St. Patrick’s Day is a day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage, and there are plenty of ways to mark the occasion here in Morehead City, NC! From exciting festivals to exploring Morehead City’s own Irish heritage—there are a variety of activities to help you get into the Irish spirit. Let’s dive in and learn more about how you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year!
- St. Patrick’s Day Festival Although Morehead City, NC is the largest town in the Crystal Coast area, it doesn’t always host an official celebration. Luckily the neighboring town of Emerald Isle does! Named after Ireland’s nickname, likely due to the amount of Scots-Irish settlers in the area, Emerald Isle proudly hosts a St. Patrick’s Day festival every year around the 17th. On March 11th, experience live traditional Celtic music, kiddie rides, nearly 100 arts and crafts vendors, and an Irish beer tent. At just under 25 minutes away, the festivities are well worth the short drive.
- Live Music If crowds aren’t your thing, bars and restaurants in Morehead City, NC often feature live music on St. Patrick’s Day. The charm of this coastal town is that many live music events won’t be advertised, so you’ll have to make the discoveries yourself! Park near the historic downtown area and stroll the waterfront streets to spot which restaurants, pubs, or street corners are breaking out their fiddles. If you’re looking for good food near me with live music, one of your best bets is Jack’s On The Waterfront. This open-air bar and music venue is located right on Evans Street in the heart of downtown, so you can’t miss it.
- Irish Food and Drinks Some local bars and restaurants may offer ****special St. Patrick’s Day menus featuring traditional Irish dishes and drinks. Like with live music, you may have to explore the paths less traveled to discover which eateries are having a shamrock shindig. If your pick carries it, try corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, or bread pudding. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a pint of Guinness and fresh seafood at one of the best restaurants in Morehead City-Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant!
- Visit Local Historic Attractions North Carolina is no stranger to Irish culture. In fact, ****North Carolina is home to the highest population of Scots-Irish in the U.S. With this state having ties to Irish ancestry, it should be no surprise to hear that Scots-Irish individuals partly founded Morehead City. This Celtic history can be found in museums like The North Carolina Maritime Museum and The History Museum of Carteret County. Try connecting with your roots by taking a stroll by the docks, visiting a local bookstore to read up on Irish history, or taking a walking tour. With so much maritime and colonial history, you’re bound to run into some stories of the Irish (or Scots-Irish) settlers who helped make Morehead City, NC what it is today.
Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant | Morehead City, NC
While Morehead City, NC might not be boisterous as Boston this time of year, there are still plenty of fun things to do in the area on St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re looking for a night out on the town with friends or an afternoon full of family-friendly activities, there are options for you. In Morehead City and hungry? Come see us! While recently featured on national television in Guy Fierri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, we’ve been famous for our seafood and hushpuppies for decades. If you’re looking for good food, great prices, and a taste of coastal Carolina living, we’re the place for you. To learn more about why we’re one of the best restaurants in Morehead City, NC, visit our website today.
