Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day rolls down the lower section of Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue. This parade features Mardi Gras-style floats. Marchers and riders in the parade will have plenty of green beads and doubloons to throw, along with the makings of Irish stew (minus the beef). So watch for onions, potatoes, heads of cabbage and carrots flying through the air. Tuxedo-clad marchers hand out paper flowers in exchange for a kiss on the hand or cheek. Make sure you wear something green – with so many parade-goers, the law of St. Paddy’s day attire is strictly enforced, so if you don’t follow it, you may just get pinched!
There is also a block party located at Annunciation Square, near Chippewa and Race streets. You’ll find plenty of Irish music and dancers, food from local restaurants, arts and crafts booths, wine and beer. Off-street parking is available. All proceeds go to benefit St. Michael’s Special School.
You can also check out a number of other block parties as well as special events at Irish pubs throughout the city.
Downtown Irish Club Parade
Always on St. Paddy's Day itself, the Downtown Irish Club Parade starts in the Marigny and rolls through the French Quarter and downtown. Expect pre-parties at the start of the route and after-parties at the end of the route. The march features members of the Downtown Irish Club alongside the 610 Stompers, plus other dance groups and musicians. Along the way, they make stops at some of New Orleans’ most beloved establishments, turning the parade into a massive bar crawl. Don't be caught not wearing green!
St. Patrick's Day Events