St. Patrick's Day Festivities in Gaston County
- Melissa McCauley
- Feb 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 12
As March ushers in the promise of spring, Gaston County gears up for an explosion of emerald excitement with its vibrant St. Patrick's Day celebrations. From traditional Irish fare parties, the county offers a kaleidoscope of events to suit every taste and preference. Whether you're chasing leprechauns at the Whitewater Center or savoring wine and beer pairings at a local pub, there's no shortage of ways to embrace the luck of the Irish in Gaston County this St. Patrick's Day.
Belmont Bar Crawl
The third annual Belmont St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl returns to downtown Belmont on Saturday, March 14, starting at noon. This festive, self-guided bar crawl invites visitors to explore local favorites like Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, Sammy’s Pub, The String Bean, Marrelli’s Italian Restaurant, Stone Fired Social, The Lodge Tavern and Tap, Primal Brewery, Pita Wheel, and Station while enjoying drink specials, live music, and a lively St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere. The celebration kicks off with a free T-shirt giveaway for the first 100 participants at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen beginning at noon, with music from Baxter’s DJ on the rooftop. Organized by Belmont Beyond and Belmont NC Living, the event encourages visitors to explore downtown Belmont responsibly, with rideshare recommended due to limited parking.
St. Patty's Day Line Up
March 14, 2026 | South Point Social
Kick off the celebration early at South Point Social during the Belmont St. Patrick’s Day festivities on Saturday, March 14. Doors open at 10 a.m. with drink specials, music, and food available throughout the day, creating the perfect spot to pregame before exploring downtown Belmont. A complimentary shuttle will run every 30 minutes from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., making it easy for visitors to travel between South Point Social and participating locations during the Belmont St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl before returning to continue the celebration late into the evening.
St. Patrick’s Day Festivities Belmont
2 Day Saint Patrick’s Day Event
March 14 - 17, 2026 | Primal Brewery
Join the fun at Primal Brewery in Belmont for a three-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Enjoy green beer, delicious pizza, scavenger hunts, raffle prizes, games, and plenty of festive shenanigans. Live music adds to the excitement with performances throughout the weekend, making it the perfect way to celebrate the holiday with friends and family.
St. Patty's Day
March 17, 2026 | Sammy's Pub
Grab your favorite green garb and join the fun! Festivities run from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM with plenty of food, drinks, and holiday cheer for everyone.
St. Patrick's Day Weekend
March 14, 2026 | Jekyll & Hyde
St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Jekyl and Hyde will blends Irish tradition with Jekyll & Hyde flair. Expect great vibes, live entertainment, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.
St. Patty’s Party
March 14, 2026 | Durty Bull Brewery
Get your green on at Durty Bull’s St. Paddy’s Day Party in Gastonia! Shop local vendors, join the costume contest, sip Irish stout, enjoy live music, and play cornhole, hunt for gold, and enter the Get Lucky raffle—fun for everyone from noon to night!
Green River Revival
March 14, 2026 | Whitewater Center
Watch as the Whitewater Center’s resident leprechaun transforms the river green for St. Patrick’s Day. Start the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run before rafting down the river and listening to live music.
Color Me Green 5K
March 14, 2026 | Whitewater Center
Go green with a 5K color run through the trails at the Whitewater Center. Leprechaun sightings are always possible, so keep your eyes peeled. Stick around after the run for Green River Revival.
St. Patrick's Day at Wildwoods
March 14, 2026 | Whitewater Center
Spend part of your Saturday at Wildwoods with St. Patrick’s Day crafts, scavenger hunts, games and more. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Shamrock Shuffle 5k and Leprechaun Leap 2k
March 21, 2026 | Mount Holly
On March 21, 2026, the streets of Mt. Holly are about to be swarmed with the St. Patrick's Day themed attire. Get out your most fun and/or embarrassing, awe inspiring St. Patrick's garments and join us in downtown Mt. Holly. The Mount Holly Middle School and Rankin Elementary Shamrock Shuffle 5k and Leprechaun Leap 2K are produced through a collaboration of the Mount Holly Middle School PTO and Rankin Elementary PTA to raise funds to support the awesome students and staff at Mount Holly Middle School and Rankin Elementary. We would love to have you join us to support our PTO and PTA – feel free to hit the 5k or 2k course in as much green as you can find. Festive costuming or not, we can’t wait to see everyone’s smiling faces as they cross the Finish Line.
Leprechaun Trek
March 14, 2026 | Schiele Museum
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a bit of mischief at the Schiele Museum of Natural History during the Leprechaun Trek! Drop in for a playful scavenger hunt designed by Lucky, the museum’s very own leprechaun, and follow his clever clues through each gallery as you uncover hidden surprises and complete fun challenges along the way. It’s a festive way for families to explore the museum together—wandering through fascinating exhibits on North Carolina wildlife, natural history, space, and science while enjoying a little holiday magic. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime fan, the Leprechaun Trek is the perfect excuse to experience hands-on learning, spark curiosity, and make new memories in the heart of Gastonia.
St. Patrick's Day Bash
March 14, 2026 | Pita Wheel
Celebrate St. Paddy’s Weekend at The Wheel in Gastonia with festive beer and food specials, live music, and a pop-up market featuring local makers and boutiques. Grab a pint, shop unique finds, and soak up the Irish spirit as The Wheel parties all weekend long.
St. Patrick's Day
March 14, 2026 | Gaston Pour House
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Gastonia at Gaston Pour House! Wear your favorite green outfit and enjoy festive drinks, great food, and a lively St. Paddy’s Day atmosphere. Bring your friends and toast to good times all day long!
The Menders St Patty's Party
March 14, 2026 | The Rooster, Gastonia
Join us for The Menders St Patty's Party at The Rooster in Gastonia! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with live music from The Menders, featuring special guests Kudzu Jam and Adoorable Will. Doors open at 6 PM, and the show starts at 8 PM. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. This event is open to all ages, so don’t miss out on the festivities!
Lucky Finds Makers Market
March 14, 2026 | Fryeday Coffee Roasters
Join us on March 14 from 9AM – 3PM for our Lucky Finds Makers Market! Shop a curated collection of one-of-a-kind art, handmade goods, and truly unique finds you won’t see anywhere else. From locally crafted pieces to creative treasures perfect for gifting (or keeping!), this market is all about celebrating talented makers and special discoveries. Grab your favorite Fryeday drink Explore original art & handcrafted goods Support amazing local makers Find your lucky treasure! Tag your market buddy and make plans to spend the day with us!
DINING
St Patrick's Day
March 17, 2026 | Terra Mia, McAdenville
Grab your best green garb and join us for St. Patrick's Day!
St. Patrick's Day
March 17, 2026 | Whiskey Mill, Bessemer City
Grab your best green garb and join us for St. Patrick's Day! 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Gaston County
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Gaston County with a weekend packed full of Irish charm, thrilling events, and festive fun! Whether you're chasing leprechauns, toasting with green beer, or dancing to live music, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the excitement—plan your perfect St. Patrick’s Day adventure and experience the luck of the Irish right here in Gaston County!
