Guinness Turns St. Patrick’s Day Into a Month-Long Celebration With Bagels, Givebacks, and Festivities
For many beer fans, St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Pints are flowing, parades fill the streets, and bars across the country are packed with people raising a toast together. But this year, Guinness is stretching the celebration well beyond just one day.
As someone who spends a lot of time exploring beer culture, I always enjoy seeing how breweries celebrate big beer holidays—and this one brings together food, community, and tradition in some pretty interesting ways.
A Guinness Bagel Collaboration You Probably Didn’t See Coming
One of the most unique parts of the celebration is a limited-edition collaboration between Guinness and PopUp Bagels.
The limited release will be available March 12 through March 25 at PopUp Bagels locations around the country.
Some locations will even offer tiny samples of Guinness Draught and Guinness 0 alongside the bagels, which makes the experience even more interesting—especially for fans who enjoy pairing beer flavors with food.
Select sampling events include:
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Charlotte, NC – March 14 (10 AM – 1 PM)
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Boston, MA – March 14 (10 AM – 1 PM)
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La Jolla, CA – March 14 (10 AM – 1 PM)
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Atlanta, GA – March 15 (10 AM – 1 PM)
I have to admit—when you think about Guinness, bagels probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But the chocolate, roasted malt, and coffee-like flavors in stout actually pair pretty naturally with cream cheese-style spreads and baked goods.
Supporting Bartenders With the “Stache for Charity” Initiative
Another big focus for Guinness this March is supporting the hospitality industry, particularly bartenders who help make St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happen every year.
Guinness is bringing back its “Stache for Charity” initiative, inspired by the iconic foam mustache that often appears after taking a sip of Guinness.
The concept is simple and fun:
Fans are encouraged to grow, draw, wear, or recreate a Guinness “stache”, post it on Facebook or Instagram, and tag @GuinnessUS with the hashtag #GuinnessGivesBack.
For every qualifying post shared through March 31, 2026, Guinness will donate $1 (up to $50,000) toward initiatives that support, educate, and advance professionals in the hospitality industry.
It’s a playful campaign, but it highlights something that often gets overlooked during big celebrations—the people behind the bar who make those experiences possible.
Guinness Showing Up at Major St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
Of course, no Guinness celebration would be complete without being present at some of the country’s most iconic St. Patrick’s Day events.
Chicago River Dyeing
One of the most famous traditions in the United States is Chicago’s annual river dyeing, where the Chicago River turns bright green ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Guinness is returning as the official sponsor of the event on March 14, working in partnership with the Chicago Plumbers Union.
It’s a spectacle that draws huge crowds every year—and one that naturally pairs well with a pint of stout.
St. Patrick’s Day Parades
Guinness will also appear at several of the largest parades in the country, including:
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New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade
These events attract hundreds of thousands of attendees each year and remain some of the biggest Irish heritage celebrations in the United States.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery Celebrations
For those who want to celebrate directly at the source, Guinness will be hosting large-scale festivities at its Open Gate Brewery locations in Chicago and Baltimore.
Chicago Open Gate Brewery
From March 13–15, the Chicago brewery will serve as a central hub for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the West Loop.
Highlights include:
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Live music and DJs
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Irish-themed snugs and photo opportunities
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Face painting and giveaways
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Special events for visitors after the Chicago River dyeing
The brewery will open early at 9 AM on March 14 to welcome the crowds coming from the river festivities.
Baltimore Open Gate Brewery
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Open Gate Brewery will host an extended celebration featuring two weekends of events leading into St. Patrick’s Day.
Activities include:
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Live Irish music
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Tastings and special releases
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Irish dance lessons
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Cocktail classes
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Full Irish breakfasts
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Limited-edition brews and seasonal food
The celebration culminates with an all-day St. Patrick’s Day event on March 17 from 10 AM to 10 PM.
Guinness 0 Also Part of the Celebration
Another interesting aspect of this year’s campaign is the inclusion of Guinness 0, the brand’s non-alcoholic version of its famous stout.
Guinness says the alcohol-free option offers the same roasted flavor profile and iconic taste as Guinness Draught, allowing more people to participate in the celebration even if they’re skipping alcohol.
That’s part of a broader trend we’re seeing across the beer industry where non-alcoholic versions of classic beers are becoming more widely available.
A Month Built Around Community
At its core, this expanded celebration reflects something that has always been central to Guinness: bringing people together.
From supporting bartenders and hospitality workers to creating new food collaborations and showing up at community events, the brand is leaning heavily into the social aspect of beer culture this March.
And whether it’s enjoying a pint at a parade, trying a Guinness-inspired bagel spread, or posting a foam mustache for charity, it’s clear Guinness wants fans to have more ways than ever to celebrate the season.
Final Thoughts
St. Patrick’s Day will always be the centerpiece of March for Guinness fans, but expanding the celebration into a full month gives people more chances to participate—especially with unique collaborations and events happening around the country.
If you’re a fan of the brand, it might be worth keeping an eye out for some of these events or even tracking down that Guinness Chocolate Stout Cake Schmear while it’s available.
Because if there’s one thing Guinness has always been good at, it’s creating moments where people gather, raise a glass, and enjoy the experience together.
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