Top 10 St. Patrick's Day Parades in the USA 2025

Celebrating Irish Heritage: America's Most Vibrant Parades

St. Patrick's Day brings joy and festivity across America, as cities from coast to coast burst into shades of green, celebrating Irish culture with grandeur. These parades are not just a tribute to Irish traditions but a spectacular showcase of culture, music, and dance.

This post explores the top 10 parades, highlighting events that captivate with their unique vibrancy and communal spirit, perfect for families looking to partake in the celebrations.

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Route: Kicks off at Liberty Avenue and concludes at Commonwealth Place.
Average Attendance: Over 200,000 spectators.
What's Special: Pittsburgh's parade is known for its wide array of participants, including college bands, firefighters, and Irish dance groups.
Official Website: Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade

9. Denver, Colorado

Route: Starts on Wynkoop at Union Station, moves along 17th Street to Blake, and ends at 27th.
Average Attendance: Around 250,000 spectators.
What's Special: In addition to the parade, the greening of the Platte River in Denver is a unique event not to be missed.
Official Website: Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade

8. Kansas City, Missouri

Route: Begins on Broadway Boulevard, heads south through Westport, and ends at 43rd Street.
Average Attendance: About 200,000 spectators.
What's Special: The parade is known for its creative floats and inclusion of animals, including sheep and Irish Wolfhounds.
Official Website: Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

7. San Francisco, California

Route: Starts at Second and Market Street and moves towards Civic Center Plaza.
Average Attendance: Over 100,000 spectators.
What's Special: The parade shines with its cultural performances and strong involvement of the local Irish community.
Official Website: San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade

6. Cleveland, Ohio

Route: Begins at Superior Ave and East 18th Street and ends at Public Square.
Average Attendance: Approx. 100,000 spectators.
What's Special: Highlight is the participation of numerous "Irish Families of the Year," reflecting Cleveland's deep Irish roots.
Official Website: Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade

5. Savannah, Georgia

Route: Starts at Forsyth Park and winds through the historic streets of Savannah.

Average Attendance: Over 300,000 spectators.
What's Special: Savannah's parade is famous for the "Greening of the Fountain" in Forsyth Park, a symbolic act marking the beginning of the festivities.
Official Website: Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade

4. Boston, Massachusetts

Route: Begins at the Broadway T-Station and proceeds through South Boston, ending at Andrew Square.
Average Attendance: About 600,000 to 1 million spectators.
What's Special: The parade reflects Boston's deeply rooted Irish history and is known for its strong community ties.
Official Website: South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

3. Chicago, Illinois

Route: Starts at the corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo Drive, ending at Monroe Drive.

Average Attendance: Around 400,000 spectators.
What's Special: The unique highlight is the annual dyeing of the Chicago River green, a tradition that has made the city famous worldwide.
Official Website: Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Route: Starts near City Hall and ends at Penn's Landing.
Average Attendance: Over 500,000 spectators.
What's Special: Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of the oldest in the country, distinguished by its historical roots, with a strong focus on the presentation of Irish history and culture.
Official Website: Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

1. New York City, New York

Route: Begins at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue, moving north to 79th Street.

Average Attendance: Over 2 million spectators.
What's Special: The New York City parade is the largest and oldest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, celebrated continuously since 1762. It features an impressive participation of police, fire department, and military units.
Official Website: NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade