🌴 St. Patrick's Day in Charleston

Hey Palmetto Parents,

Did you survive loosing an hour of sleep? For us it actually helped! Instead of our kids waking up on the earlier side, they ‘sleep in’ until about 7:30. I consider that a W!

Our first idea for your family this week is to take a look at a free artistic installation at the Gaillard Center. It is two faces projected into trees. Sounds simple, but it was a deep experience. It is a must see.

Then we go over the two free events celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. One block party this Saturday and one parade happening on the 17 downtown. Both events will be perfect for the whole family!

For this week we are doing our first, ‘restaurant list’ going over our favorite kid friendly eats that have a dedicated space for your kiddos.

Lastly, if going out to these crowded spaces for St. Patricks day is not your thing, we’ve got you covered. We have 5 at home activities to make March 17 special!

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When my husband and I first heard about the Monuments installation, we honestly had no idea what to expect. A bunch of trees lit up? How would that even make sense? I’m so glad we took the time to stop by and see it for ourselves because it ended up being both fascinating and surprisingly meaningful.

Each night from 7 to 10pm, now through March 31, families can experience Monuments, an outdoor projection installation by Craig Walsh located outside the Charleston Gaillard Center. At first glance, the trees simply appear softly illuminated. But if you step back five or even ten steps, something incredible happens. A perfectly formed human face suddenly appears within the branches. Eyes blink, a mouth sometimes smiles, and the nose, lips, and even eyebrows line up so naturally with the branches and open spaces of the tree that it feels almost magical. It’s the kind of installation you could easily walk past without noticing, but if you slow down and take a moment to look, the transformation is unforgettable.

I also learned that Monuments is meant to challenge traditional ideas about public monuments and the histories they represent. The installation sits near the Anson Street African Burial Ground Memorial, which honors 36 ancestors whose remains were uncovered during the Gaillard Center’s 2013 renovation. Visiting gave us a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate both the beauty of the art and the deeper history connected to this space. I’m by no means an expert on Charleston’s history, but this experience encouraged me to slow down and learn more.

We did an adults only visit, but it would be a great post dinner pit stop with the family. Whether you spend fifteen minutes walking through or linger longer to read and reflect, it’s well worth the stop. Just make sure to visit before the final night on Tuesday, March 31!

Even if you don’t live in Park Circle, this is a worthy event to travel in for. The Park Circle St. Patrick's Day Block Party & Parade returns Saturday, March 14 from 12 to 5pm, bringing one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Lowcountry to the heart of Park Circle. The free community event features a lively parade, live music, street vendors, food from local East Montague restaurants, and a Kid’s Zone for families. The parade begins at noon on Park Place East and travels down East Montague Avenue through the center of the block party before ending at Virginia Avenue.

Music and entertainment will pop up throughout the afternoon, including performances near Madra Rua Irish Pub, EVO Pizzeria, and Commonhouse Aleworks, along with a live DJ at DIG in the Park and appearances by the Charleston Pipe Band marching in the parade and performing throughout the day. East Montague Avenue will close between Virginia Avenue and Jenkins Avenue starting at 9am. With music, food, and plenty of festive green spirit, it’s the perfect way to spend a lively Saturday afternoon with the family. ☘️

If you’ve ever thought about busting your kids out of school for the day, Tuesday, March 17 might be the perfect opportunity! The annual Charleston St. Patrick's Day Parade brings a festive burst of Irish pride to downtown Charleston and is a fun way for families to celebrate together.

The day’s festivities begin with an 8am Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, followed by the parade kicking off at 10am through downtown. After the parade wraps up, the celebration continues with the traditional 11:30am raising of the Irish flag over Charleston City Hall. Throughout the day you can also catch Irish dancers and bagpipers performing at several well-known local spots including The Brick, Blind Tiger Pub, Tommy Condon's Irish Pub, Holy City Brewing, and Dunleavy's Irish Pub.

Whether you come downtown for the parade, the music, or just an excuse to wear a little green, the St. Patrick’s Day festivities are a lively Charleston tradition that the whole family can enjoy.

Finding a place to eat with kids can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially when little ones have more energy than patience. Thankfully, Charleston has a few great spots where parents can enjoy a meal while kids have a little space to move around. Here are three of our favorite places in the Charleston area where you can grab a bite and let the kids stretch their legs.

3. Taco Boy (Downtown Charleston)
The number three spot goes to Taco Boy in downtown Charleston because of its enclosed open-air seating area. While it’s not a huge space, it’s just big enough for kids to tot around between bites while parents enjoy their meal. The menu is also very family friendly with delicious tacos and bowls for adults, easy options for kids, and plenty of chips to keep little hands busy.

2. 1503 King Street: Rancho Lewis, Edmund's Oast Brewing Co., and Sushi-Wa Izakaya
These three restaurants are incredible on their own, but together they create a one stop family dinner solution. You can mix and match meals from any of the spots depending on what everyone is craving. In the middle of the restaurants is a large open courtyard with plenty of seating where kids can mingle, kick a soccer ball, or wander around while parents relax nearby. If you’ve ever watched a toddler suddenly take off exploring and wondered how far they’ll go before you have to sprint after them… well, this is the perfect place. IYKYK.

1. 219 Simmons Street: Vintage Coffee Cafe, Coastal Crust, and Giannone's Eatery
Our number one pick goes to this Mount Pleasant trio that makes dining out with kids surprisingly relaxing. Much like the King Street location, these three restaurants share a space with communal tables in the center so families can gather while ordering from different menus. But what really makes this spot stand out is the old school wooden playground complete with a jungle gym and four slides. Kids can play while parents sip coffee, enjoy pizza, or grab a full meal, making it one of the easiest and most enjoyable family dining spots around.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick taco, mixing and matching takeout, or settling in while the kids conquer the playground slides, these Charleston spots make eating out with little ones a whole lot easier and a lot more fun. 🍕🌮☕

You don’t need a big party or parade to make St. Patrick's Day feel magical for kids. Once I had my first kiddo, we weren’t doing much of anything until only a few years ago. But, with a little creativity, a few simple activities at home can turn the day into a fun family celebration.

Leprechaun Treasure Hunt
Hide chocolate coins or small green treats around the house and tell the kids a mischievous leprechaun left them behind. Leave a few silly clues or tiny “footprints” made with washable paint or marker to make it feel magical. 🍀

Green Food Day
Let the kids help make festive green snacks. Think green pancakes, green smoothies, or popcorn with a little green food coloring and sprinkles. You could even let kids create their own “rainbow snack plate” with fruit.

Build a Leprechaun Trap
Challenge the kids to build a trap to catch a leprechaun using things around the house like boxes, paper towel rolls, Legos, or craft supplies. The next morning, the leprechaun can escape but leave behind a small treat or a note thanking them for the fun. 🌈

St. Patrick’s Day Craft Time
Set up a quick craft station with paper, markers, glue, and scissors. Kids can make shamrocks, rainbows, or decorate “pots of gold.” Hang the artwork around the house for instant holiday decorations.

Irish Dance Party
Put on some upbeat Irish music and have a mini dance party in the living room. Kids love trying to stomp and spin like Irish dancers, and it is a great way to burn some energy.

Sometimes the most memorable holiday moments are the simple ones at home, where a little imagination and a bit of green can make the whole day feel lucky. 🍀

Join us next week as we get ready for Easter! What is your favorite Easter thing to do in Charleston? Leave a comment in the feedback section below!

Love,

Jenna