San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
Tracing back to the city’s very first Irish celebration in 1851, the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest event of its kind west of the Mississippi and today stands as California’s largest Irish cultural gathering. It is organized by the United Irish Societies of San Francisco, an umbrella group formed in 1964 to bring the city’s Irish-American organizations together under one banner.
Held annually each March, the parade marches from Second and Market Streets to Civic Center Plaza, where the Unite SF Festival takes over the area around City Hall for the rest of the day with live music, dance, and food.
Parade & Festival Highlights:
- Downtown Procession: Over a hundred floats, Irish dance troupes, and marching bands travel from Second and Market Streets through the heart of the Financial District to Civic Center Plaza.
- Unite SF Festival: A free festival fills the Civic Center area near City Hall with live Irish music, traditional step dancing, cultural performances, and food vendors.
- Traditional Irish Sports Day: Civic Center Plaza also hosts demonstrations and youth participation in Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, and rugby.
- Community Institution: Organized by the United Irish Societies of San Francisco, the day draws together generations of the city’s Irish-American community organizations.
Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:
- Free Entry: Both the parade and the Civic Center festival are free and open to the public.
- Best Viewing Spots: Market Street and the approach to Civic Center Plaza draw the thickest crowds, so arrive well ahead of the 11:30 AM start for a clear view.
- Getting There: Downtown San Francisco sees heavy crowds and street closures on parade day, so BART or Muni into the Civic Center or Powell Street stations is far easier than driving.
- What to Wear: Mid-March in San Francisco tends to be cool and breezy, so bring a jacket even if the forecast looks mild.
- Accommodation: Downtown San Francisco hotels book up quickly for the weekend, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
- Explore San Francisco: Extend the trip with more of the city’s iconic sights — browse top San Francisco tours and activities here.
The full parade route map and festival schedule are published by the United Irish Societies of San Francisco closer to the date.
See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.
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