St. Patrick's Day Parade 2022 In NYC: What To Know, How To Watch

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Break out your bagpipes and shamrocks: the St. Patrick's Day Parade is returning to Fifth Avenue this week after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

The beloved, 260-year-old procession was canceled in 2020 as COVID-19 swept the city, and was held remotely last year. But on Thursday, marching bands and throngs of onlookers will once again gather in Midtown and begin the stroll to the Upper East Side.

Here's what to know.

When and where will the parade start?

Festivities will begin with an 8:30 a.m. mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the cathedral's website.

The parade will then begin at 11 a.m. sharp at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and East 44th Street. The first marchers will include Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, marching bands from around the city and a slew of other public officials, according to a listed marching order.

The procession will continue up Fifth Avenue until 79th Street.

How can I watch, in-person or online?

To see the parade in-person, you can show up anywhere along the 35-block Fifth Avenue route. There's no specific time that spectators need to arrive, but if you want to stand as close to the parade as possible, "the earlier you get there, the better," according to the parade website.

Tickets to the grandstand seating had to be reserved by March 1. Also of note: there will be no portable restrooms along the parade route.

Of course, if you'd rather watch from the comfort of your home, that's an option: the official telecast will be aired on NBC New York, both on TV and its website. A livestream will also be available on the St. Patrick's Day Parade's YouTube channel.

The parade has never been canceled due to bad weather, according to organizers — an important fact, since Thursday's forecast calls for rain.

Which streets will be closed?

It would be wise to avoid driving into Midtown on Thursday, since dozen of street closures will e in effect during the parade. Here's the list:

• 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street
• Madison Avenue between 63rd Street and 64th Street
• Madison Ave between 78th Street and 86th Street
• 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
• 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 85th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue

For more information about the 2022 St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, visit the official event website.