Parades, Bar Crawls, & 5Ks – St. Patrick’s Day 2026 in Eastern Iowa

St. Patrick's Day 2026 will be here in just a few short days! Let's take a look at some of the big events happening in Eastern Iowa ahead of the holiday:

For a FULL list of March events in Eastern Iowa, click HERE!

SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick's Day Parade

The biggest parade in the Corridor is the SaPaDaPaSo St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Cedar Rapids. It will take place on the actual day of St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17th, beginning at 1 p.m. This year is the 51st annual event and will follow the traditional parade route. It starts at 6th Street & 3rd Ave, turns left onto 2nd Ave, then left onto 1st Street, and left again on 3rd Ave. The parade ends with a right turn onto 5th Street.

At one point during the parade route, there is a stage with a panel of local celebrity judges who are tasked with choosing the best entries. The official SaPaDaPaSo website says there are a number of different categories, including best costumes, best Irish theme, and more. The winners will be announced at Cliff's Dive Bar after the parade is over.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to avoid parking anywhere within the parade limits after 9 a.m. on the 17th - that includes the route AND the staging areas. Any cars left behind will be towed.

Be on the lookout for us in the KHAK truck during this year's parade - we are entry number 30! If you can't make it to the event, you can watch the parade on KCRG digital channel 9.2.

Other Eastern Iowa Parades

Cedar Rapids isn't the only city having a St. Patrick's Day parade in 2026! Here are some of the other parades happening in Eastern Iowa:

Grand Parade XL

• Downtown Rock Island to Downtown Davenport
• Saturday, March 14th at 11:30 a.m.
• Post-Parade Bash will take place at the RiverCenter from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Dyersville's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

• St. Francis Xavier Basilica/Downtown Dyersville
• Saturday, March 14th at 1:30 p.m.

Wee Parade

• Uptown Snug, Marion
• Saturday, March 14th at 2 p.m. - lineup at 1:30 p.m.
• "Everyone’s a wee bit Irish at the Wee Parade… and this beloved Marion tradition is celebrating 8 years running! Grab your green, gather your friends, and join us for one of the most fun afternoons of the year.  Live music starts immediately after the parade ends. Costumes encouraged."

St. Patrick's Day Parade

• Downtown Charles City
• Saturday, March 14th at 1 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

• Waukon, Iowa
• Sunday, March 15th at 1 p.m.

Elkader St. Patrick's Day Parade

• Main Street, Downtown Elkader
• Tuesday, March 17th at 5:30 p.m.

Kids' Events

If you're looking to take the kiddos somewhere for a little St. Patrick's Day fun over spring break, here are a few of the activities geared towards children in 2026:

Fetch Some Fun Fridays - St. Patrick's Day Crafts

• PAWS & More Animal Shelter, Washington
• Friday, March 13th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Kid’s Club St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

• Edgewood Rd Hy-Vee, Cedar Rapids
• Saturday, March 14th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Pancake Bar is $3

Breakfast With a Leprechaun

• Ansborough Ave Hy-Vee, Waterloo
• Saturday, March 14th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Breakfast is $9.99 - Kids 12 & under eat FREE

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

• Kennedy Mall, Dubuque
• Sunday, March 15th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day Craft - Green Slime

• Amana Community Library
• Tuesday, March 17th at 10 a.m.

Shamrock Skate

• ImOn Ice Arena, Cedar Rapids
• Tuesday, March 17th at 12:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.
• $8 per skater - skate rental is free

St. Patrick's Day Story Time

• Hiawatha Public Library
• Tuesday, March 17th at 10 a.m.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts & Mini Parade

• Iowa City Public Library
• Tuesday, March 17th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day Activities

• Monticello Public Library
• Tuesday, March 17th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Magical St. Patrick’s Day Kids’ Party

• Welcome Home Center, Mount Pleasant
• Tuesday, March 17th from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

• Newhall Public Library
• Tuesday, March 17th from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Rocket Into a Pot of Gold

• Vinton Public Library
• Tuesday, March 17th at 1:30 p.m.

Pre-St. Patrick's Day Parties & Events

While many of this year's celebrations will happen on the actual day of St. Patrick's Day, there are some events that will be held the weekend before! Here are some of the big pre-St. Patrick's Day events happening from Thursday the 12th through Sunday the 15th:

*Downtown Davenport's celebrations coincide with their annual parade on March 14th - check out a list of local parties & events in that area on Facebook HERE*

Sip, Shop & Shamrock

• Downtown Swisher
• Thursday, March 12th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Patrick's Bash

• Millstream Brewing Co. Warehouse, Amana
• Saturday, March 14th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• .5k Beer & Pretzel Run
  • Starts at 7 p.m.
  • Register online HERE

• Wapsipinicon State Park, Anamosa
• Saturday, March 14th at 10 a.m.
• Register online HERE

• Participating businesses on Main Street, Anamosa
• Saturday, March 14th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Steins are $20 - purchase them HERE

Shamrock Shuffle Color Run 5K

• Crapo Park, Burlington
• Saturday, March 14th at 10 a.m.
• Register online HERE

Get Lucky! Shopping Event

• Cedar Falls Downtown District
• Saturday, March 14th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Official Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

• 7 Downtown Cedar Rapids bars/restaurants
• Saturday, March 14th from 4 p.m. to midnight
• Purchase tickets HERE

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

• Iowa City Harley Davidson, Coralville
• Saturday, March 14th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day Pre-Game Party

• Key City Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Dubuque
• Saturday, March 14th at 11 a.m.

45th Annual Gaelic Gallop St. Patrick's Day Race

• St. Francis Xavier School, Dyersville
• Saturday, March 14th at 9:30 a.m.
• Featuring an 8K, a 2-Mile Run/Walk, and the "Leprechaun Leap" (ages 6 and under) - register online HERE

St. Paddy's 2026

• Commercial Club Park, Dyersville
• Saturday, March 14th from 4 p.m. to midnight

Farley St. Patty's Day Bash

• Farley Memorial Hall
• Saturday, March 14th from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Lisbon Fire Department St. Patrick's Day Dance

• Tin Roof Hideaway and Event Center, Lisbon
• Saturday, March 14th from 8 p.m. to midnight

St. Patrick's Concert & Party

• Temple of the Creative Arts, Ottumwa
• Saturday, March 14th at 7:30 p.m.
• Admission is $10

St. Patty's Day Party

• Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson/Yamaha, Waterloo
• Saturday, March 14th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ryan St. Patrick's Day Breakfast

• Ryan American Legion
• Sunday, March 15th from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Cost is a free will donation - the public is welcome

St. Patrick's Day Pancake Breakfast

• Allamakee County Fairgrounds, Waukon
• Sunday, March 15th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost is a free will donation

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READ MORE: 2026 Egg Hunts & Easter Events in Eastern Iowa [LIST]