Manhattan’s most popular parade begins at 11:00 AM on March 17.
While New York City’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade might have more fanfare, with its famous floats and balloons, Manhattan’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade handily takes the top spot as the city’s most popular parade even without them.
On average, 150,000 people march in the parade and are cheered on by about 2 million attendees. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to 1762, when Irish immigrants and soldiers who had come overseas with the British held a celebration of their cultural heritage. At the time, any expression of Irish pride was banned in Ireland under colonial British rule, but in America, people could freely speak Irish Gaelic, sing traditional songs, and wear their national color: green!
Today, the Manhattan parade features drummers and bagpipes players, traditional Irish dancers, marchers from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, several of the city’s Irish cultural organizations, and more! The procession will be led by Grand Marshal Kevin J. Conway, and as is tradition, they will march past St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue and 50th Street, in honor of the holiday’s origins with Ireland’s patron saint. Attendees and marchers alike often wear green clothing and decorations.
The parade will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 17 and end at roughly 4:30 PM. The parade route begins at East 44th Street, marches up Fifth Avenue, and ends at East 79th Street.
If you are attending, be sure to arrive early if you want a good spot! Anywhere along Fifth Avenue will do. The parade is rarely canceled due to inclement weather, so don’t expect it to stop for average rain or snow. The parade also does not provide portable restrooms, so take that into consideration as well.
If you are not attending but will be in the area, expect road closures, increased traffic on roads and on public transportation and massive crowds and take appropriate precautions. Be advised that on the day of the parade, alcoholic beverages are banned from the city’s mass transit services.
The following roads are confirmed to be closed for the duration of the parade:
● 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street
● Madison Avenue between 63rd Street and 64th Street
● Madison Ave between 78th Street and 86th Street
● Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 46th Street
● 43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 47th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 48th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
● 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
● 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
● 64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
● 72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
● 78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
● 79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
● 80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
● 81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
● 82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
● 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
● 84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
● 85th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
Other frequently asked questions about the parade can be found here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy, and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
