St. Patrick’s Day 2025 celebrations in NYC: Parade, bar crawls, more

Greetings from the Big Green Apple!

New Yorkers are ready to shamrock and roll as another round of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off this weekend — culminating in the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world on Monday, March 17, 2025.

More than 150,000 marchers are set to strut their stuff — and show off their pipes — along Fifth Avenue, where they’ll be cheered on by millions.

Look for Midtown to turn into a sea of green as the festivities spill out into bars (both Irish and not), restaurants and elsewhere, through Monday evening.

Here’s everything you need to know.

The parade

What time does the parade start?

The procession starts at 11 a.m. on the dot on Monday — and will end at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Why is the parade on a Monday?

The parade is always held on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, which is a Monday in 2025. The only exception to the rule is when the 17th falls on a Sunday, as it did in 2024. In that case, in order to observe the Sabbath, according to parade organizers, the parade was held on Saturday, March 16.

What is the parade route?

The pipes start calling on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street, heading all the way uptown to 79th Street. Spectators are welcome to line up as early as they like, according to parade organizers, who say that anywhere along Fifth will offer a fine view of the action.

If you can’t make it there in person, the festivities will be televised from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on WNBC and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Cozi TV.

Who is performing?

A vast array of organizations from Ireland, here at home and even around the world, will be showing off their pipes — alongside a sea of marching bands from area high schools and beyond. Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and many other dignitaries will show their faces as well.

Are there any transit disruptions?

Fifth Avenue will be closed between 44th and 79th Streets for the duration of the parade, which will cause backups on surrounding streets until well after the event. Driving in Midtown on Monday is not advised. Regular bus service along the route will be suspended, and subway entrances on or very near the route could be closed.

St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls

What are the best themed bar crawls?

Billing itself as New York’s biggest annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the merchants of Stone Street in the Financial District band together to throw a major block party, held on Saturday and Monday from noon to 10 p.m. this year — expect green Jell-O shots, green margaritas and more.

Numerous organizations such as Blue Crawls, Barcrawlerz and Bar Crawl Live are all running their own 2025 NYC St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls — look for tickets to those and more on Eventbrite.com.

Less organized but equally fun is building your own bar crawl — in Midtown and historically Irish Hell’s Kitchen, for example, you’re spoiled for great options like Langan’s (114 W. 47th St.) and the historic Landmark Tavern (626 11th Ave.), plus tons of options between the two.

Where are the best neighborhoods to celebrate?

Woodlawn Heights in The Bronx is one of the most Irish places in NYC in 2025 — and you can get there via subway (2/5 to Nereid Avenue) or Metro-North (Woodlawn) with just a short walk to your final destination of any of the bars and pubs along Katonah Avenue.

Or keep walking up to McLean Avenue, technically over the line in Yonkers and packed with more great venues like Heritage Bar and Rory Dolan’s.

In Queens, both Woodside and Sunnyside are still blessed with many great drinking dens and restaurants — most famously Donovan’s Pub (57-24 Roosevelt Ave.).

Is there a sober St. Patrick’s Day celebration in NYC?

Absolutely. Go Guinness-free at the Sober St Patrick’s Day event at Church of Our Saviour at 59 Park Ave., at East 38th Street starting at 5 p.m. on Monday. There will be fun for the whole family, including music, dance, readings and more. Admission is $37.50, which includes a buffet dinner.

You could also choose an event like 40 Shades of Green — a six-hour marathon of culture at the New York Irish Center in Long Island City (1040 Jackson Ave.). Come ready for non-stop live music and dance from both sides of the Atlantic. The fun goes from 3-9 p.m. on Monday; tickets are $39.

Other events and activities around NYC

Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral catacombs

No need to wait for St. Patrick’s Day to visit NYC’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral — or its predecessor, the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street downtown.

But the latter’s candlelit catacombs tour, the only of its kind in New York, takes on a special significance at this time of year. For $38, you’ll tour the subterranean resting place and learn about the landmark’s place in the city’s history (263 Mulberry St.)

St. Patrick’s Day mass

An 8:30 a.m. mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue before Monday’s parade kick-off. Tickets are required.

Where is the St. Patrick’s Day ‘Green House’ in NYC?

Decorating your house isn’t just for Christmas — one NYC home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, known as the “Green House,” wears the most Irish of colors proudly through Mar. 17. Just follow the crowds (and the green glow) to 635 79th St. for the proverbial pot of gold.