St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious feast day honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with helping spread Christianity across Ireland in the 5th century.
Over time, March 17 grew into a broader celebration of Irish culture, music, and food, especially in cities with strong Irish communities.
Today, people around the world mark the day with parades, green outfits, shamrocks, and plenty of good food and drink.
Why Green, Shamrocks, and All The Irish Symbols
A few symbols show up everywhere on St. Patrick’s Day, including in Scottsdale:
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Green clothing: Wearing green started as a show of Irish pride and is now a simple way to “join in” the fun.
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Shamrocks: Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, which helped turn it into a lasting symbol of the holiday.
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Irish music and dance: Bagpipes, fiddles, and step dancing often take center stage at festivals and bar parties.
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Corned beef and cabbage: This dish became popular with Irish immigrants and is now a St. Patrick’s Day favorite at many pubs and restaurants.
If you are planning St. Patrick’s Day activities in Scottsdale, expect to see all of these woven into local events.
Scottsdale St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls and Nightlife
Scottsdale’s lively bar scene makes it a top pick for those looking for an upbeat St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Several St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl events in Scottsdale turn Old Town into one big green party.
One of the biggest options is the Scottsdale St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl 2026, which hits multiple top bars in a single afternoon and evening.
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Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
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Time: Typically 1 pm to 8 pm for the main crawl, with after-parties running later into the night.
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Location: Multiple bars in and around Old Town Scottsdale, with check-in at a central venue like 50 Shades of Rose or similar partner spots.
Highlights often include:
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Entry to 4 or more bars with no cover during crawl hours
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St. Patrick’s Day drink specials and themed cocktails
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Green outfits everywhere, from shamrock sunglasses to full costumes
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A final late-night stop, often at a spot like Pattie’s First Avenue Lounge in Old Town
To see details or buy tickets, check out the official Scottsdale St. Patrick’s bar crawl listings on platforms like Eventbrite and Downtown Crawlers.
Irish Pubs and Local Hangouts in Scottsdale
If a full bar crawl is not your style, you can still enjoy St. Patrick’s Day at Irish pubs in Scottsdale that go all out for the holiday.
A few popular places to look up include:
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Clancy’s Pub: A long-time favorite that turns St. Patrick’s Day into an all-day party with Irish coffee in the morning, green beer, live music, and a packed patio.
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K O’Donnell’s Sports Bar & Grill: This North Scottsdale spot promotes a full St. Patrick’s Day party with authentic Irish food, drinks, live music on the patio, and Irish dancing. Doors usually open around 11 am, and the party keeps going through the evening.
Typical St. Patrick’s Day features at these pubs include:
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Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and other Irish-inspired dishes
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Green beer, Irish whiskey, and stout on tap
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Live bands, DJs, and sometimes Irish step dancers or bagpipe performances
For updated hours and special menus, visit each pub’s St. Patrick’s Day event page or social media feed as March 17 gets closer.
Family-friendly Ways to Celebrate in and Around Scottsdale
While the bar crawls bring big energy, there are also family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day things to do near Scottsdale.
Ideas for a more relaxed day:
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Head into Phoenix for the St. Patrick’s Day parade and faire, which often features floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, and food tents serving traditional dishes like corned beef and cabbage.
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Visit the Irish Cultural Center & McClelland Library in nearby Phoenix to learn more about Irish history, heritage, and traditions.
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Plan your own neighborhood celebration in Scottsdale with:
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A green pancake breakfast
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A walk or bike ride around the neighborhood in your best green gear
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A simple Irish-inspired dinner at home followed by music and movies
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These smaller gatherings are a nice way to blend St. Patrick’s Day history and traditions with the laid-back Scottsdale lifestyle.
Get Ready To Go Green in Scottsdale
St. Patrick’s Day in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers a little bit of everything, from high-energy bar crawls in Old Town to Irish pub parties and family-friendly outings.
If you will be in town this March, start planning now so you can grab tickets, pick your outfit, and decide how you want to celebrate.
Sources: eventbrite.com, pubcrawls.com, downtowncrawlers.com, theirishroadtrip.com
Header Image Source: RDNE Stock project
