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What's New in The Lou: March 12th

With a new time change and nearly a new season, St. Louis is ready to break out of the winter blues for good. Events around the city are ramping up in a big way! With spring break right around the corner for many, families maybe be looking for extra activities to enjoy. Between St. Patrick's Day celebrations and 314 Day, no one will be sitting around bored. This week in the Lou...

  • 🔍 Local Spotlight: Stone Turtle

  • 🍀 St. Patrick’s Day

  • đź‘€ What’s Happenin’ in St. Louis this week

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Stone Turtle

Located in the heart of the historic Dogtown neighborhood in St. Louis, Stone Turtle is a beloved gastropub. It uniquely combines a whiskey-forward bar with a relaxed dining room, offering a menu of comfort food that includes house favorites like Turtle Mac & Cheese and grilled pork chops. Being owner-operated by the chef, the restaurant maintains high standards and love in every dish, making it a neighborhood staple for brunch, dinner, and late-night drinks.

Stone Turtle is offering VIP tickets for St. Patrick’s Day including: Early entrance at 9 am, 4 drink tickets, 1 food ticket, Free St. Pat’s Swag, and a re-entry wristband.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day 2026

The Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival remains one of St. Louis' most beloved traditions, turning the historic Irish neighborhood into a sea of green. The Dogtown festivities always take place on the actual St. Patrick’s Dat, regardless of the day of the week.

Event Schedule: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

  • 9:00 am- Irish Festival Begins: Vendors throughout the neighborhood begin serving food and drinks, and the various festival zones open for business.

  • 11:00 am- Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Parade: The main event kicks off at the intersection of Tamm and Oakland, traveling south down Tamm Avenue to Manchester. You can expect nearly 100 units, including Irish dance troupes, pipe bands, and dozens of local Irish clans marching under their family banners.

  • 1:00 pm-6:00 pm- Live Music & Festivities: After the parade, the neighborhood stays lively with live bands and DJs across three dedicated zones.

  • 8:00 pm- Closing Time: Most local establishments and street sales wrap up by 8:00 pm to allow the neighborhood to reset.

Festival Zones

To manage the massive crowds, the event is organized into three distinct areas:

  1. Bud Light Party Zone (Clayton & Tamm): The heart of the adult celebration, featuring the Red Bull main stage with a DJ and the Funky Butt Brass Band.

  2. Dogtown Pizza Family Zone (Oakland, east of Tamm): A more relaxed area with Irish music on the Andrew Broombaugh State Farm Stage, family-friendly games, and activities.

  3. Irish Culture Zone (St. James the Greater Campus): Located at Wade and Tamm, this zone focuses on traditional Irish food, music from The Irish Aires, and tours of the historic church.

Pro-Tips for Attendees

  • Arrive Early: Street closures begin as early as 6:00 am. Parking is notoriously difficult in the neighborhood, so many locals recommend using rideshare services or parking several blocks away and walking in. Refer to the map here for street closures.

  • Respect the Neighborhood: Dogtown is a residential area. Festival organizers emphasize "Leave No Trace" and ask visitors to use the provided portable restrooms and trash bins.

  • St. James the Greater: This parish is the anchor of the neighborhood. They offer a corned beef and cabbage dinner and the "first pouring of the Guinness" on the eve of the parade (Monday, March 16).

What’s Happenin’ in St. Louis 👀

Friday, March 13th

  • Animals Aglow (St. Louis Zoo)- This immersive nighttime lantern festival features over 60 massive, illuminated displays of wildlife and traditional Chinese elements. Running from March 13 through May 17, the event also includes interactive light games, cultural performances, and seasonal snacks throughout the Zoo grounds. Times and dates vary.

  • Grant’s Farm Opening Day (Grant’s Farm)- The historic Busch family estate kicks off its 2026 season with the return of tram rides through Deer Park and the chance to visit the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The opening weekend also features the "Animal All-Stars" lunch and meet-and-greet sessions (available by reservation). 9 am.

  • "Attack on Titan" Beyond the Walls World Tour (The Fabulous Fox Theater)- This concert experience brings the music of the hit anime series to life with a full orchestra and stunning visuals. It is a must-see for fans looking to experience the epic soundtrack in a grand setting. 7:30 pm.

  • St. Louis Blues vs. Edmonton Oilers (Enterprise Center)- The Blues host the Oilers in a high-stakes NHL matchup. Puck drops at 7 pm.

  • The Enigmatist (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Emerson Studio)- Master illusionist and puzzle creator David Kwong presents an immersive experience that blends magic with complex riddles. This interactive performance challenges the audience's wits in a theatrical setting. Shows run through Thursday march 19. 7 pm.

Saturday, March 14th

  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Downtown)- This massive 57th annual celebration marches down Market Street from 8th to 22nd Street, featuring over 120 units including marching bands, floats, and giant balloons. 12 pm.

  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade Run (Downtown)- This 48th annual 5K run is one of the region's largest road races, drawing over 5,000 participants to the streets of downtown and midtown. The run takes place before the main parade begins, with proceeds benefiting several local charities. 9 am.

  • Shamrocks & Shenanigans (Ballpark Village)- This St. Patrick's Day celebration features live music, Irish-themed festivities, and food specials. It serves as a central hub for those looking for a lively time downtown. 1 pm.

  • St. Pat’s in the Park (Tower Grove Park)- Located at the Music Stand in Tower Grove Park, this festive afternoon features Irish-inspired cocktails from STL Barkeep, local food from Chef Nate Hereford, live music, and a curated vendor market. 11 am.

  • St. Patrick’s Day Kegs and Eggs (Ballpark Village)- This party offers a brunch buffet and all-inclusive drink packages at FanDuel Sports Network Live! before the downtown parade begins. 9:30 am.

  • 314 Day Shop Local Expo (Delmar DivINe)- Held at the Delmar DiviNe (5501 Delmar Blvd), this expo celebrates St. Louis pride by showcasing over 50 local small businesses and artists in a vibrant marketplace setting. 1 pm.

  • 314 Day 20th Anniversary Celebration (The Pageant)- A massive homecoming concert celebrating St. Louis culture and the city's unofficial holiday. The event features prominent hip-hop artists and focuses on local pride and community heritage. 7 pm.

  • Peppa Pig: My First Concert (Stifel Theater)- A family-friendly interactive musical experience designed for young children. The show features popular songs from the series and encourages the audience to sing and dance along. 2 pm.

Sunday, March 14th

  • Vintage Market Days of St. Louis (St. Charles Convention Center)- An upscale, vintage-inspired market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, and home dĂ©cor. It offers a curated shopping experience with over 150 vendors and local food trucks. Event runs Friday through Sunday. Sunday’s hours are 10 am- 3 pm.

  • Scheherazade: Magic and Myth (Powell Hall)- The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of storytelling with Rimsky-Korsakov’s evocative Scheherazade. The program also features world-renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz. Shows Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s show is at 3 pm.

  • Samantha Bee (City Winery)- The former Daily Show correspondent and host of Full Frontal brings her sharp-witted comedy tour to City Foundry for an evening of satire and political commentary. Shows at 3 pm and 7 pm.

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ST. LOUIS NEWS + UPDATES đź“° 

SLPS School Transition: St. Louis Public Schools is currently considering the closure or relocation of the Nahed Chapman New American Academy, an elementary school specifically serving new immigrants.

WEATHER FORECAST đźŚˇď¸Ź 

Friday
63° 🌤️ | 0% rain | 🌬 16 mph

Saturday
62° 🌤️ | 1% rain | 🌬 12 mph

Sunday
65° 🌧️ |91% rain | 🌬 19 mph