Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2027, on Hillsborough Street. Streets on the route close at 8 a.m.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Updated each year; the same page carries next year’s parade. Facts come from the volunteer Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, which runs the parade.

The Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 13, 2027, at 10 a.m., the committee says. Streets on the route close at 8 a.m., so the organizers advise arriving early for a good spot.

Who to call

When

What Time
Streets on the route close 8 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2027
Parade starts 10 a.m.
Parade usually ends About 11 a.m.

The committee’s FAQ says the parade starts promptly at 10 a.m. and typically ends within an hour.

The route

From the committee:

  1. Assembly on the 100 block of Hillsborough Street, just west of the State Capitol (the FAQ gives the start as Hillsborough and McDowell streets)
  2. West along Hillsborough Street to Glenwood Avenue
  3. Right onto Glenwood Avenue
  4. Along Glenwood Avenue to Lane Street, where the parade ends

Parking and getting there

The FAQ says to park in any public parking deck downtown, or on downtown streets that are not part of the route. Deck locations and GoRaleigh routes are in our getting around guide.

What to know

From the committee’s FAQ:

  • Rain: the parade goes on rain or shine. If the weather is severe, the committee cancels and posts the news on its social media.
  • Dogs: allowed on a leash, with waste picked up, under city ordinances. Crowds are large and there are loud noises.
  • Restrooms: portable restrooms, including accessible ones, in the assembly area on the 100 block of Hillsborough Street and on Willard Place near the AC Hotel Marriott, just off Glenwood Avenue.

Grand marshal and history

The 2026 grand marshal was WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze, according to the committee’s Our Story page. The 2027 grand marshal had not been named when we checked.

The parade began in 1983, the committee says, with a dozen or so Irish Americans marching down Wilmington Street. Raleigh’s Friends of Ireland ran it from 1988, and an independent parade committee drawn from local Irish organizations took over in 2000. The 2020 and 2021 parades were canceled because of the pandemic.

To march or sponsor: sponsorship details are on the committee’s site, and donations keep the parade going, it says; parade sign-ups for 2027 open on raleighstpats.org.

What this means for you

  • Live or work along Hillsborough Street or Glenwood Avenue? Move your car before 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 13.
  • Bringing children? Arrive before the streets close for a curb spot, and use the restrooms on Hillsborough Street or Willard Place.
  • Heading out after? See live music and nightlife and brunch.

More plans: downtown Raleigh and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2027?

Saturday, March 13, 2027. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and usually ends by about 11 a.m. Streets on the route close at 8 a.m.

What is the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade route?

The parade assembles on the 100 block of Hillsborough Street, just west of the State Capitol, heads west on Hillsborough Street, turns right onto Glenwood Avenue and ends at Lane Street.

Where do I park for the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

The organizers say to use any public parking deck downtown, or street parking on downtown streets that are not on the parade route.

Can I bring my dog to the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

Yes, on a leash and with waste picked up under city rules. The organizers warn that crowds are large and the parade is loud.

Is the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade canceled for rain?

No. It goes on rain or shine, but the committee cancels for severe weather and posts the news on its social media.