It's St. Patrick's Day weekend, and Detroit is buzzing with parades and maple sugar fun! We've filtered out all the noise to bring you the best events happening exactly this Saturday, March 14th, and Sunday, March 15th, 2026. From farm tours learning about maple syrup to glittering princess tea parties, there’s something for every family.
See our top picks
Home Depot FREE Kids Workshop
Participating Metro Detroit Home Depot Locations
Build a free Leprechaun Trap on Saturday morning/afternoon.
Disney's The Lion King
Detroit Opera House
Experience this spectacular, large-scale Broadway musical indoors this weekend.
Princess Tea Party
Longacre House
Dress up and have tea with Anna & Elsa (Sunday) or Tiana & Rapunzel (Saturday).
· March 14
12: Invite your little royalty to a formal tea party! Kids can dress up for crafts, dancing, and photos with princesses—Saturday features Tiana & Rapunzel, and Sunday features Anna & Elsa. Don't forget to register as both adults and children need tickets.This is a rare chance to meet specific Disney characters in a fun setting, running both days of the target weekend.
MAKING MAPLE SYRUP TOURS : Head out to Maybury Farm to see exactly how maple syrup is made this season. Families get a wagon ride, a look inside the sugar shack, and, best of all, a fresh syrup sample. Registration is required for this popular farm tour.A seasonal, educational farm outing that runs all weekend.
: The award-winning Broadway production of The Lion King is in town for a limited run! Experience the incredible costumes, puppetry, and unforgettable songs. This is a top-tier theater experience for the whole family.This is the final weekend for this major Broadway touring show in Detroit.
: Enjoy a fun, kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day celebration in Lake Orion this weekend. Activities include Irish dancers, magic shows, bounce houses, and a gold coin scavenger hunt for prizes.This event runs both Saturday and Sunday and offers varied, active entertainment for younger kids.
TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE AT ROYAL OAK ICE ARENAFREE : Give your kids aged 10 and under a chance to try hockey for free! This clinic lets them test out the sport without needing to own any equipment first. Pre-registration is required to secure a spot.A fantastic free opportunity for kids new to hockey happening Saturday morning.
: Take a walk at Kensington Metropark to see how maple trees are tapped and how sap is collected. While the event activities are free, you will need a Metroparks pass to enter the park. Pancake breakfasts are also available nearby for extra treats!This is a great, low-pressure outdoor activity that is free to attend (aside from park entry) and runs most of Saturday.
FREE : Head to downtown Royal Oak for their family-filled celebration of Irish tradition. They encourage everyone to decorate wagons and bicycles in green before the parade starts.A great, free community parade happening Saturday, an alternative to the main Detroit parade on Sunday.
: Start your Saturday morning in Pinckney with a 5K followed by a Kids Run! Stick around until noon when the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Celebration kicks off immediately after the awards.Offers family running/walking combined with a parade, giving great structured morning fun.
: If you missed the farm tours, head to Palmer Park on Saturday morning for the Maple Sugar Festival. Details are sparse, but expect activities related to identifying and processing maple sap.Specific, localized maple event happening Saturday morning.
: Spend an afternoon playing Bingo while supporting a good cause! Bring a candy bar and an item for the Brownstown Animal Shelter to join the fun. It's a great, low-key way to spend a Saturday afternoon supporting local animals.A uniquely themed, family-inclusive activity that benefits charity, running Saturday afternoon.
LEPRECHAUN TREASURE HUNT : Help the SELCRA Leprechaun search for gold in Brighton this Saturday afternoon! The event includes a craft, games, and a gold hunt that ends with a goodie bag for the kids.Structured treasure hunt fun happening Saturday afternoon in the Brighton area.
: Tour Meadow Brook Hall with a focus on the secret lives of the downstairs staff, inspired by Downton Abbey! This behind-the-scenes immersion runs multiple times both days, but advance tickets are required.A unique, historically themed indoor activity running both weekend days.
· March 15
2FREE : Catch Detroit's big St. Patrick's Day celebration downtown! This major parade features marching bands, floats, and lots of festive energy winding through historic Corktown. Arrive early to grab a good spot along Michigan Avenue.The largest Detroit St. Patrick's Day event happening Sunday afternoon.
: Head to the Howell Nature Center Sunday afternoon to hunt for gold coins (which are candy!) hidden in the woods. You’ll need to navigate using a map to find the treasures.A fun Sunday afternoon nature scavenger hunt that is explicitly for ages 5+.
Also On· anytime this weekend
1: Need a parents' night off while the kids burn off energy? Troy Gym hosts their weekly Kids Night Out every Saturday. Children ages 5-12 get three hours of supervised fun in the gym facility.A reliable, dedicated evening event for parents of elementary-aged kids happening Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Detroit this weekend?
This weekend (Mar 14-15) look for the free Home Depot Kids Workshop on Saturday, the Detroit St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday afternoon, and the Try Hockey for FREE clinic in Royal Oak on Saturday morning.
Are there any St. Patrick's Day parades happening?
Yes! The main Detroit St. Patrick's Parade is Sunday at 1 PM in Corktown. You can also catch parades on Saturday in Royal Oak (12 PM) and Pinckney (after 11:30 AM).
What can we do outside that is family-friendly this weekend?
If the weather is nice, check out the Making Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury Farm, or enjoy the Maple's Sweet Story walk at Kensington Metropark. The World of Winter Festival on the Detroit Riverfront is also running.
