Saint Patrick's Day in Charlotte is celebrated brightly and on a grand scale. The central events of the celebration include a parade and an Irish cultural festival. These events are scheduled on the eve of St. Patrick's Day, on Saturday, March 16. Overall, the festivities will kick off in a few weeks. In addition to the traditional parade and festival, city visitors can witness a green river rafting and embark on a pub tour.
St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 16, 2024)
St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 11 am, stepping off from N. Tryon St. and 9th Street. It then heads south to 3rd Street, takes a left turn, and marches down 3rd St. to Caldwell St. Parade participants will be moving through the city streets for two hours until 1 pm. The parade attracts thousands of spectators and participants, who march through the Uptown to the sound of pipes and the cheers. Colorful floats, pipe bands, dance groups, schools, community associations, cheerleaders, and police and fire unions draw from 50,000 to 80,000 people annually.
For over 20 years, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Charlotte Goes Green Festival have been among Charlotte's most significant annual festivities. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the parade did not take place for two years. However, in 2023, the parade returned to the city. The Charlotte parade first took place in 1996, growing from a small group of people led by one bagpiper to a large procession with 135 entries.
Charlotte Goes Green Festival (March 16, 2024)
The Parade is followed by the popular 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 Celtic 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.
St. Patrick’s Day events in Charlotte (March 9-16, 2024)
In addition to the large-scale events for Saint Patrick's Day in Charlotte, other entertainments are planned. Irish Pride Fest will take place in Rock Hill on March 9th from 12 pm to 6 pm. Also, on March 9th, Rock Hill's Old Town St. Patrick's Day Festival will take place on Main Street Rock Hill. From 12 pm to 7 pm, visitors can enjoy live music, various entertainment, traditional food, and a marketplace. Admission is free.
On March 16th, the St. Patrick's Day Festival at the Whitewater Center is scheduled. The festival will feature the St. Patrick's Day Festival at the Whitewater Center scheduled for March 16th. A special highlight of the celebration will be the green river. The event will run from 9 am to 5 pm. Music and yoga are free, but there is a charge for parking and rafting.
Also on March 16th, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, a festival and bar crawl, is scheduled in Downtown Mooresville. The event will feature Irish dances and music, delicious food, and eight tastings on Main and Broad Streets between Center Avenue and Moore Avenue. To participate, a ticket is required, priced at $30. The event will take place from 3 pm to 8 pm.
