Where to celebrate St. Patrick's Day all week long
From parades and Irish fests to shows and bar specials, there's nothing quite like St. Patrick's Day in the Chicago area.
With plenty of options for fun this week, it's time to celebrate your Irish heritage — or any heritage, really. Below is a roundup of activities, ranging from family-friendly to adults-only.
'Flanagan's Wake'
An interactive dinner theater show depicts colorful characters from an Irish town who come together to mourn the death of a local. The Chicago return of “Flanagan's Wake” premiered Feb. 26 at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave. The show opened in 1994 and went on to become one of the longest-running shows in Chicago theater history.
The production focuses on an eclectic group of characters, including Flanagan's spirited fiancee, his best friend and drinking mate, a sharp-tongued parish priest and the town mayor and bartender. Mourners pay their respects in the Irish tradition, with a quick stop at the pub first. Certain performances include an Irish dinner. Tickets for the dinner and show cost $49. To learn more or buy tickets, visit ChicagoTheaterWorks.com.
St. Patrick's concert at McHenry County College
McHenry County College's popular St. Patrick's concert features Irish music, folk songs and dance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the Luecht Conference Center at the college, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.
The free show is open to the public. Following a round of performances from the McNulty Irish Dancers, college music instructor Pat Gaughan and her duet partner, L.J. Slavin, will perform traditional Irish favorites, ballads and instrumental tunes. The duo performs concert series throughout the Midwest at clubs, festivals and colleges.
For details, call (815) 479-7814.
'SNAKES!! A St. Patrick's Day Nightmare: A Pot of Golden Terror'
Wildclaw Theatre, a horror theater company in Chicago, presents a holiday-themed show at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. The evening includes a performance of “Banshee” and a live reading of the cult horror classic “Leprechaun: The Reading,” which depicts a small town terrorized by a demonic leprechaun who awakes with a taste for vengeance. Experience them at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.
Admission is $10 online or $12 at the door. To learn more or buy tickets, visit wildclawtheatre.com.
Timothy O'Toole's St. Patrick's Day party
The first St. Patrick's Day party at Libertyville's Timothy O'Toole's, at 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., features green beer, Irish dancers, a leprechaun, an Irish-inspired menu and more. The party starts at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 17, with plenty of drink specials.
The Gurnee pub, at 5572 Grand Ave., features an Irish menu now through March 17, along with drink specials. On St. Patty's Day, there will be a pipe band, a leprechaun, a balloon artist and other activities.
To learn more, visit timothyotooles.com/.
KeyLime Cove goes green
The holiday marks the return of the indoor Gurnee waterpark's “Bring Your Own Leprechaun” promotion. On March 17, guests are invited to create their own leprechauns to present at check-in for a reduced rate of $149.95 per night for a queen deluxe stateroom and up to six water park passes.
Leprechauns can be in the form of homemade costumes, temporary tattoos or favorite storybooks and drawings. The artist behind the most creative leprechaun will be crowned in a costume contest and awarded a free night's stay next St. Patrick's Day. Entertainment includes the McNulty Irish Dancers, themed activities and a shamrock hunt.
To book online, visit the “Specials” page at keylimecove.com or call (877) 360-0403. To find the “Bring Your Own Leprechaun” room rate, use promo code STPATTY.
Punch Bowl Social's St. Patty's
The all-in-one dining and entertainment mecca in Schaumburg is gearing up for St. Patty's Day with a lucky green punch bowl and a selection of holiday-themed eats. The “Wearing of the Green” punch bowl, featuring Irish whiskey, New Amsterdam Orange and green tea will be accompanied by a shepherd's pie and potatoes.
Punch Bowl Social features bars, food and entertainment, including karaoke, arcade games, bowling and more. For details, see punchbowlsocial.com/Schaumburg/.
Northwest Celtic Fest
The fifth annual Northwest Celtic Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway in Hoffman Estates.
The fest showcases all things Irish, Welsh and Scottish and celebrates Celtic heritage. There will be a scotch and beer tasting, live music, dancing and Celtic food, as well as free kids' activities, rugby demonstrations and a birds of prey display.
Parking and event entry are free. To see a full festival schedule and the latest updates, visit facebook.com/NWCelticFest.
Shamrock 5K Beer Run
This isn't your ordinary 5K run — expect to see plenty of drinks along this route. Participants will be decked out in green everything for the Shamrock 5K Beer Run in downtown Arlington Heights, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Vail Avenue and Campbell Street.
The route features five beer stops, one at each 1K, offering 3 ounces of craft beer — because of course you'll be super thirsty. If that's not enough, participants also will get a souvenir pint-glass and T-shirt. After the race? There'll be plenty more to drink — obviously.
It costs $40 to run the race, $35 for designated driver runners and $10 for spectators who want to hang out in the finish area. To learn more, visit shamrockbeerrun.com/Chicago/.
Palatine Paints the Town Green
Palatine's St. Patrick's Day festivities center around the parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 19, at Wood and Oak streets in downtown Palatine. The parade features more than 600 participants and serves as a food and paper product drive for Journeys, The Road Home. Post-parade festivities include an Irish Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the tent in the front parking lot of Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St. To learn more and see the full schedule, visit stpatspalatine.com.