St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 in Charlotte, NC

Saint Patrick's Day in Charlotte is marked by vibrant celebrations and festivities, which begin well before the main events. The highlight of the occasion includes a lively parade and an immersive Irish cultural festival, both taking place on Saturday, March 15. Visitors to the city can also enjoy unique experiences such as green river rafting and a guided pub tour.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off at 11 am, starting at the corner of Tryon Street and 9th Street. The procession marches down Tryon Street, featuring bagpipes, marching bands, colorful floats, and more than 1,000 participants. The parade winds its way through the city for two hours, concluding at 1 pm.

Each year, the parade draws between 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, with vibrant floats, pipe bands, dance groups, schools, community organizations, cheerleaders, and local police and fire unions taking part.

For almost three decades, the Charlotte St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival have been among the city's most beloved annual events. While the parade was temporarily paused for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, it made its triumphant return in 2023. The first parade, held in 1996, began as a small gathering led by a lone bagpiper and has since grown into a large procession featuring 135 entries.

Charlotte St. Patrick's Day Festival

The Parade is followed by the popular Charlotte St. Patrick's Day Festival, formerly known as Charlotte Goes Green Festival, taking place on S. Tryon St., between 3rd St. & Stonewall St. The festival runs from 10 am to 6 pm, featuring live Irish music, dance performances, pipe & drum bands, and much more. The Kids Zone is set up for the little ones with plenty of family-friendly activities. Food vendors offer delicious snacks and beverages to keep everyone happy. The festival is free for the public.

Special St. Patrick's Day Events in Charlotte

In addition to the large-scale events for Saint Patrick's Day in Charlotte, other entertainments are planned.

The Green River Revival is one of Charlotte's largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations, featuring the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run, live music, yoga, and a green river. On March 15, watch as the Whitewater Center's resident leprechaun transforms the river into a vibrant green for the occasion. Begin the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run, then enjoy rafting down the river and live music. While no ticket or pass is required to enter the Whitewater Center property, there is a charge for rafting, and a parking fee is $12 per vehicle.

On March 15, the LUCKY'S St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl is set to take place. It promises an afternoon of bar-hopping across more than five venues, with 2-3 drinks or shots at each stop, followed by a lively after-party. It's the perfect opportunity to gather friends, wear your green, and enjoy a day filled with festive drinks and the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. As the day unfolds, you'll move from one lively spot to the next, creating memories and embracing the fun that comes with the holiday. Just remember, prices tend to go up closer to the event, so it's a good idea to grab your tickets early. Single tickets start at $18.