Parades & Pub Crawls: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Around Spokane Valley

When March turns green, the Inland Northwest celebrates on both sides of the state line—and Spokane Valley puts you right in the middle of it all. This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on Tuesday, March 17, which means the parades, pub crawls, and Irish festivities kick off the prior weekend across Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. With I-90 running straight through the Valley, you’re just minutes from every shamrock-shaking event on the calendar, yet you get to come home each night to spacious hotel rooms, free parking, and the kind of quiet, open-air charm that recharges you for the next round of fun. Whether you’re loading the kids into the car or slipping away for a couples’ getaway, a Spokane Valley stay is the smartest play for this Irish weekend.

YOUR SPOKANE-TO-CDA WEEKEND ITINERARY

FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Roll into the Valley on Friday afternoon and trade the long drive for an easy evening. Check into your hotel—every Spokane Valley hotel offers free parking, so you can leave the car right outside your door—and stretch your legs on a riverside stroll along the Centennial Trail. The 37-mile paved pathway runs right through Spokane Valley along the Spokane River, connecting to trails in both Spokane and Idaho, and a short sunset walk is the perfect way to shake off road fatigue while soaking in the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Conley’s Place on East Sprague for an early taste of the weekend’s Irish theme. This Spokane Valley original serves Irish-influenced comfort food—think traditional Reubens, fish and chips, and soda bread—alongside a sweet-and-savory bakery turning out fruit pies and pot pies. Browse the adjoining specialty shop for wine, homemade dressings, and unique gifts before settling in for the night. Families will appreciate the old-fashioned dining atmosphere, while couples can linger over a quiet glass of wine—a low-key Friday evening before two packed days of celebrations

SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Saturday is the main event, and staying in Spokane Valley gives you the flexibility to choose between the region’s signature parades. Start the morning at Spokane Valley Mall to stock up on green gear—shirts, shamrock hats, beads, and face paint for the whole crew. With the mall right off I‑90 and plenty of free parking, it’s a quick, low-stress start to the day before you head toward your chosen festivities.

If you’re craving big-city energy and a full day downtown, point the car west for a quick 15-minute drive into Spokane. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade fills the streets with bagpipes, Irish dancers, community groups, and a sea of green, creating a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that feels like an Irish block party stretching through the city. After the parade, keep the Irish mood going with lunch at Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub or O’Doherty’s Irish Grille, where you can dig into fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, and other classic pub favorites in kid‑friendly dining rooms. Refuel before heading back to the Valley for a quiet evening or gearing up for a night out.

If a laid-back, scenic setting sounds more like your speed, take I‑90 30 minutes east to downtown Coeur d’Alene. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade there may be more compact, but it trades size for atmosphere, rolling past boutiques and cafés with Lake Coeur d’Alene just a short stroll away. It’s an ideal choice if you love walkable streets and postcard‑worthy backdrops. After the parade, tuck into The Crown & Thistle Pub for Guinness short rib pie, shepherd’s pie, or a hearty British‑Irish–style meal before cruising back to your Spokane Valley hotel.

For couples looking for an adults-only Saturday night, the Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl takes over downtown Spokane from 4 p.m. to midnight, based out of Fast Eddie’s. Your ticket includes two to three drinks or shots, no cover charges at participating bars, a stadium party cup, green and gold beads, and access to exclusive drink specials and an after-party. Park for free at your Valley hotel, rideshare downtown, then retreat back to your quiet Valley hotel when you’re ready to call it a night.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Sunday’s celebration comes with a finish line. The Shamrock Shuffle at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane offers a range of race distances for every age and ability, all launching from the North Bank Park shelter. The Kids Fun Run kicks off at 8:10 a.m., followed by the half-marathon at 8:30 a.m., the 10K at 9:15 a.m., and the 5K at 9:20 a.m. It’s a festive, feel-good race through Spokane’s scenic riverside paths, and the whole family can participate—register the kids for the Fun Run and line the course to cheer them on, or lace up yourself for the 5K. Packet pickup is available Saturday at the GMC of Riverfront Park, so you can grab your bib while you’re downtown for the parade. If you need last-minute race gear, Saturday’s trip to Spokane Valley Mall doubles as race prep.

Keep the activity alive, but dial down the intensity with a gentle reset in the Dishman Hills Conservation Area. The Rocks of Sharon hike, an approachable 3-mile round-trip located in the heart of Spokane Valley, winds past granite formations and delivers sweeping views of the Palouse to the south and Coeur d’Alene to the north. Refreshingly uncrowded, it’s a chance to replace crowds and costumes with a calmer kind of green.

As the afternoon unfolds, cocktail enthusiasts can head to Hogwash Whiskey Den in downtown Spokane for “The Spirit of Ireland: Whiskey,” an interactive cocktail class running from 3 to 5 p.m.. Guided by mixologists and a Raising the Bar historian, you’ll learn the history, techniques, and tools for mixing Irish whiskey cocktails—an unforgettable couples’ experience to cap the weekend.

Meanwhile, families flock to the Coeur d’Irish St. Patrick’s Day Party at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, running from 5-9 pm. Expect Irish libations and food, live bands, Irish dancers, bagpipers, carnival-style games, and a costume contest that draws the whole family into the fun. It’s a fitting grand finale to a weekend full of Irish cheer, and from Spokane Valley, you’re just a quick I-90 cruise to the Resort’s front door.

MONDAY, MARCH 16

For travelers who can stay through Monday, Spokane Valley turns departure day into part of the vacation instead of a scramble. Sleep in a bit, then enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Because you’re not fighting downtown traffic or circling busy city blocks, you can pack the car at your own pace, make one last stop for coffee or snacks, and pull directly onto I‑90 feeling refreshed rather than rushed.

BOOK YOUR SPOKANE VALLEY STAY TODAY

From spacious rooms to free parking at every hotel, Spokane Valley has a variety of accommodations to give you the comfort and savings to make the most of St. Patrick’s Day weekend in the Inland Northwest. Downtown Spokane’s parades and pubs sit only 15 minutes west, Coeur d’Alene’s lakeside celebrations 30 minutes east—yet every night ends in a place that feels refreshingly removed from the rush. Whether you’re here for the kids’ fun run, the whiskey class, or the costume contest, Spokane Valley keeps the whole weekend balanced.

Keep the craic close and the comfort closer—book Spokane Valley before rooms run out.