From Oxford, Maryland’s waterfront to the streets of Easton, from Milford’s downtown pub crawl to the biggest parade on the Maryland shore, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate between now and March 17.
Here’s your guide to everything happening in in the area this St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, March 13
Oxford, Maryland: Traditional Irish Dinner & Music
Oxford, Maryland — one of the Eastern Shore’s most charming waterfront towns — kicks off the weekend with a traditional Irish dinner and live music on Friday evening. It’s the kind of low-key, local-feel event that reminds you why people fall hard for small-town Eastern Shore life. Check the event page on Facebook for reservation details.
Saturday, March 14
Ocean City, Maryland: Maryland’s Largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The headliner for the weekend. The Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, hosted by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, has been a tradition since 1980 — and it has grown into the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in Maryland.
The Irish Festival at 45th Street Village Shopping Center opens at 11:00 a.m. with live entertainment, Irish dancers, food, and merchandise. The parade steps off at noon on Coastal Highway at 60th Street and marches south to the 45th Street judging stand. Pipe and drum bands, high school marching bands, Irish dancers, and colorful floats fill the route.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Greg Shockley, owner of Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and a longtime community champion. Shenanigan’s itself is open for the season — making it an obvious first stop before or after the parade. The event is free to attend.
Milford, Delaware: St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl
Downtown Milford gets into the spirit with a St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 14. It’s a free event — no cover, just show up in your best green. Free bus transportation makes stops at Mispillion River Brewing, EasySpeak, and Arena’s, so you can hop between downtown spots without worrying about logistics.
There are drink specials at each stop, and participants can register to win downtown merchant “Pots of Gold” prizes along the route. The crawl kicks off at 7:00 p.m. starting at Arena’s on Northeast Front Street. It’s a great way to explore Milford’s growing downtown scene — and a reminder that this city has a lot going.
Dewey Beach: The Starboard Opening Weekend
If you’ve spent a summer in Coastal Delaware, you know what Starboard Opening Weekend means. Every year, this Dewey Beach institution reopens right around St. Patrick’s Day — and it serves as the unofficial signal that another beach season is underway.
Expect live music, green drinks, and a crowd that is genuinely happy to be back. Check thestarboard.com for the weekend lineup of performers and events.
Lewes & Rehoboth Beach: Irish Eyes Pub & More
Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant — with locations in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach — is a natural home base all weekend. The Rehoboth Beach location hosts live music Saturday night. In Lewes, the waterfront pub atmosphere is hard to beat on a crisp March evening.
Bethany Blues (Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Bethany Beach) is also marking the holiday with specials throughout the weekend — worth checking their socials for updates.
Middletown, Delaware: Crooked Hammock St. Patrick’s Day Brunch
Crooked Hammock Brewery brings back its popular St. Patrick’s Day Brunch on Sunday, March 15 (worth noting the day if you’re planning ahead from Saturday). The brewery’s holiday menu features Irish-inspired brunch fare, live Irish dancers, and the return of their fan-favorite Savagely Delicious creamy triple IPA alongside the new Shamrock Fizz Hard Seltzer. Crooked Hammock has locations in both Middletown and Lewes.
Tuesday, March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
Easton, Maryland: Parade & Potato Races
Easton, Maryland does St. Patrick’s Day on the actual day — and does it with genuine charm. The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on West Dover Street, winding through downtown via Harrison, Goldsborough, Washington, Federal, and North West Streets. Floats, decorated golf carts, bands, and local organizations all take part.
Immediately after the parade, the crowd moves to Washington Street in front of the Talbot County Courthouse for the Potato Races — a beloved Easton tradition sponsored by the Talbot County Young Professionals. All events are free to attend. Streets close at 5:00 p.m., so arrive early and claim your spot along the route.
St. Michaels, Maryland: The Shopping Cart Races
Only the Eastern Shore could produce something this wonderfully strange. The legendary Shopping Cart Races kick off at 11:00 p.m. outside Carpenter Street Saloon in St. Michaels — a Tuesday night tradition that requires no further explanation other than: go.
Throughout the Region: March 17 Specials
On the actual holiday, Irish-friendly spots across the region keep the celebration going:
- Irish Eyes (Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Milton) — Specials all day; one of the most authentically Irish settings on the Delaware coast
- Bethany Blues (Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach) — Holiday specials throughout the day
- Shenanigan’s Irish Pub, Ocean City — Fresh off parade weekend, open and celebrating
- The Starboard, Dewey Beach — Opening week in full swing
Your At-a-Glance Weekend Guide
- Fri, March 13 — Traditional Irish dinner & music, Oxford MD
- Sat, March 14 — Ocean City Parade & Irish Festival (Festival 11 a.m., Parade noon) | Milford St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl (7 p.m.) | Starboard Opening Weekend, Dewey Beach | Live music at Irish Eyes Rehoboth Beach
- Sun, March 15 — Crooked Hammock St. Patrick’s Day Brunch, Middletown & Lewes | Starboard Opening Weekend continues
- Tue, March 17 — Easton MD Parade (5:30 p.m.) + Potato Races | St. Michaels Shopping Cart Races (11 p.m.) | Specials at Irish Eyes, Bethany Blues, Shenanigan’s, and more
