St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia

‘2nd Oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Country’

UPDATE – March 10: As many might have heard, the 2020 Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been cancelled. The 250th annual parade will be celebrated March 14, 2021. More info, click here.

St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia is just as much of a big deal considering the history. This year marks the 250th annual parade and will take place on March 15 at 11:15 am.

History of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Philadelphia was in 1771 and is the 2nd oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country. Just think that this first took place 5 years prior to the Declaration of Independence ever being signed. New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest, which started in 1766.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia Experience & Atmosphere

The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade will feature nearly 200 different groups with over 20,000 participants who will march down Ben Franklin Parkway. The theme for this years parade will be, ‘250 Years of Faith, Family, Friendship and Heritage’ and the Grand Marshall will be Michael J. Bradley Jr.

The 250th St. Patrick’s Parade will begin at 11:15 am from 16th and JFK Boulevard and makes its way down Ben Franklin Parkway towards City Hall, with a performing area between 6th and 5th streets on Market St, while finishing at Penn’s Landing! Parade Route & Staging Area.

The parade is to include marching bands, floats, Irish Associations, music dance groups, and much more. There should be a lot of excitement for all, especially for those celebrating their Irish heritage. There will also be food vendors and vendors selling Irish knick-knacks along the parade route.

Prior to the parade there will be a Commemorative Parade Mass at St. Patrick’s Church (20th and Locust streets) at 9:15 am. The mass will include a procession of the parade’s grand marshal and board members, as well as the Emerald City Pipe Band.

Best Places to Watch the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade Live

The main thing is that you want to show up early, because crowds should gather quickly. Some of the more popular spots to watch the parade would be the starting point at 16th and JFK Boulevard, around City Hall, many spots along Market Street and Penn’s Landing, where the parade will end.

If you can’t make the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, it will be televised live from noon pm to 1:30 pm on FOX 29 and continue on Buzzr channel from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. The parade will then re-air on March 17, 2020 – St. Patrick’s Day – on FOX 29 from noon to 3 pm.

Philadelphia is known for its parades, to include the Mummer’s parade and the Thanksgiving Day parade. You will not want to miss this Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 10, so put on that green and head into the City of Philadelphia.

Erin go Bragh