Throw Me Something, Paddy!
March in New Orleans
Mardi Gras 2026 is over but if you can never get enough beads and beer, you’re in luck, lads and lassies! St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and St. Joseph’s Day is right on its heels. Check ’em out!
Irish Channel Practice March, March 6
This annual practice March around Jackson Square is always a lot of fun. The shenanigans last from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more.
Gretna Irish Italian Parade, March 8
The City of Gretna’s Irish-Italian Heritage Parade & Events begins at Burmaster & Franklin Streets and ends at 4th Street & Huey P. Long Ave. Music & free beer while supplies last. Due to weather, the start time has been moved up to 11 a.m. See parade route.
Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 8
The 51st Annual Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade will roll through Olde Towne starting at 1:00 p.m. with Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser serving as Grand Marshal. The procession typically includes 50+ floats, marching bands, dance groups, horses, and various civic organizations. Along with beads and trinkets, riders famously throw “groceries” to make traditional Irish stew.
Old Metairie Irish Festival, March 13
On the Friday before the Metairie Road parade (see below), head down to Old Metairie Irish Festival, under the bridge at Causeway and Metairie Road. Last year, more than 3,000 people gathered for this event from 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Come meet the parade grand marshal Carl Wilt, his queen, the parade committee, and Jefferson Parish elected officials. There will be live music by Dead End and the Top Cats and plenty of food and drink.
Irish Channel Parade, March 14
The Irish Channel Parade starts around 1 p.m. The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Committee was organized in the Irish Channel in 1947 and is essential New Orleans experience. Throws will include beads, flowers, and the fixing for an Irish stew. See parade route.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Road, March 15
Since 1971, this parade has been taking to the streets of Old Metairie. This year, the spectacle begins at noon with 100 floats and trucks, bands, and marching clubs – not to mention all the cabbage, carrots, potatoes and beads you can catch. Loft18, located on the parade route, is throwing a St. Paddy’s Day Block Party starting at 9 a.m. with indoor seating, restroom access, music, food and beer. Learn more. View parade route.
Downtown Irish Club Parade, March 17
The Downtown Irish Club Parade starts on the corner of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater at 6:30 p.m. From there, it heads up Royal, then across Esplanade to Decatur, and up Canal to Bourbon Street. A great time is always had by all and that’s no blarney. See route.
Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade in Metairie, March 22
The Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade will roll at noon, on the traditional Veterans parade route in Metairie. See route.
Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade in the French Quarter,
March 28
Presented by the Italian American St Joseph’s Society for more than 50 years, this procession will take place in the French Quarter at 6 p.m. Come see beautifully decorated floats, the queen and her nearly 100 maids, and hundreds of Italian-Americans in tuxedos handing out green, white and red beads, silk flowers and blessed fava beans. View route.
Coming in April…St. Bernard Irish-Italian Islenos Parade, April 11
The St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Community Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 along the W. Judge Perez route in Chalmette. Come see more than 50 floats, 35 marching groups and 1,500 members throwing 350,000 pounds of produce! That’s a lot of cabbage, y’all! View route.
To learn more, visit stpatricksdayneworleans.com.
To find a hotel room, visit bestneworleanshotels.com.
