St. Patrick’s Day is just a time to wear green and drink beer to most of us, but the religious Irish holiday itself is rich in history and honors the death of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Whatever you’re celebrating, you should be in attendance at one of the many shamrockin’ shindigs happening around town.

March 13

• 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival — Huge. The parade features greenly decorated floats, dance troupes, bands, clowns and more, while the Charlotte Goes Green Festival, which consists of Irish music from a number of music acts (Grandfather Mountain Pipe Band, Federal Clan Kings, Jimmy Brown & The Balladeers), as well as Irish dancers (Rince Na’ Eireann Dance School, Walsh-Kelley School of Irish Dance), vendors, food and beverages, and other activities. It’s a fun way to spend the day. Free. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at Tryon and 9th street and continue south to Tryon Street and 3rd Street. The Festival, from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., is located on South Tryon Street, between 1st Street and 3rd Street. For more information, visit www.charlottestpatsday.com.

• Rich & Bennett’s 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl — This ultimate pub crawl was featured on the Travel Channel’s Extreme Wild Parties and stops into seven bars within a seven hour time period. Folks attending get a T-shirt and koozie, free admission to all bars and the chance to win giveaways. We can’t forget to mention the drink specials, including $3 Bud Light aluminums, $4 vodka drinks and $5 Pub Crawl Shots. $20-$30. 1 p.m. Begins with registration at Dixie’s Tavern, 301 E. 7th St. For more information, visit www.rockhouseevents.com.

• ”The Curse of the Brawling Irish” St. Patrick’s Party at The Ultimate Gym — Known for doin’ it big with themed parties (like focusing on the ‘70s, ‘80s, White Trash, etc.) around town, Nasty Promotions presents its ”The Curse of the Brawling Irish” St. Patrick’s Party ... in a full-sized boxing ring. Iron Cordoba will be there performing its own Irish tunes, twisted parodies and rock spankin’ takes on covers, in addition to music by Snowfight and DJ Mick’s Masta. Add to that a cash bar, live fights and demos by Ultimate Gym fighters and instructors, and more, and you’ve got an original, fun, freaky shindig. The event also raises money for the N.C. Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund, so it’s for a good cause, too. $10. 9 p.m. The Ultimate Gym, 401 E. 35th St.

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Connolly's — Irish pub Connolly’s has the true atmosphere of a nightspot across the pond in that wee country called Ireland. Add to the celebration, traditional Irish food (corned beef and cabbage), Irish dancers and bagpipers, and live music by Vertigo, a U2 cover band, and you’ve got a good party. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. (Vertigo starts at 9 p.m.). 115 E. 5th St. 704-358-9070. www.connollysirishpub.com.

• Beertopia Beer Fest — Sham-rockin’ festivities are in order for St. Patrick’s Day. Grapevine’s Beertopia Beer Fest will offer 100 beers, barbecue and live music by U-Phonik. $20-$25. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Grapevine Wine Shop & Wine Bar, 1012 Market St., Fort Mill, S.C. 803-802-9989. www.partylikealeprechaun.info.

• 2nd Annual EpiCentre Green Party — Featuring music from Breakfast Club on the Bud Light Stage and music from DJ Supa Skip. Sat., March 13, 5-7 p.m. EpiCentre, 210 East Trade St.

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Morehead Street Tavern — Live Irish traditional music by the Federal Clan Kings gets the party started and it will continue late into the night with the Lenny Federal band and the Part Time Blues Band. 6:30 p.m. Morehead Street. Tavern, 300 E. Morehead St. 704-334-2655. www.moreheadsttavern.com.

• St. "Practice" Day at Town Tavern — Doors open at 7 a.m. Bagels, beer and booze all day long. Enter Irish raffle to win prizes. Boondocks Saints marathon running all day. Town Tavern, 200 N. Tryon St. 704-334-3324. www.towntaverncharlotte.com.

• St. Patrick's Party at Providence Road Sundries — Guiness girls with gifts. No cover. 18 and over after 9 p.m. $5 Car Bombs, $3 Harp Beer. 8:10 p.m. Providence Road Sundries, 1522 Providence Road. 704-366-4467. www.providenceroadsundries.com.

• St. Patrick's Day celebrations at RiRa — Breakfast until 11 a.m. St. Patty's Day menu, music by Acme Celi, Dallas Reece, Beautiful Day. Irish Dancers. Doors open at 9 a.m. 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554.

• St. Patrick's Day party at The Gin Mill — Doors open at noon. Live music with Patrick McKenna. $3 Irish Pints, $5 Baby Guinesses. The Gin Mill, 1411 S. Tryon St. 704-373-0782. www.ginmillcharlotte.com.

