when does the st patrick's day parade start

The St Patrick’s Day parade doesn’t have one universal start time – it depends on the city and year – but most major 2026 parades begin late morning, typically between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Below is a quick guide for 2026 parade start times in some big cities:

[3][7] [1] [4] [5] [9]

City (2026)	Parade date	Start time	Notes
Dublin	17 March 2026	12:00 p.m.	National St Patrick’s Day Parade, starts at Parnell Square and runs through the city centre.
Boston (South Boston)	15 March 2026	11:30 a.m.	Start time moved earlier from 1 p.m. to reduce rowdy behaviour.
San Francisco	14 March 2026	11:30 a.m.	Parade along Market Street to Civic Center Plaza.
London	15 March 2026	12:00 p.m.	Parade starts at Hyde Park and passes Trafalgar Square.
Galway	17 March 2026	11:30 a.m.	Through Galway city centre, about an hour long.

Because you didn’t specify a city, you’ll need to check your **local** St Patrick’s Day parade listing for the exact start time for your area, but using the pattern above you can safely assume it’s likely around late morning to noon.

TL;DR: When does the St Patrick’s Day parade start? Usually late morning. In 2026, big parades like Dublin and London start at 12:00 p.m., while Boston, San Francisco, and Galway step off around 11:30 a.m., but your local event may differ.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.