St. Patrick's Day in NOLA
While many flock from all over to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day in the city is just as exciting.
Between parades, block parties, and bar crawls, there is no dull moment! Here are our top picks for St. Patrick's Day events on the holiday on March 17 and the weekends surrounding it.
1. Parasol's & The Channel's Block Party
Parasol's and The Channel will be throwing their iconic block parties this year on March 17. These are all-day festivals with live music, food, and drinks. They are famous for their large crowds and iconic green beer. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in true New Orleans fashion over at Parasol's and The Channel.
2. Gretna Italian-Irish Parade
The Gretna Italian-Irish Parade is an amazing family friendly activity over on the Westbank. This Italian and Irish celebration is known for having over 50 floats and for tossing over 3,000 pounds of cabbage! Unlike a traditional Irish parade, they also throw lemons to celebrate their Italian heritage. The parade is Sunday, March 8, and kicks off at noon in Historic Downtown Gretna.
3. Molly's at the Market Limo Bar Crawl
Another amazing bar crawl option is Jim Monaghan's annual St. Paddy's limo pub crawl. If you want to feel like Irish royalty for a day, join this pub crawl in your fanciest green attire and ride around in a limo for the day! The tickets start at $175 and include a lunch and the limousine rental for the day. This will be at Molly's at the Market on Friday, March 13, starting at 8 a.m.
4. Lucky Street St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
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If a bar crawl is more your speed than a parade, check out the Lucky Street Bar Crawl. The crawl will feature some of the most iconic bars in New Orleans. This year, the lineup is Misfit Toys, Fetiche, Bourbon Heat, and High Grace. Come join many other crawlers and celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
5. Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club's Parade
Since 1947, Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club's parade has been held on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. They are known for their traditionally Irish throws, including cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and onions, and chorus of bagpipes. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, on Felicity and Magazine Street and ends at Jackson and Annunciation Street. Wear green to avoid getting pinched!
6. St. Patrick's Day Parade of Jefferson
The St. Patrick's Day Parade of Jefferson is a perfect way to enjoy the holiday without the craziness of the French Quarter. This parade will be on Sunday, March 15, at noon in Metairie. It will start at 41st St. and Severn Ave., go south on Severn, turn left on Metairie Road, go to Focis St., turn left, and end on Canal Street. They are known for throwing produce such as cabbage, onions, potatoes, and carrots, as well as beads, cups, and flowers!
7. Downtown Irish Club St. Patrick's Day Parade
While many of these options are on the weekend leading up to the holiday, the Downtown Irish Club Parade is always on St. Paddy's Day! The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. and will kick off from the Marigny Triangle. The route will be through the Marigny, French Quarter, and into the Central Business District. There will also be an afterparty at Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
8. Finn McCool's Party
Another great event happening on St. Patrick's Day is Finn McCool's Block Party. Finn McCool's is an Irish bar and neighborhood hangout in Mid-City. Their block party will have live music, karaoke, Irish dancers, and traditional Irish stew! The block party has traditionally been an all day affair, so stop by whenever and have a great time!
9. Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade
The Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade has been rolling through Metairie for over 40 years. This parade was started to celebrate the cultures of these two nationalities and to donate to local non-profit organizations. The parade will start at the Clearview City Center at noon on Sunday, March 22, and end at Martin Behrman Drive. Come see a family-friendly and festive display of both Irish and Italian heritage!
10. St. Bernard's Irish, Italian, & Isleños Parade
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Not one, not two, but three distinct communities will be honored and celebrated at the annual Irish, Italian, and Isleños parade in St. Bernard Parish. Officially the St. Bernard Irish Italian Isleños Community Parade and Marching Club, this recognizes the community's Irish, Italian, and Isleños (the local descendants of Canary Island settlers) populations who reside in the area. The parade will roll on April 11 in Chalmette and will feature more than 50 floats.
