St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2018: Your Need-to-Know Guide

Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers /iStock.

Philadelphia’s 248th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off this Sunday, March 11th, at 11:15 a.m. sharp, rain or shine. The grand marshal is Sister Mary Scullion, a Catholic nun who was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2009. Keeping with tradition, a commemorative parade Mass will be held at Saint Patrick’s Church (20th and Locust streets) at 9:15 a.m. to start the celebration in a way that only the Irish would.

Just remember, the Philadelphia Police Department is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on public drunkenness, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, and public urination.

Other than that, here’s a handy little guide to everything else you’ll need to know to get your Irish up this weekend:

Route

This year’s parade route begins at the staging area on 16th and JFK. The procession will head east down Market Street through Independence Mall before finishing at Penn’s Landing. The performing area and main grandstand is located at 5th and Market.

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed starting at 5:30 a.m until approximately 4:00 p.m.:

• Market Street between 6th Street and 5th Street

The following streets will be closed starting at 9:00 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m.:

• John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 20th Street and 15th Street
• 20th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 19th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 18th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 17th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 16th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 15th Street between Market Street and Arch Street

The following streets will be closed starting at 10:00 a.m. (or earlier, depending on traffic conditions) until approximately 3:30 a.m.:

• North Penn Square between 15th Street and Juniper Street
• East Penn Square between John F. Kennedy Blvd. and Market Street
• Market Street between East Penn Square and Front Street
• All cross streets on Market Street from 13th Street to Front Street, from Chestnut Street to Arch Street
• Front Street between Market Street and Chestnut Street

Parking Restrictions

The following streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones during the course of the parade:

• 1500-2000 block of John F. Kennedy Boulevard
• 5th Street between Chestnut Street to Market Street
• 6th Street between Chestnut Street to Race Street
• Race Street between 5th Street and 6th Street

Prohibited Items

• Weapons and contraband of any kind (regardless of permitting — right-to-carry permits will not be honored and weapons will be confiscated)
• Fireworks or explosives
• Illegal or illicit substances of any kind
• Alcohol beverages (the open container law will be strictly enforced)
• Skateboards, motorized vehicles or scooters (excluding motorized wheelchairs or similar equipment)
• Laser pointers
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and drones of any kind

Parade Line of March

To see all of the participants in this year’s parade and the order in which they will march, click here.

Awards

A full list of the awards that will be given out at the parade and their descriptions can be found here.

Parade Theme

“St. Patrick, Bless Those Who Respond to the Call of the Needy.”

TV

Fox29 will broadcast the parade from noon to 3 p.m. if you feel like staying home on Sunday.

Weather

The National Weather Service forecast is a high of 45 degrees and mostly sunny.