NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade 2024: Route, Street Closures And More

NEW YORK CITY — The day when all of New York City is a little bit Irish is here.

The 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade kicks off Saturday at 11 a.m. for its annual march up Fifth Avenue.

The parade is actually being held a day before St. Patrick's Day — which is Sunday — so Irish and would-be Irish alike can observe the Sabbath, organizers said.

But New Yorkers can expect the usual revelry: crowds, bagpipes, Irish flags, packed trains, street closures and free-flowing alcohol.

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.

"Spectators can begin lining up along 5th Avenue as early as they would like," the event's website states.

It adds: "Best views to those who show up early."

Here's what lucky New Yorkers need to know.

The Route

The parade will march along Fifth Avenue starting at 44th Street and end at 79th Street.

Warning For When Nature Calls

Don't expect to see a portable restroom after you had one too many Guinness pints. The NYPD has ordered no portable potties.

Boozing On Trains: Don't

The best way to get to the parade is by public transit, MTA officials said. But it's not the best way to pre-game Gaelic gaiety.

Booze is banned from the subway, as always. The Long Island Rail Road will ban alcohol on all trains and station from midnight Saturday through Monday at 5 a.m. Metro-North Railroad will ban booze all day Saturday.

Subway Service

The Lexington Avenue 4, 5 and 6 lines will cover the entire parade route, and will be the best way to get to the event, MTA officials said. Straphangers can take the train straight to Fifth Avenue at the Fifth Avenue/53rd Street E and F station, they said.

Not all subway lines will be running.

N trains won't run between Queens and Manhattan, nor will 7 trains, according to the MTA.

Street Closures

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

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 83rd Street and 43rd 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 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

Margaret C. "Maggie" Timoney is this year's Grand Marshal. She's president and CEO of Heineken USA.