Annual St. Patrick's Parade Draws 10,000 to Downtown Naperville

The 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade features traditional Irish dance, music, and community groups.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Naperville is expected to draw around 10,000 spectators on Saturday, March 14. The parade features traditional Irish dance schools, bagpipe and drum bands, floats, cars, and marchers celebrating Irish heritage. The parade route starts at Naperville North High School and ends at Naperville Central High School, with awards presented for best overall entry, best new entry, best business, and best nonprofit.

Why it matters

The annual St. Patrick's parade is a long-standing tradition in Naperville, bringing the community together to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. It also marks the start of spring and the "high season" leading up to St. Patrick's Day, providing a sense of hope and new beginnings for the city.

The details

The parade features over 100 entries, including local businesses, politicians, Scouts, youth sports associations, community groups, and of course, St. Patrick himself. Police, firefighters, color guards, and the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville lead the procession. Parade organizers have encouraged participants to make their entries as entertaining and festive as possible, with green t-shirts, beads, gold coins, and traditional Irish music.

  • The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • The parade route heads south on Mill Street, east on Jefferson Avenue through downtown, south on Main Street, crosses Aurora Avenue and down Porter Avenue, ending at Naperville Central High School.

The players

Rich Janor

The parade chair, who said they are expecting around 10,000 spectators and the parade will feature a diverse group of entries.

Eddie Curley

A longtime member of the West Suburban Irish, who will serve as the grand marshal this year in recognition of his years of service and volunteer work with the organization and the Naperville community.

West Suburban Irish Association

The organization that presents the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Naperville.

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What they’re saying

“We're expecting about 10,000 spectators. We'll have a really good blend of community groups, nonprofits, the traditional Irish dance groups, bagpipers, some of the Shriners, local businesses. It's a more diverse group of entries than ever before.”

— Rich Janor, Parade Chair (chicagotribune.com)

“I've been involved with the West Suburban Irish for as long as I can remember. I spent many years working on the parade float at Quigley's Irish Pub. It means a lot to me. I love people and I love being around this whole community.”

— Eddie Curley, Grand Marshal (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The parade will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, marking the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick's Day celebration in downtown Naperville.

The takeaway

The annual St. Patrick's parade in Naperville is a beloved community tradition that brings together diverse groups to celebrate Irish heritage and culture, while also marking the start of spring and the "high season" leading up to the holiday. The parade's longevity and growing popularity demonstrate the enduring appeal of community-based events that bring people together around shared traditions and values.