St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 in San Francisco

The parade is at the center of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in San Francisco. The Irish diaspora in the city is not as numerous as it once was, but the locals and tourists alike adore the festivities. The parade, which is usually moved to the closest weekend to St. Patrick's Day, attracts thousands of people.

Parade Highlights

The Saint Patrick's Day Parade features kilted bagpipers, Irish dancers, proud marchers, vibrant floats, and plenty of symbolic green, creating a festive atmosphere. The entire Irish community comes together for the procession, with many dance schools showcasing traditional Irish dances. Participants on themed floats throw candies, gold, and green beads to the crowd, adding to the excitement. Nearby stores offer costumes and other festive items, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the St. Patrick's Day celebration fully.

Schedule & Route

In 2025, the parade will take place on Saturday, March 15, for the 174 time! The parade begins at 2nd and Market Street, proceeding down Market Street to the Civic Center Plaza, where the festival takes place. This year, the parade will start at 11:30 am, followed by a music festival from 2 pm to 6 pm. Traffic is blocked for the parade.

Post-parade Festival

Following the parade, the free UniteSF festival is traditionally held at Civic Center Plaza. The main festival area offers food, beer, and live music performances. The program features a variety of acts, including traditional Irish music and dancing. You can also enjoy classic street fair food from vendors and Irish pubs serving dishes like Irish nachos, bangers, and fish and chips. For families, there is a dedicated children's area with games, candy, and other fun activities. The festival usually continues until 6 pm.

Irish Pubs & Special Events in San Francisco

Cheering crowds often head to Irish pubs after the parade. Many bars serve Irish dishes and drinks, in particular, green beer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The Plough and the Stars, Johnny Foley's Irish House, Buena Vista, and Irish Times are among the most popular drinking holes in SF.

Some pubs host special parties leading up to St. Patrick's Day. For example, the Irish Bank will hold its annual St. Patrick's Parade Day block party, opening its doors at 11 am, with festivities starting at 1:30 pm. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music and Celtic rock throughout the event, though entry is limited to those 21 and older. Another exciting option is the LepraCon Pub Crawl, the largest St. Paddy's Day celebration in San Francisco. With over 20 bars, drink specials, DJs, party bus rides, and more, it's the ultimate way to celebrate. Typically, there are three different pub crawls throughout St. Paddy's weekend.