St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2024 in San Francisco

Wear your best green attire and attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade to feel the spirit of San Francisco’s Irish community

Dates: March 16, 2024

The parade is at the center of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in San Francisco. Kilted bagpipers, Irish dancers, proud marchers, bright floats, and plenty of symbolic green color are the highlights of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade. The entire Irish community participates in the procession. 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. This year, the parade takes place on March 16 for the 173rd time!

The parade traditionally goes along Market Street. This year, it will start at 11:30 am, followed by a music festival from 2 pm to 6 pm. Traffic is blocked for the parade. Participants move towards City Hall, where there is a food court and various entertainment. Many dance schools participate in the parade so that spectators can witness authentic Irish dances. Parade participants on themed floats throw candies, gold, and green beads to the crowds. Nearby stores offer costumes and other festive items to help experience the atmosphere of St. Patrick's Day.

Post-parade Festival UniteSF

After the parade, a free UniteSF festival will take place at Civic Center Plaza. The program features traditional Irish Music & Dancing, Irish Rock (The Hooks), Gospel (The Glide Ensemble), and Soul (Dublin Soul). Overall, the festival will run from 11:30 am to 6 pm.

Irish Pubs 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 organize special parties leading up to St. Patrick's Day. For instance, Irish Bank will host two parties on March 16 and 17, from 1:30 PM to 11:30 PM. Note that entry is restricted to those aged 21 and older. On the evening of March 15, Schroeder's Pub invites you to a party, featuring green beer, live music, and themed entertainment. Pub Crawls will also occur on March 15, 16, and 17 as part of the LepraCon Pub Crawl.