St. Patrick's Day, Animals, Ballet

There are few weekends of the year that officially start on Thursday. This is one of them! Starting today, local businesses and organizations will be celebrating the coming spring with St. Patrick's Day parties and other outdoor festivities. Put on some comfortable shoes and grab a light jacket because the busy spring festival season is about to begin! Here are our suggestions for this weekend.

1. Where/When: ALoft Dulles Airport North, Thursday, March 17, 7:30pm–11:00pm
Why Go: Celebrate your Irish heritage with music from Mama's Black Sheep, Irish food and drink specials, and more.
Pricing: Free

2.
Where/When: Carver Center, Sterling, Thursday, March 17, 11:00am-2:00pm
Why Go: This is one of the senior center's biggest events of the year, featuring a recital by the Celtic Rhythm School of dance, a fabulous Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage, and a musical performance by the Polka Dots.
Pricing: $24.99

3. Where/When: Finnegan's Irish Pub, Ashburn, Thursday, March 17, 9:00am-1:00am
Why Go: Come for Irish breakfast and stay for step dancers and live music on the pub's heated outdoor patio.
Pricing: Free

4.
Where/When: Leesburg Animal Park, Saturday, March 19, 10:00am–7:00pm
Why Go: Brush off the winter with the spring's first outing to the zoo! Leesburg Animal Park will be celebrating the 2011 season by opening its new kids playground.
Pricing: $7.95 kids 2-12; $9.95 kids VIP pass (includes pony ride and souvenir cup of food); $9.95 adults; $7.95 seniors

5.
Where/When: Stone Bridge High School, Ashburn, Saturday, March 19, 3:00pm
Why Go: Check out the classic ballet whose popularity was recently renewed by the Academy Award-winning film starring Natalie Portman. Check out our .
Pricing: $20 adult; $15 children under 12; $15 seniors

Do we miss anything you'd recommend?