Jefferson City Gears Up for St. Patrick's Day Weekend Festivities

Police warn against impaired driving as celebrations ramp up

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:07am

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With St. Patrick's Day falling on a Tuesday this year, many in Jefferson City are gearing up to celebrate the Irish holiday over the weekend. Paddy Malone's Irish Pub, a local establishment that has been hosting festivities since 2000, is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year, culminating in the St. Patrick's Day parade on the Saturday before the holiday. However, the Jefferson City Police Department is reminding residents not to drink and drive, urging them to plan ahead if they intend to consume alcohol.

Why it matters

St. Patrick's Day is one of the most popular drinking holidays in the United States, trailing only New Year's Eve and Mardi Gras. This poses a significant public safety risk, as impaired driving incidents often spike around the holiday. The Jefferson City Police Department is proactively addressing this issue to keep the community safe.

The details

Paddy Malone's Irish Pub, which has been a fixture in Jefferson City since 2000, is gearing up for its biggest weekend of the year. The pub will open at noon on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, with the annual St. Patrick's Day parade kicking off at 2 pm. Following the parade, the pub will host traditional Irish music performances. The Jefferson City Police Department is reminding residents not to drink and drive, urging them to make a plan if they intend to consume alcohol over the weekend. Last year, the department reported zero DUI arrests from March 14 to March 17, and they hope to maintain that record this year.

  • The St. Patrick's Day parade in Jefferson City will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • St. Patrick's Day falls on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Paddy Malone's Irish Pub

A local Irish pub in Jefferson City that has been hosting St. Patrick's Day celebrations since it opened in 2000.

Allen and Marilee Tatman

The owners of Paddy Malone's Irish Pub.

Jefferson City Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that is warning residents against impaired driving over the St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Lt. Curtis Finke

A lieutenant with the Jefferson City Police Department who is urging residents to plan ahead and not drink and drive.

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What they’re saying

“This is our biggest weekend of the year, the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, because we have our parade, always the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. And the weekend will kind of spill into the rest of the week, culminating with Tuesday.”

— Allen Tatman, Co-owner of Paddy Malone's Irish Pub

“If you know you have plans, plan ahead. Make a smart plan about it, don't make that decision if you are consuming alcohol or an intoxicating beverage, or a decision that is going to impair your ability to drive.”

— Lt. Curtis Finke, Jefferson City Police Department

What’s next

The Jefferson City Police Department will be closely monitoring the streets over the St. Patrick's Day weekend to ensure public safety and prevent any impaired driving incidents.

The takeaway

St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Jefferson City are a long-standing tradition, but the community must remain vigilant about the risks of impaired driving. By planning ahead and making responsible choices, residents can enjoy the festivities while keeping themselves and others safe on the roads.