NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade 2023: Here's What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — Whether New Yorkers are "Erin go Bragh" or nah, they shouldn't depend on luck to prepare for the city's famed St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The annual parade starts at 11 a.m. Friday along its traditional Fifth Avenue route, which means joyous crowds, perhaps less-than-joyous packed trains, street closures and, most likely, at least a few sozzled would-be Irish.

The event is likely to live up to its reputation as the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world with about 150,000 people expected to march and about 2 million spectators to watch, hoot and holler, organizers said.

“Best views to those who show up early," the organizers' website tells spectators.

The Route

The 2023 parade's route runs along Fifth Avenue from East 44th Street in Midtown to East 79th Street on the Upper East Side.

Fair Warning

Spectator should maybe think twice about that second cup of coffee, there will be no portable restrooms along the Parade route.

Don't Ride Buzzed

For cheeky Gaelic sprites who plan to drink in transit: don't. Booze is banned from the subway, and on the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway from Friday at 5 a.m. til Saturday at 12 p.m.

Subway Changes

The subway's 4/5/6 trains along the Lexington Avenue Line will have station stops along the full parade route, officials said. Extra LIRR trains will also be running, they said.

Street Closures

Here are the streets along the route that will be closed, according to the city's Department of Transportation.

Parade Formation:

• Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 46th Street
• 43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 47th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 48th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue

Route:

• 5th Avenue between 79th Street and 42nd Street

Dispersal:

• 5th Avenue between 86th Street and 79th Street
• 79th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 80th Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 81st Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 82nd Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 83rd Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue

Miscellaneous

• 49th Street between Madison Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza
• 50th Street between Madison Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza
• 51st Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 53rd Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 58th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 63rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 65th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 70th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 71st Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Madison Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street

The Grand Marshal

This year's Grand Marshal is Kevin J. Conway, the vice chairman of global private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.