St. Patrick's Day 2026: NYC Parade TODAY on Fifth Avenue — 2 Million Expected as Boston Arrests 17 at Southie Parade

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀 Today, Tuesday March 17, 2026, America goes GREEN! From New York City's iconic Fifth Avenue to the streets of Boston, millions of Americans are celebrating Irish heritage in style. Here's everything happening today!

🗽 NYC Fifth Avenue Parade — HAPPENING NOW!

The world's oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade returns to New York City for its remarkable 265th edition — a tradition that predates the founding of the United States itself by 14 years. More than 150,000 marchers are taking to Fifth Avenue while approximately two million spectators line the streets of Manhattan. (The Guardian)

The parade started at 11:00 AM on Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, heading to 79th Street — covering approximately 1.5 miles. The procession typically runs until around 4:30-5:00 PM. (The Guardian)

Grand Marshal: Robert J. McCann, a prominent finance executive and President of the Irish Arts Center's Board of Directors, serves as grand marshal for 2026. (The Guardian)

📺 Watch: WNBC live on TV, NBCNewYork.com, and the NBC 4 app!

🚨 Boston: 17 Arrested at Southie Parade

Hundreds of thousands poured into South Boston for the annual St. Paddy's Day Parade, bringing chaos, booze and Boston Irish enthusiasm. Boston Police reported 17 arrests as of 4 PM, outpacing the nine people arrested after last year's parade. (Variety)

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said he would call for a "formal city council hearing to discuss all aspects of today's parade, including public safety challenges and law enforcement staffing, arrests, and medical emergencies." (Variety)

Despite the arrests, the parade drew crowds from across Massachusetts and beyond, with marching bands, floats, veterans' groups and local organizations making their way through the neighborhood. Irish dancers, bagpipers and Revolutionary War reenactors marched past cheering spectators. (Times Herald Online)

🌟 Celebrity Sighting in Boston!

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown showed up for the parade, much to the delight of fans. Brown was on a float for 741 Performance, his footwear and athletic wear company, along with TikToker Tylil James, who streamed it live on Twitch. (The New York Times)

☘️ What Is St. Patrick's Day?

The day originated as a religious holiday honoring St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century — but it has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish. (The New York Times)

St. Patrick was born in Great Britain in the late 4th century. At age 16, he was taken prisoner and brought to Ireland, where he spent six years in captivity. Though he escaped, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary. He died on March 17 around the year 460. (The New York Times)

📅 St. Patrick's Day Quick Facts

Fact

Detail

📅 Date

March 17 every year

🗽 NYC Parade

265th edition! Since 1762

👥 NYC Crowd

~2 million spectators

🎉 Boston Parade

17 arrested 🚨

🟢 Color

Green ☘️

📺 Watch NYC

WNBC / NBC 4 App

Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️ How are you celebrating today? Tell us below! 👇