Vibe Like a Local at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

New Haven, the Emerald City at the end of the rainbow. Here, holidays and festivals are embraced with fervor, and on St. Patrick’s Day, our neighbors know where to find the best party in the state. For the last 181 years, we have been putting the march in March with the annual Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The largest single day spectator event in the state of Connecticut, the parade attracts more than 300,000 residents and visitors, sharing festive cheer and the luck of the Irish. 

“St. Paddy’s Day” parades as we know them trace back to the 17th century, when the British prohibited the Irish from holding public demonstrations aside from religious processions. In an act of defiance, the Irish held “religious protests” through the streets of Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day, protests which in time evolved into the parades of the present day (sans leprechauns and pots of gold). This festive parade first took to the streets of New Haven in 1842, one of the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parades in New England and the sixth-longest-running parade in America. 

This year’s parade is set for March 12th, starting on Chapel Street at Sherman Avenue. The parade route continues on Chapel Street toward the New Haven Green, turning left onto Church Street, down to Elm Street, and disbursing by Orange Street. The parade will last approximately 3 hours and is 1.3 miles long.

Along the route, keep your eyes open for New Haven’s beloved bars and restaurants, disguised in festive garb of greens and gold. The parade area also features a designated “fun zone” specially for little ones, making this the perfect family-friendly event.

If the chocolate coins don’t hold you over, we’ve got you covered. In the name of holiday tradition, stop into The Trinity Bar for authentic Irish cheer and beer on tap. Owned by two childhood best friends born in Dublin, the bar is a treasure trove of Irish culture, from the atmosphere to the American-Irish fusion cuisine. Whether you’re winding down your day or just getting started, The Trinity is a great place to be. 

The St. Patrick’s Day parade continues to be a highlight of the year for New Haven locals, growing in spectators and size each year. It’s a day marked by Irish pride, cold Guinness on tap, and community togetherness. Will we see you there this year?

For additional details, visit the parade’s official website.