Photo by Johnny Cohen on Unsplash
New Orleans has plenty of Irish roots, so the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day (Monday, March 17, 2025) is an important one for the city of New Orleans. Several parades kick off, including the infamous Irish Channel Parade, where float riders pass cabbages to the screaming crowds. Also, the Downtown Irish Club Parade rolls from the Bywater to the French Quarter, making several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street.
Here’s what to expect during the festivities, including block parties, balcony parties, and, of course, parades.
St. Patrick’s Day Events in New Orleans
Parasol’s Block Party
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Parasol’s (2533 Constance St.) annual party Uptown features live music, food, easy parade access, and yes, green beer. It’s a popular party, so wear green and arrive early.
The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 15, 2025, 1 – 6 p.m.
The parade begins on the corner of Felicity and Magazine streets around 1 p.m. The parade rolls up Jackson Avenue, turning onto St. Charles Avenue, turning onto Louisiana Avenue, and back onto Magazine Street. Throws include green beads and doubloons, plus the makings of Irish stew (minus the beef). So watch out for flying cabbages (yes, seriously). There is also a block party located at Annunciation Square, near Chippewa and Race streets.
Germans Go Irish
Sunday, March 16, 2025, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Deutsches Haus (1700 Moss St.) in the Bayou St. John area of Mid-City is throwing a party to celebrate Ireland’s Patron Saint as they do in the small villages in the Old Country: with a Céilí (a gathering). Expect traditional Irish food like cabbage, soda bread, and Guinness beef stew served over colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes), plus Celtic musicians, Irish dancers, bagpipers, and other family-friendly activities. The event is free except for the concert which typically starts at 5:30 p.m. (You can get tickets online on the venue’s website or at the door).
Downtown Irish Club Annual Grand Marshall Party Bus
Monday, March 17, 2025, 1:30 – 4 p.m.
The club typically meets in a bar downtown (the 2025 route TBA) and heads out on a party bus for a “mobile bar crawl.” There are about five scheduled pub stops before the bus returns the revelers to the gathering spot. You don’t have to be a club member to ride, though you are asked to wear “traditional Irish colors, your parade tuxedo, or kilt for this ride.” The cost to march includes free Guinness at each stop and on the bus. You can reserve your seat on the club’s website.
Downtown Irish Club St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Monday, March 17, 2025, 7 p.m.
This annual parade begins on the corner of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater, then proceeds roughly up Royal Street, across Esplanade Avenue to Decatur Street, and up Canal Street to Bourbon Street. The parade makes several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street.
Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade in the French Quarter
Saturday, March 22, 2025, 6 p.m.
Yet another option, the St. Joseph’s Society celebrates St. Joseph with a parade through the French Quarter. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Convention Center Blvd. and Girod Street. It includes 16 floats, nine marching bands, and a whole lot of guys dressed in tuxedos.
Finally, there are parades in Metairie, Gretna, and St. Bernard Parish (the Irish Italian Islenos Parade). For a full list, please visit the New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day website.
As you can see, there’s plenty to see and do to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s not limited to Uptown or the French Quarter. Speaking of, check out our guide on how to spend St. Patrick’s Day without leaving the French Quarter, plus our list of highly recommended Irish pubs in the French Quarter.
Are you visiting New Orleans this spring?
Take advantage of Alder Hotel’s specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!
Also, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy spring!