St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival 2025 in San Diego

On St. Patrick's Day, everyone in San Diego has the chance to embrace their inner Irish. The city comes alive with a vibrant array of celebrations, offering something for everyone to enjoy. From lively parties and festive pub crawls to family-friendly festivals, spirited running events, and a dazzling parade, San Diego transforms into a hub of Irish culture and community.

San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade

San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade is held every March on Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street. In 2025, it will take place on Saturday, March 15. The parade start time is 10:30 am. Thousands of marchers and spectators line up the streets to see fantastic floats, high school marching bands, clowns, dancing groups, equestrian units, and police and fire department units. Altogether, more than 120 entries proceed North up Fifth Avenue to Upas Street, then over to Sixth Avenue, and South on Sixth to Juniper St.

This year's theme, "Celebrating Irish Business," highlights a day brimming with energy and the spirit of Irish entrepreneurship. The Irish Congress of Southern California, which organizes the Parade, is a completely volunteer-run organization.

The Irish Festival

The Parade is followed by the Irish Festival, which is held from 9 am to 6 pm. The festival takes place at Balboa Park, located on Sixth Avenue and Maple St.​ The event features the Flag Presentation Ceremony at 9:45 am and lots of live entertainment on two stages.

Get ready to enjoy Irish step dancers, folk singers, and bands in a day filled with live entertainment, an expanded kids' area, and fun for the whole family until 6 pm. Spend the day exploring craft and vendor booths, savoring delicious food, and enjoying live performances. Dress in green, bring your loved ones, and celebrate Irish culture and community! Admission is $10 for adults 21 and over, with free entry for active duty military with valid ID.

On Parade and festival day, visitors can enjoy free parking and shuttle service. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 9 am to 6 pm, connecting the Inspiration Point parking lot on Park Blvd and Presidents Way to the corner of 4th Avenue and Laurel Street.

ShamROCK

ShamROCK is an annual beer and music festival taking place in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter district. The historic neighborhood gets run over by rock music fans dressed in green and all kinds of leprechauns for the authentic Irish celebration.

The 2025 edition will feature non-stop Irish Rock & tribute band performances on three stages all day long. The ShamROCK Shenanigans Stage offers free Shenanigan Showdowns all day long, with epic prizes that will leave your friends green with envy! Attendees can show their strength with leprechaun challenges, dazzle the crowd with their best jig, or prove they're the feistiest leprechaun in a lively battle for the spotlight.

General admission to the festival, which runs from 2 to 10 pm, starts at $45 for adults and $30 for youth. Kids aged four and under can enter for free.

San Diego Leprechaun Run

The San Diego Leprechaun Run is an annual St. Patrick's Day tradition where participants are encouraged to don costumes or festive green attire. The event features a 5K run for adults and a 1K run for kids, taking participants through the streets of downtown Pacific Beach. Runners enjoy perks like a commemorative t-shirt, medal, chip timing, free event photos, and a complimentary drink at the finish line.

Adults start the race at 9 am, with the kids' run kicking off at 10:30 am. Registration costs $49 for the 5K and $29 for the Kids 1 Mile Run. Celebrate the holiday in style by crossing the finish line under the rainbow and starting your St. Patrick's Day festivities.