Embrace your inner leprechaun and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Des Moines with family-friendly weekend events.
St. Patrick’s Day Activities in Des Moines
March 17 | Geocache Leprechaun Hunt, Fort Des Moines Park,
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn to use a GPS and go search the woods to find the hidden pots of gold, collecting candy and prizes along the way. Keep an eye out for leprechauns along the way! $5/family
March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day Pre-Parade Celebration, The Shop DSM
7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Join them for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day parade family-friendly event at The Shop DSM!
Their first open-to-the-public event, with firefighters serving pancake breakfast, kids activities, and more, right off the parade route.
March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown
Noon
Join the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa for their annual parade, starting just before the intersection of Mulberry and 15th streets and making its way to Grand Avenue. Don’t forget to wear green!
March 17 | Catch the Leprechaun Hunt, Franklin Public Library
All day
Help find the sneaky leprechaun in the children’s area. Follow the clues and it might lead to a treasure at the end of the rainbow. All ages.
March 18 | Des Moines St. Paddy’s Day Marathon & Half Marathon
Don your best green race gear and race toward the end of the rainbow. Bring the whole family for the ‘Kids Dash Start’ and 5K.
