The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of New York City’s greatest traditions. The first parade was on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence . The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City was held in 1762, and with the dramatic increase of Irish immigrants to the United States in the mid-19th century, the March 17th The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York was held on lower Broadway in 1762 by a band of homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military serving with the British Army stationed in the American colonies in New York City. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride and was banned in Ireland. The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade was held not in Ireland but in New York City in 1762, and with the dramatic increase of Irish immigrants to the United States in the mid-19th century, the March 17th celebration became widespread. The first New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off Lower Broadway on March 17th 1762, fourteen years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Two hundred and sixty one years later, the Parade is considered the largest parade in the world, with 200,000 marchers, and more than two million spectators lining Fifth Avenue to watch The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade™ is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The first parade was held on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. St Patrick's Day parade in New York in 1909 (Image: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Officially, the first New York St Patrick's Day parade happened on March 17, 1762. However, the first known reference to any celebration of St Patrick's Day in New York City is found in a 1756 issue of the New York Post-Boy. The First NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade predates the United States itself, with the first parade held in 1762 by Irish soldiers serving in the British army. This humble procession laid the foundation for what would become the largest and oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. Historical Milestones The world’s first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in New York City on March 17, 1762, held by Irish soldiers serving in the British army. Undoubtedly missing their home across the Atlantic Ocean, they marched in the parade to celebrate their Gaelic culture alongside their fellow Irish brethren in the ranks. THE ORIGINS OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN NEW YORK CITY The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City took place on March 17, 1762. Organized by Irish soldiers serving in the British Army, the parade was an opportunity for them to celebrate their heritage openly and reconnect with their cultural roots. Held annually since 1762, the St. Patrick's Day Parade attracts nearly 2 million spectators and is one of New York City's greatest traditions. To this day, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade remains true to its roots as a marchers-only parade by not allowing floats, automobiles and other commercial aspects. Expect over 150,000 marchers in this year’s parade and another 2+ million spectating and celebrating around the route. We’ve put together a complete guide for the 2025 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade ahead of time to answer all your questions. When is St Patrick's Day 2025? St. Patrick's Day always falls on March 17, which is the date the patron saint of Ireland is believed to have died nearly 1,600 years ago. Get ready to patty hard in the City of Brotherly Love on Sunday, March 10, when one of the country's oldest St. Patrick's Day parades returns. For more than 250 years, Philly has been presenting the epic cavalcade that these days includes more than 20,000 participants, including 200 groups. St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S., will hold its 425th annual St. Patrick's Day parade on March 8th. The parade, starting at 10 a.m., will feature floats, dancers, and bands, including How it began. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in a Spanish colony on March 17, 1601, under the guidance of an Irish vicar. In New York City, the oldest recorded celebration occurred on March 15, 1762, when Irish soldiers paraded through lower Manhattan. On March 17, 1601, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, Spanish settlers and Irish clergy organized the first known St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The St. Patrick’s Day parades in the U.S. Northeast are perhaps better known, however. Boston hosted its first parade in 1737, followed by New York City in 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in The New York City St. Patrick's Day parade, dating back to 1762, is the world's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration. Drew Angerer, Getty Images The 2018 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade in This means that the parade has been a fixture in New York City for the past 262 years, with military units organizing the event for the first few years, according to NYC Saint Patrick's Day Inc. 11. NYC's St. Patrick's Day parade has been happening since 1762 and is one of the world's largest.About how many marchers does it typically have? Answer: Around 250,000 marchers 12. What major
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |