San Francisco Celebrates 175th St. Patrick's Day Parade

Thousands gather for annual event honoring Irish heritage and culture

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:34pm by Ben Kaplan

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Thousands of spectators dressed in shades of green lined the streets of downtown San Francisco on Saturday for the city's 175th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade, one of the longest-running St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the U.S., featured Irish bagpipers, marching bands, and dancers representing community groups, unions, and cultural organizations. This year's celebration also marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Why it matters

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is a longstanding tradition in San Francisco that celebrates the city's Irish heritage and culture. The parade draws large crowds and showcases the diversity and vibrancy of the local community. This year's event held added significance by also commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The details

The parade made its way along Market Street from Second Street to Civic Center, where a free festival featuring live Irish music, dances, and cultural performances was held throughout the afternoon. Children also had the opportunity to play traditional Irish sports like rugby, hurling, and camogie.

  • The parade took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • The parade route was closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The players

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco, who appeared in a social media video ahead of the parade to invite the public to join the celebration.

Brooke Jenkins

The San Francisco District Attorney, who planned to take part in the parade.

Scott Wiener

A California state senator who planned to participate in the parade.

Matt Haney

A member of the California State Assembly who planned to march in the parade.

Catherine Stefani

A member of the California State Assembly who planned to take part in the parade.

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What they’re saying

“Come join us as we march down Market Street to right here in Civic Center celebrating all that is Irish in our great city. Let's go, San Francisco.”

— Daniel Lurie, Mayor of San Francisco (Social media)

The takeaway

San Francisco's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is a cherished tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the city's rich Irish heritage and culture. This year's event held added significance by also commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, underscoring the enduring importance of honoring diverse cultural traditions and historical milestones.