St. Patrick’s Day Weekend is coming up. Yet, several different locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic have already held their very own localized parades and other in-tandem festivities well in advance of the occasion. Don’t feel glum if you missed any of the now-past parade processions for the 2024 season. There are still many others happening this weekend that are sure to get your Irish (or not-so-Irish) eyes smiling through and through. Here are just some of the great upcoming St. Paddy’s Parades to check out this weekend throughout the region.
Delaware
The City of Dover’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
For the folks in Delaware who missed all of last week’s parades, the City of Dover and Agapé Body Piercings are teaming up to bring you the 2024 installment of the community’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Taking place on Saturday, March 16 in Dover’s Historic Downtown District, the parade will step off promptly at 1 p.m. The route will travel from the corner of Loockerman and Federal Streets, heading down Loockerman and then to the Duncan Center. From there, judging will take place, with follow-up entertainment, food trucks, and good times located all around Bradford Street, across from Loockerman Way Plaza.
This year’s theme will be “A Sharmrockin’ Good Time”—a sentiment that all who participate will rightfully agree is most befitting. Click here for more information on the parade and other surrounding events in affiliation with it.
Maryland
Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade
You’ll be doing a jig around the State Capital all weekend long. That’s because festivities kick off early on Friday evening, March 15, with the 9th Annual St. Patrick’s Hooley honoring the Grand Marshal and all things Irish. The Hooley (preparade party) will get underway at 5 p.m. and continue through the evening until 10 p.m. It will be held on location at the Susan Campbell Park.
More preluding parade fun will fill your Saturday with the family-friendly Shamrock The Dock festival event. For this, the good times will get underway at noon on March 16, and continue into the night with a 10 p.m. conclusion. Note that this is a recurring festival party laden with bands, games, food, drinks, and more. It will repeat on Sunday.
As for the grand event, the Annual Annapolis St. Patrick Parade will take place on Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. The procession will start below Westgate Circle/Park Place and then venture down West Street to Church Circle before heading clockwise around the traffic circle to Main Street. From there, the route will continue down Main Street, ending at City Dock where the aforementioned festival will continue through the day. Learn more about St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Annapolis by clicking on the official site link.
Easton’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Another fun St. Patrick’s Day parade to check out is the one happening in Easton on March 17. An event taking place a little later in the day than others, the parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m., traveling a route from the district court on West Dover Street, down Dover Street, and then up Harrison Street. From there the procession will head down Goldsborough, continuing on Washington Street, past the judge’s table setup, and then back down to Dover. Then, immediately following the parade comes everyone’s eagerly anticipated favorite frolic—the St. Patrick’s Day Potato Race, hosted by the Talbot County Young Professionals. Click here to find out more about the Parade and Potato Race.
Gaithersburg’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Gaithersburg is a tradition 22 years in the making. Made possible by the City of Gaithersburg in partnership with The Peterson Companies and rio, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, March 16 beginning at 10 a.m. sharp. The procession will commence from Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner Avenue and comprise a host of diverse inclusions, from Celtic dancers to bagpipe bands, equestrian units to fire trucks, school marching bands, and more.
Following the parade, there will be plenty of onsite happenings to keep spirits soaring the whole day through. Some of the onsite follies include live music, great food and other vendor setups, pop-ups, and a host of family-friendly activities to be enjoyed by folks of all ages. Visit the website to learn more.
Ocean City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 2024 installment of Ocean City’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade provides the perfect excuse for coasting on over to Maryland’s East Coast this weekend. A beloved community mainstay since 1980, every year’s event gets even bigger and better, now boasting status as the largest St. Patrick’s parade in the state of Maryland.
The parade will begin promptly at noon on Saturday, March 16, stepping off at 57th Street onto Coastal Highway. From there, the procession will head south toward the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the bleachers and judge stands will be set up. Here awards and trophies will be presented to various floats, marching bands, and other parade participants. This is also where the bulk of follow-up festivities will take place, including live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, Irish dancing, vendor sales, souvenirs, and more. The festival site will open at 11 a.m. and remain open until 3 p.m. Due to road closures and to help avoid traffic delays, parade spectators are encouraged to arrive at nearby parking/viewing locations by 10:30 a.m. Visit the Delmarva Irish-American Club website for more information.
Pennsylvania
Harrisburg’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
St. Paddy’s Day happenings will be ongoing all around the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District on Saturday with the return of the area’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade, which is slated for 2 p.m., will immediately follow the day’s earlier event—the Lucky Charm 4-Mile Race—at noon.
The procession will commence from the Market Street Bridge, heading onto Second Street, where it will continue left onto North Street and then onto Front Street, eventually making its way to Market Street Bridge again. The ensemble of marchers and participants will include Irish pipe and drum bands, animals, fire trucks, dance groups, local bands, famous characters, tractors, motorcyclists, and more. It will make for a mutually befitting day for all ages and interests indeed. View the link to learn more.
York’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Another community tradition that’s been going strong for 38 years now is happening over in Downtown York this Saturday. It’s the Annual York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. While the actual parade will get underway at 1 p.m. sharp, prelude entertainment and events will commence at 11 a.m., taking place at various venues throughout the city. Some of the highlighted happenings include Ni Riain School of Irish Dance performances at Central Market (starting at 11 a.m.), Oh! Gills Irish Dance Team performances at Martin Library (starting at 11:30 a.m.), a performance by Miss Teen PA—Lizzie Shacklett—at the Yorktowne Hotel (starting at 11:30 a.m.), Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance performances at Penn Market (starting at noon), and various ongoing festivities throughout the day at Continental Square.
Read more about the parade and all other surrounding festivities by clicking on the official website link.
Virginia
Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Downtown Roanoke will play host to another annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade of great acclaim. Sponsored by Freedom First, the parade will step off promptly at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, traveling a course originating at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Elm Avenue. From there the procession will head north to Campbell Avenue before turning right and ending at Williamson Road.
In tandem with the parade, also taking place on this day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. will be the Freedom First Shamrock Festival, held in the Plaza behind the City Market Building. Admission is free, and the day’s event includes a host of entertainment, activities, food, and more. Also take note that early on in the day will be the Shamrock Hill Run 5K & 1 Miler at 9 a.m., happening onsite at Roanoke Catholic School. Click here to learn more about the parade and all these other happenings.
Norfolk St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Another longtime community tradition happening this Saturday in Virginia is the 57th Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Norfolk. Commencing at 10 a.m., the parade will kick off from Northside Middle School (at the corner of Westmont Avenue and Granby Street), heading north before turning left at A View Avenue and then left on First View Street before ending at the intersection of First View and Government Avenue.
Following the parade’s noontime conclusion will be a host of free festivities and events open to the public. These will all take place inside the Columbian Club of Ocean View and include live music, food, and family-fun follies for all ages to enjoy. Learn more about the parade and follow-up party at the official site link.
In addition to all the parades highlighted here, there are a host of other St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to enjoy throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. These include festivals, pub crawls, special dining/drinking events, staged entertainment, fun runs/races, and so much more. As always, it’s a good idea to check for last-minute updates and changes surrounding any venue you plan on attending.