The New York St. Patrick’s Day Parades 2027

The New York St. Patrick’s Day Parades

The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world, marching up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan every March 17th since 1762 — fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence. In 2027, the main parade falls on Wednesday, March 17th, once again drawing an estimated 150,000 marchers and roughly two million spectators along the route.

Beyond the Fifth Avenue procession, the celebration spreads across the wider New York area, with sister parades held in the surrounding weeks in Yonkers, the Bronx, Rockaway, and other nearby communities, along with the city-wide tradition of lighting iconic landmarks — including the Empire State Building — bright green in honor of the day.

Parade Highlights:

• The Grand Fifth Avenue Parade: The main event, stepping off at 11:00 a.m. from 44th Street and marching north to 79th Street, with the final units typically passing by around 4:30–5:00 p.m.
• Bagpipe Bands & Irish Organizations: Dozens of pipe and drum bands, county societies, fire and police units, and Irish cultural and fraternal organizations march in formation, filling Fifth Avenue with music for hours.
• Sister Parades Across the Region: In the weeks surrounding March 17th, related parades take place in Yonkers, Throggs Neck in the Bronx, Rockaway, and other nearby communities — each with its own local traditions and crowds.
• The City Turns Green: Landmarks across New York, most famously the Empire State Building, are illuminated in green from sunset as part of the citywide celebration of Irish heritage.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• Free Public Viewing: The parade route along Fifth Avenue is free and open to the public; no tickets are required to watch from the sidewalk.
• Best Viewing Spots: The stretch between 44th and 59th Streets is closest to the start and the most crowded; the upper end of the route, around 70th–79th Streets, tends to be calmer and better suited for families.
• Getting There: Fifth Avenue closes to traffic along the full route, so the Lexington Avenue 4/5/6 subway line is the recommended way in — each station sits a short walk from the parade line.
• What to Wear: Mid-March in New York can be cold and windy; dress in warm layers and expect to be standing outdoors for several hours.
• Accommodation: Hotels near the Fifth Avenue route and Midtown fill up quickly around March 17th, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
• Explore New York City: Make the most of the trip with a stop at other Midtown and Central Park landmarks — browse top New York City tours and activities here.

The parade’s full program, exact route map, marching band lineup, and street closure schedule are published on the parade organizer’s official website closer to the date. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.