March 14, 2026 · Events · San Diego, CA

San Diego's 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Returns

Downtown San Diego will be painted green on Saturday as the 44th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival takes over the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods. The beloved tradition, one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations on the West Coast, runs rain or shine.

Parade Details

The parade steps off at 10:30 AM from the corner of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street, winding through the heart of Balboa Park before heading downtown along Fifth Avenue. The route passes through the Gaslamp Quarter and concludes at the festival grounds near Sixth and K Street.

This year's parade features over 120 entries, including decorated floats, Irish dance troupes, pipe and drum bands, community organizations, and local school groups. Grand Marshal duties fall to longtime San Diego community leader and Irish-American advocate Maureen O'Connor-Walsh.

Festival Highlights

The accompanying festival runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and features:

• Three stages of live Irish and Celtic music
• Traditional Irish food and craft beer garden
• Children's area with games and face painting
• Irish cultural exhibits and genealogy booth
• Artisan market with local and Irish-import vendors

Getting There

With road closures expected throughout downtown, organizers strongly encourage public transit. The MTS Green Line trolley stops at multiple convenient locations along the parade route. Limited parking is available at Horton Plaza and Petco Park garages.

Admission to the parade is free. Festival entry is $5 for adults, free for children under 12. For full details, visit the San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade website.