St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego includes a huge block party in the Gaslamp Quarter.
It is called the ShamROCK Music + Beer Festival and 2024 is its 28th year. It is comprised of live music, beer (duh!), food and shenanigans in a true celebration of an Irish-inspired “holiday.”
ShamROCK San Diego takes place on Saturday, March 16 from 2-11 p.m., along Sixth Ave., from E Street to G Street. Here are the bands, beer and food vendors, ticket prices and everything you need to know about San Diego’s St. Paddy’s Day block party.
Shamrock San Diego Entertainment
There are two stages with music starting at 2:30 p.m., and going until 11 p.m. They feature, among other acts, Irish folk music and tribute bands to Blink-182, the Foo Fighters and Guns ‘N Roses. There are also performances by the region’s top Irish and Celtic acts with Irish dance performances by the Na Scealaithe Irish Dancers between sets.
PINT STAGE LINEUP
2:30PM – 3:30pm | SKELPIN – An Irish folk group that fuses Celtic music and Spanish flamenco.
4:00pm – 5:00pm | ASS POCKET WHISKEY FELLAS – Often incorporating crowd participation, their playlist runs from Irish traditional to classic rock.
5:30pm – 6:45pm | FINNEGAN BLUE – Blends rock, bluegrass, Irish, gospel, reggae, and NOLA second line with a punk rock edge.
7:15pm – 8:45pm | LEXINGTON FIELD – A fiddle rock band with original sounds and high-energy live shows.
9:15pm – 11:00pm | THE FOOKS – San Diego’s iconic Irish band.
RAINBOW STAGE LINEUP
2:30pm – 3:30pm |BLINK 180 TRUE – America’s #1 Blink-182 tribute band.
4:00pm – 5:00pm | FAUX FIGHTERS – A tribute to the Foo Fighters.
5:30pm – 6:45pm | LIES N ROSES – The Guns ‘n’ Roses experience.
7:15pm – 8:45pm | CASSIE B – A fun and popular local cover band who regularly rocks the house at Moonshine Flats and other San Diego bars.
9:15pm – 11:00pm | PAGING THE 90S – SoCal’s raddest 90’s cover band performing the top hits of the 90s.
The ShamROCK Shenanigans Stage
This is where competitions and lighthearted fun happens, where you can attempt the Irish jig, test your luck in Leprechaun Tug-of-War or compete in Blarney Stone Balancing. Games like Gaelic Jenga and Shillelagh Cornhole are also held there, alongside contests like Unicorn Races – yep! – and Rainbow Streamer Relays. All this is hosted by a mischievous ShamROCK leprechaun emcee.
At 4:15 and 5:45 p.m,, there are Irish dance lessons by by Na Scealaithe where you will learn how to hop, turnout, point and switch.
San Diego ShamROCK Beer
ShamROCK has several selections of beer (plus green beer, of course) and whiskey. Craft brews include Breckenridge Brewery Nitro Irish Stout, Mission Brewery Blonde Ale, Kona Big Wave, and Elysian Space Dust IPA. There is also BeatBox Green Apple and Fruit Punch and a Classic Bud Light Black Cherry Seltzer. Premium and VIP ticket holders will be able to cash in their complimentary drink tickets at any bar and enjoy sipping from their 32oz keepsake commemorative stein. Raise a glass and don’t forget to say “sláinte” for a traditional Irish “cheers!”
Sonsored by Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, Milagro Tequila, Reyka Vodka, and Bud Light, this year’s ShamROCK includes participating bars that will be offering their own drinks. Show your ShamROCK pass for discounts on sponsored beverages during and after the festival.
San Diego ShamROCK Food Vendors
Here’s a rundown of the ShamROCK food vendors.
- Aunty Devi’s Meat Pies – Features Irish delights from savory meat pies to Scotch eggs and sweets like turnovers.
- Wicked Sausage – Artisanal sausages, including Bangers and Mash, and sausage fries.
- Mrs. Kim’s Kitchen – A unique blend of Southern Vietnamese and Irish cuisin , featuring corned beef and cabbage sliders, banh mi sandwiches and matcha-flavored desserts.
- Stick ‘n Bite – Skewers of sausage, chicken or steak with sides and sauces.
- II Cannoli Bar –Dessert including cannoli, calzone, tiramisu, and a selection of beverages.
- Strawberries and Chocolate – Oganic strawberries dipped in Belgian chocolate, sprinkled with toffee crumbs or paired with ice cream.
San Diego ShamROCK Ticket Prices
General Admission tickets start at $44 with access to the full spectrum of festivities and live music. Elevate your experience with Premium tickets starting at $69 with a dedicated check-in, two drink tickets and a 32oz commemorative stein. For the ultimate Celtic day, go VIP, with tickets starting at $99. VIP ticket holders will receive an exclusive package that includes four drinks, expedited entry, access to the Lucky Leprechaun VIP Irish Pub, a Saint Patrick’s Day hat, upgraded restroom facilities and a few surprises. Prices prices go up on March 2 & March 16.
They can be purchase on the event’s official website, www.SanDiegoShamROCK.com.
Earlier in the day, San Diego hosts a parade and Irish festival just outside of Balboa Park. So the true Irish-minded people go there first and then head down the couple of miles to the Gaslamp for ShamROCK.