-race party
• Street meters: Free on Saturday — park along Mass Ave or the surrounding streets and walk to the start

Where to Eat & Drink

The parade block party has food trucks and a beer garden, and the Shamrock Run finishes at Bottleworks — one of the best food and drink destinations in the city. But if you're looking for a sit-down meal or want to explore, here are the best options near the action.

Near the Parade (Downtown / North Street Area)

• Loughmiller's Pub — No-frills downtown pub, cold beer, solid burgers and tenderloins. Budget-friendly. 5 min from the parade route. (Note: closes at 8 PM and is closed Sundays.)
• Slippery Noodle Inn — Indiana's oldest bar (since 1850). Live blues music, pub food, great beer selection. A little further south but worth the walk.
• Sun King Brewing — Indianapolis's flagship craft brewery. The taproom is lively and walkable from the parade area. Bring your own food or order delivery — they don't serve food but allow outside food.
• Kilroy's Bar & Grill — High-energy sports bar on Georgia Street. Big menu, big drinks, loud atmosphere — perfect for post-parade energy.

Near the Shamrock Run Start / Mass Ave

• The Eagle Mass Ave — Best fried chicken on Mass Ave. No reservations, walk-in only. Great for a post-run lunch.
• Bakersfield — Street tacos, 100+ tequilas. Lively atmosphere, outdoor seating. 12 min walk from the Convention Center.
• Salt on Mass — Craft cocktails, modern American small plates. A more refined option if you want to sit down properly.

Near the Finish Line / Bottleworks District

• The Garage Food Hall — 20+ vendors: lobster rolls, tacos, poke, fish & chips, arepas, ice cream, and craft cocktails. Perfect for groups.
• Pins Mechanical — Duckpin bowling, pinball, and craft drinks. Great post-run entertainment, right next to the finish line.
• Bottleworks Hotel — If you're splurging, this is the closest luxury hotel to the finish line. Modita restaurant on-site.

Tips for St. Patrick's Day Weekend

• Dress in layers. Mid-March in Indianapolis averages highs around 50°F and lows near 35°F. You'll want a jacket for the morning that you can shed by noon. A packable rain jacket is smart insurance.
• The parade is rain or shine. They don't cancel for weather. Bring an umbrella or poncho if the forecast looks iffy.
• Green is expected. You will feel conspicuous without at least one green item. This is not optional.
• Both events are family-friendly. The parade and the Shamrock Run welcome all ages. The Beer Run at Military Park is 21+ only.
• Mass Ave will be busy Saturday morning. The Shamrock Run starts at 748 Mass Ave — expect road closures and crowds on Mass Ave and the surrounding streets from 9:00 AM through early afternoon.
• Plan your Friday-Saturday combo. If you're doing both events: watch the parade Friday, pick up your Shamrock Run packet at 5 PM at IFD Union Hall, then run Saturday morning. Dinner Friday night on Mass Ave sets you up perfectly for the Saturday start line.
• The post-race party is open to everyone. Even if you don't run, head to Bottleworks on Saturday around noon for the free party on Carrollton Avenue.
• Rideshare surge warning. Both events end around the same time Saturday afternoon. If the Beer Run at Military Park and the Shamrock Run party at Bottleworks are winding down simultaneously, expect surge pricing. Walk to a pickup point a few blocks away from the crowds for better rates.