San Diego's 25th Annual ShamROCK St. Patrick's Day Block Party Returns On Saturday, March 16 | Save On Passes & Enter To Win VIP Tickets

February 3, 2019

 San Diego ShamROCK celebrates its 25th year as Southern California's largest Saint Patrick’s Day bash on Saturday, March 16, from 2pm to midnight, featuring a jam-packed lineup of musical performances across three stages on the streets of downtown San Diego. We are offering our readers top savings in town on this annual block party - promo codes SDVILLE for $5 off GA and SDVILLEVIP for $10 off VIP tickets - plus raffling off 2 VIP passes to attend for one lucky follower.


What started as a 24-year old intern’s passion project has since grown to be one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day block parties in California. San Diego ShamROCK has now been painting the Gaslamp Quarter green for 25 years with over 80,000 square feet of astroturf, 15,000 attendees from across the United States, and live entertainment across 3 stages. Each year ShamROCK takes St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego to a whole new level, transforming this favorite holiday into an outrageous block party experience that takes over the street of downtown San Diego. What many don’t realize is that ever since the first event,  100% of San Diego ShamROCK’s profits have benefitted the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving the architecture, culture and history of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Now the CEO and founder of McFarlane Promotions, Laurel McFarlane began her journey into the world of events and supporting non-profits at the age of 24 as an intern for the Gaslamp Quarter Association. At that time, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Board of Directors had asked her to come up with an event that could help save the organization and keep their doors open. With a combination of overwhelming excitement, sincere passion to help, and an urge to prove her creative cause, Laurel pitched her idea of a St. Patrick’s Day block party to the GQHF board. With a majority vote "yes" to spend the rest of their remaining dollars and endless donation inquiries later - the first San Diego ShamROCK was born. After just a month to figure out how to run an event, Laurel and the board members rolled out the iconic green astroturf, set up a stage with a few Irish and non-Irish bands and hoped for the best. Much to their surprise, a green-dressed sea of San Diegans showed up to ShamROCK in herds with the crowd only continuing to grow into the night. From that one day alone, the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation had earned enough operating capital to keep their doors open for another year and San Diego ShamROCK has continued to help keep it that way ever since.

To this day, Laurel still remembers cleaning up the aftermath ShamROCK had left in the Gaslamp Quarter’s streets at 3am and one girl running by asking if she had put on the event. Laurel nodded as the girl shouted "BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!", and the rest has been history in the making. From this one small event came endless joy, celebration and memories to last a lifetime from people all over the world that came together for a St. Patrick’s Day in San Diego. San Diego ShamROCK has since doubled in size and has seen countless entertainers take the stage, such as the Young Dubliners, Flogging Molly’s, Everlast, Too $hort and many more. 

Everybody is Irish on St. Paddy's Day, so raise a glass of green beer as you enjoy traditional Irish festivities, music and culture at this year's ShamRock. Tickets are available online starting at $45 for General Admission and $100 for VIP, which includes VIP entry, 7 complimentary drinks (3 at the Lucky Leprechaun VIP bar within the ShamROCK venue and 1 drink at VIP hotspots McFadden’s, Machu Picchu, American Junkie, and The Dive SKC all located in the Gaslamp Quarter!), $1 off drinks at the Lucky Leprechaun VIP Bar, access to the Exclusive VIP Lounge, VIP restrooms, and more. Promo codes SDVILLE saves $5 on general admission passes with SDVILLEVIP saving $10 per VIP ticket purchased. Get your tickets soon as the prices increase as the event gets closer.

For more information, to purchase tickets, see the full lineup, and to learn more about the event, visit sandiegoshamrock.com.