Spring is a week away and the weather seems to be celebrating early. Storms are expected starting Saturday night. Plenty of early St. Patrick's Day events will be happening this weekend — many of them outside while the weather is still nice.
Here's a list of festive celebrations around the state:
Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade
Celebrate the luck of the Irish in downtown Raleigh with the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on South Salisbury Street at Hillsborough Street, next to the State Capitol building. It typically lasts about an hour, according to event organizers.
The route will end on Fayetteville Street at West Lenoir Street.
The event is free. Click here for FAQ.
Charlotte St. Patrick's Day Parade
It's a Charlotte tradition! The city's St. Patrick's Day Parade is happening in uptown Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade will coincide with Charlotte's St. Patrick's Day Festival, which is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include more than 50 vendors.
The parade will march down Tryon Street. Click here for a parade map and here for a festival map.
There is also a pub crawl happening in the area for those who may want to enjoy a Guinness or two.
The Rich and Bennett event is Charlotte's original and largest St. Patrick's Day pub crawl. More than 40 locations in Charlotte's uptown and South End areas will be included in the pub crawl.
The event will start at 419 E. Seventh St. between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., depending on when you arrive.
Find ticket info here.
There is more than one way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, at least in Charlotte! The U.S. National Whitewater Center's resident leprechaun is transforming the river green. There will be a full day of activities, starting with a Color Me Green 5K Trail Run at 9 a.m. and ending with fun flow yoga at 5 p.m.
There will be plenty of entertainment happening in between, including rafting down the green river and listening to music. The river will turn green at 1 p.m.
If you've never been to the Whitewater Center, there are plenty of food and drink options to keep you satisfied.
Entrance is free, but you'll have to pay for parking, which is $12 per vehicle unless you have a parking pass.
Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Day Festival
If you'll be on the coast this weekend, head to Emerald Isle for their St. Patrick's Day festival that's set to last all day Saturday. It's happening at the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center.
Live music will start at 10 a.m. Click here for a lineup. There will also be plenty o' delicious eats!
Otis & Wawa's St. Patrick's Day Festival and Bar Crawl
Head to downtown Greensboro for a St. Patrick's Day celebration Saturday. There will be live music, games, a festival and a pub crawl. The festival kicks off at 12 p.m. and is set to wrap up at 4 p.m.
Wear your best green outfit because the event will be filmed by American Dream for national television, according to event organizers.
Check-in registration will be from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at First National Bank.
The crawl is going on from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include more than 10 restaurants.
Get tickets here.
Be surrounded by all things green for a St. Patrick's Day hike in Danbury, N.C. The hike is happening Monday, so not officially the weekend, but we wanted to include it here. It's happening along the Riverbluffs trail from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hikers will start at the Dan River Access, at 1258 Finchum Road.
The trail is about 1.3 miles. Be sure to wear green! Park officials say the event is appropriate for all ages and skill levels.
Register for the hike by emailing mitchell.mcknney@ncparks.gov.
The hike is free.
