If you happen to live in the northeastern quadrant of the United States, then you’re in luck because it’s just a short drive to some of the best, must-attend St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country (don’t worry southerners and those west of the Mississippi, we have something for you too). When city roads fill with floats, people in costumes, marching bands, and plenty of green, these are the places you want to be for a St. Patrick’s Day you’ll never forget. Not to mention that after these parades, there is much more to do in these cities: bar crawls, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and so much more. While you could travel to Ireland to celebrate this festive holiday, why not enjoy a big, memorable experience a lot closer to home?
7 Must-Attend St. Patrick’s Day Parades in America
New York City
It’s no surprise that the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in America is in New York City. This city attracts“ somewhere around two million attendees each year and only continues to grow in size. The 150,000 parade participants show off their heritage with pride, traditional outfits, and flags. In 2025 the parade will take place on March 17 along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
Chicago
Have you ever seen a green river? Well, head to Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and you’ll see the Chicago River in its bright green glory. On March 15 you can watch the dyeing process and catch the parade after. The parade takes place on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive, featuring special guests like The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band. Plus, after you’re done, you can even take a relaxing cruise down the green river.
Pittsburgh
The city of black and gold turns green for a day, honoring the 20% of its citizens with Irish heritage. Line the streets of Downtown Pittsburgh from Liberty Avenue to Grant Street, and then to its finish on Boulevard of the Allies. It’s the perfect opportunity to see Irish step dancers, marching bands, military groups, community organizations, and one of Pennsylvania’s most famous residents, Punxsutawney Phil. No matter the weather, this parade will still be happening on March 15.
New Orleans
You may think of New Orleans only holding parades for Mardi Gras, but this city goes just as hard for St. Patrick’s Day. For three weekends you can catch a number of parades all around New Orleans and its suburbs. The celebration begins on March 16 with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Rd and continues the next day for the Downtown Irish Club Parade. Then, the following weekend, head to the Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade and the Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade on March 22 and 23. Finally, finish off the party with Gretna Irish-Italian Parade on March 30. If that’s still not enough for you, there is still one St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Parade on April 5.
Denver
Looking for the largest parade west of the Mississippi? You’ve found it! Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day parade steps off on 19th & Wynkoop on March 15, featuring special honorees such as the Grand Marshall, Queen Colleen, and Little Shamrock. Besides plenty of people, you’ll also get to see live animals, historical vehicles, clowns, and even completely green-covered floats.
Boston
Boston’s parade celebrates not only St. Patrick’s Day but also Evacuation Day on March 17, marking when British troops left the city of Boston. The end product is a huge parade that combines military honors with shamrock St. Patrick’s Day decor. It seems only fitting since Bostonians were the first to celebrate the holiday in North America in 1737. Keep your eyes open for tons of bagpipes, prominent city figures, and even green, orange, and white confetti.
Philadelphia
If you happen to live on the other side of Pennsylvania and cannot attend Pittsburgh’s parade, you can party in Philadelphia instead. For a city that already loves the color green (go birds), it seems impossible to add more of this color to Philly but the residents find a way. Their parade is actually one of the oldest in the country and for a good reason since it usually features over 200 different groups and 20,000 participants. The three hour long parade’s theme this year is St. Patrick, Bless Those Dedicated to Serving Others and steps off at 16th & JFK on March 16.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
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