That pot at the end of the rainbow? You don’t have to travel over the Cape Cod Canal to find it, at least on St. Patrick’s Day. That’s because the luck of the Irish can be found here, thanks to an array of festive celebrations.

The Cape is known for many things and towards the top of that list is its ability to throw a memorable St. Paddy’s Day party. So put on your holiday best and prepare to (sham)rock the day away at one of these spots:

Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Yarmouth, MA)
Don your green on Saturday, March 8th as Cape Cod's highly anticipated 20th Annual Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Parade takes center stage. Kicking off at 11 am near Skull Island Adventure Golf on Route 28 in South Yarmouth, the lively procession features dozens of marching bands, bagpipe units, floats, Irish Step Dancers, Clydesdales, antique cars and family friendly entertainment. The annual parade, the Cape's largest celebration of the green, has been named one of Yankee Magazine's best St. Patrick's Day events in New England.

The Emerald Resort - Cape Cod Irish Village (Hyannis)
Their tagline is “A little bit of Ireland on Cape Cod,” which rings especially true each year around St. Patrick's Day. The Cape Cod Irish Village starts the festivities a week early (March 7-9) with their Cape Cod Irish Festival, which coincides with the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade. Enjoy live entertainment all weekend, from music acts and Irish step dancers to comedians and deejays. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door, or make a weekend of it and book their two-night getaway package that includes festival admission. 

Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub (Falmouth)
There’s a clock on the wall behind the bar at this beloved downtown Falmouth pub, which counts down all year long to one date: St. Patrick’s Day. With an Irish flag proudly flying out front and a menu designed to satisfy your cravings for Irish Pub cuisine, Liam Maguire’s hand delivers your passport to Ireland! Come hungry so you don’t have to choose between the Gaelic Poutine and Beef & Guinness Stew, then order an Irish coffee or pint and listen to the best of St. Patrick’s Day songs in this lively pub atmosphere. If you don’t like lines, arrive early, as Liam Maguire’s will fill up fast.

Chatham Squire (Chatham)
At this popular local pub, visitors are always guaranteed a good time (it bills itself as the place "where friends get together", after all). The fun kicks up a notch on St. Patrick’s Day, when the Squire celebrates with such menu items as beer battered fish & chips and live music. Enjoy it all with a pint, naturally.

IrishFest at New Seabury Country Club (Mashpee)
Celebrate for a good cause on Saturday, March 8th, when New Seabury Country Club hosts the annual IrishFest fundraiser for Dana Farber from 2 to 7 pm. In addition to a cash bar and small bites, festivities include bagpipers, Irish step dancers and Irish music. Open to the public, tickets are available online; all event proceeds benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s running program to conquer cancer.

Scally's Irish Ale House (West Yarmouth)
In Ireland, the village pub is where the community gathers, and Scally's Irish Ale House keeps those traditions alive as the quintessential Irish pub in the heart of downtown Yarmouth. The restaurant will paint itself green for St. Paddy's Day, with 30 beers on tap and a menu that features green-inspired dishes like Irish Poutine and Dublin Fried Chicken & Waffles.

Bobby Byrne’s (Mashpee and Hyannis)
Celtic pride is at the heart of Bobby Byrne's two locations on Cape Cod, which celebrates all things Irish when it comes to both its decor and menu. Combining great pub food with a wide variety of beers, there’s a reason the restaurant has been in existence for over 40 years. Bagpipe music will set the scene on St. Patrick's Day as you toast green beer with friends and feast on such Irish specialties as Guinness Beer-battered Fish & Chips.

Quahog Republic Leeside Pub (Woods Hole)
Brush up on your traditional Irish drinking toasts and raise a glass of green beer in this cozy neighborhood gem. Irish classics will grace the specials menu (including a traditional boiled dinner), and musical duo Dickie and Klem will be entertaining on St. Patrick's Day, which will lend itself to plenty of carousing. Bring some gold coins along for Keno and try for a little Luck O’ the Irish while you enjoy your Irish fare.

While it may not be beach season, you can still take the plunge in honor of St. Patrick at the Harwich Polar Plunge to benefit the MA Special Olympics. The cold plunge is at 11 am at Harwich's Red River Beach, and the only requirement for participants is a donation of a little gold to the cause!

And keep the Irish spring theme alive with a round of golf on manicured greens; the milder temperatures as we close in on spring are beckoning you! Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds will have you putting with the best on the championship course known for its walkability. For lush fairways on the upper Cape, try your swing at Falmouth Country Club, featuring a 27-hole, year-round public course. On the mid-Cape, Dennis Pines offers 18-holes amid a 170-acre pine forest and Blue Rock in South Yarmouth is consistently ranked one of the best golf courses in the region.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Cape Cod and experience the local charm and lively festivities that make the day special.