Your big days to go out and get Blarney-stoned for St. Patrick’s Day are Saturday at the parade and big downtown celebrations, and real St. Patrick’s Day Monday for the legendary Front Street bar block parties.

Saint Patrick’s Day is on a Monday this year, but that just means we’ll get lucky with weekend parties and Monday parties too. The big downtown San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade ‘snakes’ its way down Market Street Saturday, with a few epic downtown parties during and afterward. Then on proper St. Patrick’s Day Monday, Front Street will be shut down for the pot of gold of all SF bar block parties, out front of Harrington’s, Schroeder’s, the Royal Exchange, Irish Times, and Patriot House.

Also realize that Brides of March is happening Saturday in North Beach (2:30 - 8 pm). So that might make for some interesting confluences.

Image: Xu z via Yelp

Your 174th Annual SF St. Patrick's Day Parade is Saturday, March 15 from 10 am - 5 pm. It starts at Market at Second streets, and then shillelaghs its way down Market Street to Civic Center. But be aware there is no Civic Center afterparty with live performers this year.

Image: Eventbrite

Yet parties galore will be happening across downtown. The St. Patrick's Parade Day Extravaganza at the old Hibernia Bank building returns, and this year almost serves as the parade’s city-sanctioned, unofficial parade bar. Admission is free, and offerings include a “dedicated Guinness Station,” Irish whiskey tastings, and an Irish Coffee stand. Though it’s family-friendly, all ages, and some Irish bites will be served.

Hell yes the Irish Bank is doing their annual St. Patrick's Day Parade block party out front of 10 Mark Lane (perhaps better described as Sutter and Stockton streets). That party will happen both Saturday and Monday from 1:30-11:30 pm, with live traditional Irish music and Celtic rock.

Also Monday, celebrate the real St. Patrick’s Day at St. Pat's on Front St., the latest boozy “entertainment zone” street party where you can buy to-go booze and party on the street with your hosts Harrington’s, Schroeder’s, the Royal Exchange, Irish Times, and Patriot House. This 2-10 pm party also features live music with plenty of punk rock, fiddle, and bagpipes.

Or maybe just visit your favorite neighborhood Irish bar Monday! It’ll probably be awesome!

But with all of our relentless talk about intoxication, you should not ever be driving under this wonderful St. Patrick’s Day intoxication. Take Muni or a rideshare, as SFPD will be out this weekend with their annual DUI checkpoints.

Related: 10 Best Places To Watch The St. Patrick's Day Parade [SFist]

Image: Chris W via Yelp