Sacramento weekend guide: St. Patrick’s Day parade, cocktail cruise, or leprechaun hunt

St. Patrick’s Day is next Thursday, so it’s safe to say everyone has an excuse to celebrate the holiday a weekend earlier.

Sacramento has a handful of festive events for people of all ages — from a leprechaun hunt to a bar crawl, as well as things you can do to wind down this weekend.

Friday

Find hidden leprechauns in Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento Waterfront, 1002 2nd St., Sacramento

From March 7 to March 17, you can hunt for the 10 leprechauns hiding throughout the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Families can pick up an activity book at the visitor’s center or download and print it from the website.

Completing the book will give you clues to find the next leprechaun and to solve the final, winning code. If you email the secret code to info@oldsacramento.com, you might win a basket filled with local goods.

Saturday

See the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento Waterfront, 1002 2nd St., Sacramento

The annual St. Patty’s Day parade at the waterfront is back this weekend. The parade starts at 1 p.m.

There will be live music, outdoor beer gardens, food and local vendors.

Do the Sacramento St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl

Flatstick Pub, 630 K St. #120, Sacramento

Barcrawlerz is hosting “Kiss Me, I’m Irish: Sacramento St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl” this Saturday and on St. Patrick’s Day. It’ll feature local spots, such as Flatstick Pub, Honey & the Trapcat and Tropics the Clubhouse.

By registering on Eventbrite, you can get into the bars without a cover and you can enjoy drink specials.

Go on a St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail Cruise

L Street Dock, 1206 Front St., Sacramento

City Cruise presents, St. Patrick’s Day Sights and Sips Cruise, an event for people of all ages this Saturday and on March 19. Guests can enjoy cruising on the Sacramento River for an hour and a half with views of the city’s skyline, themed cocktails, live DJ and small bites.

Wear green or cocktail attire. Kids under 3 years old can enter free, tickets for children 4 to 12 years old are $22.50 and general admission is $30. You can get your tickets here.

Sunday

Celebrate trees at the Arbor Week Festival

Urban Wood Rescue, 6045 Midway St., Sacramento

The Irish green isn’t the only green thing you can celebrate this weekend. California Arbor Week, March 7 to March 14, is a statewide holiday to appreciate trees.

Attendees can enjoy and purchase Chando’s tacos, local crafts and native plants from Miridae nursery. You can also learn about Sacramento’s urban forest.

The event is free and full vaccination is encouraged. More information about the festival is on Eventbrite.

Introduce your kids to art at the Crocker Art Museum

Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., Sacramento

The Crocker Art Museum is providing educational and fun tours to introduce art to kids 5 and older.

Visitors over the age of two must wear face coverings. Space is limited, as the museum reduced capacity to ensure social distancing.

You can buy your tickets here.