St. Patrick's Day Parade & Irish Festival
The 35th Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade (largest parade west of the Mississippi) will step off on on Fifth Avenue at Laurel Street as thousands of marchers and spectators gather to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland.
There will be over 120 parade entries. See bagpipers and high school marching bands, police and fire department units, floats, dancing groups, marching and equestrian units, clowns, dignitaries and honorees, representatives from Ireland, antique cars and more. The theme of this year’s parade is “Celebrating Faith and Freedom.”
Following the parade, an event-filled Irish Festival in Balboa Park features live entertainment on two stages. In the morning we have Irish step dancers and then we have a full afternoon line-up with Irish folk singers and bands. All day there are craft booths, food booths, a beer garden and a kids zone with rides.