THINGS TO DO

10 things to do the week of St. Patrick's Day

The greening of the canal, Kegs and Eggs and more fun you don't want to miss on St. Paddy's Day

Leslie Bailey

IndyStar

If there's one holiday that Indy loves to live up, it's the day we honor the patron saint of Ireland by celebrating all things Irish. Or did you think St. Patrick's Day was just an excuse to drink beer while wearing over-sized green sunglasses in the middle of the day?

Whatever your reason for celebrating, there are plenty of opportunities to do so all week, from beer runs and the Blarney Bash to pub crawls and patio parties. Here are 10 ways to celebrate St. Paddy's Day in Indianapolis.

And remember, as always, please drink responsibly.

Bartender Erika Silvers of Indianapolis topped off a Guiness on tap with her signature shamrock pattern inside the Claddagh Irish Pub on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in downtown Indianapolis the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Pre-Paddy's Day Party

March 11-17, 234 S. Meridian St., (317) 822-6274, www.claddaghirishpubs.com.

For the most seasoned St. Patrick's Day partiers, The Claddaugh Irish Pub in Downtown Indy will host a weeklong Pre-Paddy's Day party with live music from March 11 through March 17. The St. Patrick's Day event begins at 11 a.m. and features live music until closing.

6 pubs for a perfect pint of Guinness

Shamrock 5k Beer Run

2 p.m. March 12, corner of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue, $30-$40, shamrockbeerrun.com/indianapolis.

You should never drink and drive. But drinking and running? That's an entirely different story. The Shamrock 5K beer run offers several stops throughout the course where runners can quench their thirst with 3-ounce beer samplings. Participants will receive a souvenir beer glass, T-shirt and an event medal upon completion.

Blarney Bash

2 to 10 p.m. March 12, east block of Georgia Street, Downtown, $5, www.downtownindy.org.

Georgia Street will be buzzing Saturday for Downtown Indy's Blarney Bash. The event will feature live music by My Yellow Rickshaw and Living Proof, food from Georgia Street area restaurants and food trucks as well as beer and spirits. Leave the kids at home; this event is 21 and older.

Beyond Uber: Get home safely after drinking

Hundreds of people turned out in the warm temperatures to watch the dignitaries pour dye into the Indianapolis Canal basin in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, March 16, 2015 at the 19th annual Greening of the Canal ceremony celebrating St. Patrick's Day, which is Tuesday. The event was presented by the Hoosier Lottery.

Greening of the Canal and St. Patrick's Day Parade, block party

5 to 6 p.m. March 16 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17, Downtown, free, indystpats.com.

The tradition of the greening of the canal at Ohio & West streets continues Wednesday with live music by Eunan McIntyre. On Thursday, there will be a block party on Vermont Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with more live music, free coffee and doughnuts. The St. Patrick's Day parade begins at 11:30 a.m.

St. Pat's Weekend Bash

March 17-19, 13193 Levinson Lane, Noblesville, $10 each day, $20 for three day pass, (317) 770-9020, www.mosirishpub.com/indy.

From 8 to 11 a.m. on March 17, early risers can head to Mo's Irish Pub in Noblesville for "Kegs and Eggs" as part of a three-day festival featuring live music every day until 3 a.m.

Indy with Kids: 6 ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

19th annual Indianapolis Downtown Irish Fest

Noon to midnight March 17, 401 E. Michigan St., free admission, (317) 636-0396, www.rathskeller.com.

If you've seen how the Rathskeller does Oktoberfest, you can guess what kind of party they throw on St. Patrick's Day. The party begins at noon with live music, Irish food, Irish dancers and for those watching their pot o' gold, no cover charge.

St. Paddy’s Day Throwdown

Noon to 9 p.m. March 17, 414 N. Dorman St., free admission, (317) 635-2337, flat12.me/indianapolis.

Flat12 Bierworks is hosting a St. Paddy’s Day throwdown with live music, Irish fare from Hoagie’s & Hops and a special Irish stout beer release. There will be patio games from noon to 9 p.m., with an open jam session by the Irish Arts Academy from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Irish shamrock has a long history. It has been symbolic of different things through the ages, and had many different meanings attached. On St. Patrick's Day, many can be seen wearing a shamrock charm to show support for Ireland and celebrate Irish pride, even if they are not Irish. Jon Lawrence of Indianapolis wears a festive shamrock shirt outside the Elbow Room during the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Indianapolis on March 17, 2011.

St. Patty’s Day March Madness Pub Crawl

4 p.m. to midnight March 17, 201 S. Capitol Ave., $10, www.stpattysdayindy.com.

This pub crawl begins with registration at The Pavilion at Pan Am, where participants will receive admission to all nine participating bars and access to drink specials. The after-party, back at The Pavilion, will include a large viewing screen to watch NCAA tournament games and live music by Dave and Whitney.

Danny Boy Beer Works

6:30 p.m. March 17, 12702 Meeting House Road, Carmel, $10 registration, (317) 564-0622, www.dannyboybeerworks.com.

If a beer-fueled 5K is a little more than you can handle, consider the Danny Boy Beer Works St. Pat's Dash, a one-mile fun run in Carmel’s Village of WestClay. The event takes place on St. Patrick's Day at 6:30 p.m., with live music, beer, a bagpiper and live music following the run.

Sweet Patrick's Day Party

8 p.m. March 17, 1116 Prospect St., $15, www.whiterabbitcabaret.com.

Need a break from Irish jigs? The California Honey Drops will make their Indianapolis debut at the White Rabbit Cabaret with the Pork and Beans Brass Band. The group cites musical influences from Bay Area R&B, funk and Southern soul to Delta blues and New Orleans second line.

Call IndyStar reporter Leslie Bailey at (317) 444-6094 and follow her on Twitter @Lesalina, Facebook.com/Lesalina and Instagram @Lesalina.