March 14

• Buff Faye's St. Patty's Sunday Drag Brunch at Hartigan's Irish Pub — Featuring Buff's Drag Divas -- Donna Rhea, Kiana Layne and Sierra Santana. Special guest star Miss Gay North Carolina America -- Detra Panucci! For more info, visit www.eatmorebuff.com. 12 p.m. Hartigan's Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.

March 16

• Tune-Up Tuesdays – St. Patrick’s Day at Whisky River — VH1's Tool Academy "Matsuflex" Guest Bartending. $2 shamrock shots. $2 Miller Lite bottles. $4 Guiness. $5 vodka energy drinks. 5 p.m. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. www.whiskyrivercharlotte.com

March 17

• St. Paddy’s On Main Music Festival —The festival features five bands, a bagpipe parade, food and beer vendors, a costume contest, a corn hole tournament, Irish storytelling and a play area for children. Free. 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.mchalesirishpub.com. 122 E. Main St., Rock Hill, SC

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Connolly's — Irish pub Connolly’s has the true atmosphere of a nightspot across the pond in that wee country called Ireland. Add to the celebration, traditional Irish food (corned beef and cabbage), Irish dancers and bagpipers, and live music by Vertigo, a U2 cover band, and you’ve got a good party. 9 a.m.-2 a.m. (Vertigo starts at 9 p.m.). 115 E. 5th St. 704-358-9070. www.connollysirishpub.com.

• Jimmy Brown and the Belfast Balladeers at PJ O'Reilly's — a talented Charlotte musician who hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland — will perform at PJ O’Reillys with his Belfast Balladeers. Frequently performing his originals and tradition Irish tunes around town, Brown’s shows ensure good times. In addition, the party will also feature Irish dancers, Irish pipe players, drink specials, Irish food and giveaways. 5 p.m. PJ O’Reillys, 16640 Hawfield Way Dr. 704-341-2247. www.pjoreillys.com.

• St. Patrick’s Day Party at Hartigan’s —Live Irish music by R.G. Absher and the Celtic Connection from 6-8:30, followed by a live DJ. Guiness is only $3.50 all day, and there will be green beer for the masses. In addition, they’ll be serving traditional Irish food all day. 5 p.m. Hartigan’s Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.

• 2nd Annual Luck O' The Irish at BlackFinn — Drink and beer specials, passed appetizers, tons of beads, giveaways. 4 p.m. BlackFinn American Saloon, 210 E. Trade St. www.blackfinn.com.

• Pure Green at Halo — St. Paddy's Day Party. $2 domestics, $3 shots, $4 premium specials, $6 redbull vodka. Halo, 820 Hamilton St. 980-229-2974. www.haloclt.com.

• Shamrocks and Shenanigans at Whisky River —$3 Lucky Leprechaun Shots, $4 Guiness. Whisky River, 210 E. Trade St. www.whiskyrivercharlotte.com

• St. Patrick's Day at The Men's Club — $3 green beer specials. Chef Frank's Traditional St. Patrick's Day food specials.  11 a.m. The Men's Club, 444 Tyvola Road. 704-525-8525.

• St. Patrick's Day Celebration at The Sunset Club — Wear green for St. Patrick's Day shots. Free admission, beer specials, liquor specials, party favors, cigar specials, hookah specials. 5 p.m. The Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. 704-373-9900. www.thesunsetclub.com.

• St. Patrick's Day Celebration at RiRa — Breakfast at 8 a.m. Limited St. Patty' Day menu all day. Music by Acme Celi, Roy Daye and U-Phoniks. Irish Dancers will perform through out the day. 208 N. Tryon St. 704-333-5554.

• St. PatROXX Day at On The Roxx — Drink specials, free food, and "greenest person" wins a prize. On The Roxx Southend, 1520 South Blvd., 704-919-0282. www.roxxsouthend.com.

• St. Patrick's Day party at The Gin Mill — Doors open at noon. Live Irish music with The Merrow's. Expect cornbeef and cabbage, as well as $3 Irish Pinks and $5 Baby Guinesses. The Gin Mill, 1411 S. Tryon St. 704-373-0782. www.ginmillcharlotte.com.

• St. Paddy's Day Bash at Howl At The Moon — The party starts at 5 p.m. $2 16 oz. Green Beers, 2 for 1 Irish Car Bombs, $8 24 oz Irish Ice Tea Bones. Howl at the Moon, 210 E. Trade St. 704-936-4695.

• St. Patty's Try Your Luck For A Buck at Bar Charlotte – Hosted by JJ The Leprechaun. Take part in the World Famous Golfd

(Compiled by Anita Overcash and Kim Lawson)