Entertainment, details released for 'Festival of St. Patrick' the weekend before parade day

With the St. Patrick's Day Parade happening on a Tuesday this year, Savannah's Waterfront has released details about the "official" City and organization-sponsored celebration the weekend prior.

Called the "Festival of St. Patrick" to differentiate it from the actual March 17 celebration and parade, the weekend event covers the hours from 6 p.m.-midnight on Fri. March 13, 10 a.m.-midnight on Sat. March 14, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday March 15. (Bars will be able to open that Sunday thanks to a special exemption.)

"Due to the festival and parade being separated by one day this year, there will not be a street party on Tuesday, March 17. Parade guests are encouraged to visit the bars and restaurants along Savannah’s Waterfront and in City Market after the parade on Tuesday," a spokesperson says.

What this means in practice is that the usual requirement to purchase a wristband to drink alcohol outside in the "Festival Zone" will only apply to those weekend hours, not on parade day itself.

Entertainment for that weekend centers on River Street and City Market, and includes several stages: The Guinness Stage at the Barnard Street ramp, the Coors Light Chill Stage on Rousakis Plaza, the Bud Light Seltzer Stage at the Abercorn ramp, the Wild Wing Bud Light stage at Ellis Square near City Market, the Bud Light Seltzer Stage at Jefferson and W. St. Julian Streets.

For a full list of bands and entertainment, go here.

If you’re going to the weekend festival, you will need to purchase a $10 wristband which is billed as "a cover charge for the street party."

Wristbands are required for those drinking alcoholic beverages outside on public streets in the festival zone, which extends from River Street to Broughton Street and East Broad Street to Fahm Street.

Wristbands are not required inside of establishments serving alcohol.

If you’re looking to join the party for more than one day, then you must buy a separate wristband each day.

Wristband presale is the only credit card purchase option. Credit card processing fees are added for each wristband transaction.

All festival onsite wristband sales and bars are cash only. ATMs are located throughout the festival zone.