What to expect for Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day celebration
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Jeeps on Grand Street in Pittsburgh's 2024 St. Patrick's Day parade. Photo: Courtesy of Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade
St. Patrick's Day parade officials say good weather could bring out massive crowds this weekend, and they want Pittsburghers to be prepared.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh has one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country — typically attracting about 300,000 people, according to Visit Pittsburgh — and reveling in the parade and other events kicks off the region's unofficial start to spring.
Driving the news: The city's Irish celebration is held on Saturday, centered on a morning parade that marches through Downtown.
- Parade committee member Mike McGeever tells Axios that if rain holds off until the afternoon, he expects crowds to hit over 500,000 people.
The forecast says temperatures will be in the 70s, but rain is likely in the morning with thunderstorms after 2pm.
🍀 What they're saying: "There is a large Irish contingency in Pittsburgh," McGeever said, noting that both his parents were born in Ireland. "The parade provides a real celebration for Downtown, like when the Steelers win the Super Bowl or Fourth of July at the Point."
- There are over 400,000 people of Irish descent in Pittsburgh, representing 16.5% of the region's population, according to census data.
Pro tip: McGeever said if you want a good viewing spot, arrive around 7am when the parade route streets start to shut down.
- Popular viewing locations include the portico of the City-County Building, and the corner of Grant Street and Boulevard of the Allies.
🏃 Zoom in: Early birds can enjoy a new event this year: The Parade Day Dash, a 5K and 1-mile family run that runs along the route before the parade.
- Market Square is designated family-friendly until 5pm this year, hosting games and entertainment for children.
If you go: The parade starts at 10am and usually ends around 2pm.
- It begins at the Greyhound station at Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, marches down Grant Street and takes a right on Boulevard of the Allies before dispersing after Stanwix Street.
- Staging stretches from the Greyhound station down Liberty to Old Saint Patrick's Church, the city's oldest Irish church, which also hosts Mass before the parade.
Parking: City-operated lots, including the Second Avenue Parking Plaza near the Allegheny County Jail, are a good place to park and a short walk to the parade route, said McGeever.
Or take the T: McGeever said riding light-rail to Downtown is a great way to avoid traffic.
- Rides are free from the North Shore, so drivers can park there and then take the subway over.
🍺 Revelers looking for green beer should head to Carson Street in the South Side after the parade.
- Other popular Irish pubs across the city include Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle in the Strip District, Cork Harbour Pub in Lawrenceville, Monterey Pub in the North Side, and Murphy's Taproom in Regent Square.