March marks the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, returning to the city streets this year with even more fanfare! Thousands of people come from all over to join in on the party and celebrate the richness of Irish heritage in New York. Plenty of food, drinks and live music will be offered for guests to enjoy while they watch the event. St. Patrick’s Day NYC is one of the most anticipated festivals in the world! For those excited to get involved, follow along for all the must-have details on this time-honored tradition.
When and where is the parade happening?
This Year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 16th starting at 11am and winding down around 4:30pm. The event is planned to start on 5th Avenue at 44th Street and end on 5th Avenue at 79th Street.
What should I expect when going to the parade?
The parade will march down 5th avenue, so guests should plan their trip carefully and arrive as early as possible to secure a good spot along the street. Expect the day of the event to be busy and crowded so parking will be limited and some roads may be shutdown. There will not be any portable restrooms set up alongside the parade route. Taking public transportation is the better option. There are restaurants along and the occasional pushchart food vendors on 6th Avenue and some of the side streets adjacent to the Parade’s route.
Are there other things to do besides the parade?
Yes! Guests are free to wander and go off on their own if preferred. The famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 50th Street will be passed along the way before parade participants make their way toward the American Irish Historical Society (AIHS) at East 80th Street. Folks who want to visit the St. Patrick’s Cathedral can do so by booking a guided tour through the church’s official website. The AIHS is also open every weekday from 9am - 5pm as the go-to resource for all manner of Irish-American cultural exhibitions, lectures, art and musical performances.
The Stone Street Historic District will host their regular St. Paddy’s Festival on March 16th and 17th from 12pm-11pm both days. More information will be released closer to the event, but as far as food goes, tons of different vendors are set to make an appearance and the festival will include live music like traditional bagpipers. There are also tons of quality Irish pubs to check out all over the city.
Other notable activities involve taking a trip to the Lower East Side’s Tenement Museum to see the After the Famine: 1869 tour featuring an inside look at the lives of an Irish-American couple during this era.
In Hell’s Kitchen, the Irish Arts Center brings together creative and cultural programming for diverse audiences to enjoy every weekday from 10am - 6pm. And although it is not bookable at the moment, check back periodically to see whether or not The Irish Mob of Hell's Kitchen: From the Gophers To the Westies tour is available to the public. The two-hour walking tour takes guests through the streets and establishments where infamous Irish gang members once dominated the now upscale foodie mecca.
Be sure to keep an eye on the Empire State Building as well since the top is set to turn green to honor the Irish celebration during the evening.
Is there anything else I should know?
For any other questions, get in touch with the official St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers through their contact page. They can also be reached on Facebook and Twitter.
