New York City is gearing up for one of its most beloved annual traditions – the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. As the oldest and largest parade of its kind globally, the NYC St. Patrick’s Day celebration draws massive crowds to the streets of Manhattan every year. Here’s everything you need to know about catching the 2024 parade action live.
When and Where to Watch
The 263rd edition of New York’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off at 11 am on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. The date is strategically chosen as the day before the St. Patrick’s Day holiday itself to allow for religious observances on Sunday.
The massive parade procession will make its way up Fifth Avenue, starting at 44th Street and continuing all the way up to 79th Street. Spectators are urged to line the route as early as possible to secure prime viewing spots. Past years have seen some of the best vantage points along Fifth Avenue between 48th and 55th Streets.
For those unable to attend in person, the entire four-hour extravaganza will be broadcast live on NBC 4 New York. The parade will also be streamed on the NBC New York website, as well as on Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, and the parade’s official website.
The Live Broadcast Team
Gus Rosendale and Sarah Wallace from NBC 4 New York will anchor the live parade coverage. They’ll be joined by special guests Treasa Goodwin-Smyth from Ireland Calls Radio Show and former ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth, providing expert insights.
Leading the Parade
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal is Margaret C. Timoney, the CEO of Heineken USA. Timoney, an alumna of Iona University in New Rochelle, will lead the procession of around 150,000 marchers.
The marching contingents will include a host of state and city officials like Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams. They’ll be accompanied by the iconic NYPD Emerald Society pipe and drum band.
Dozens of high school and college bands from the area will also take part, including the acclaimed Xaverian High School Pipe and Drum Corps from Brooklyn. Representatives from Irish institutions like Aer Lingus and the Port Authority police will march as well.
A Century-Spanning Tradition
Organizers say the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade has weathered immense challenges over its 263-year history, persevering through the American Revolution, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This parade that started in 1762 has survived a war of revolution, World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, and the pandemics of 1918 and 2020,” remarked Hilary Beirne, a founding chairman of the parade’s foundation, in an interview with NBC.
With around 2 million spectators expected to line the route, the 2024 celebration will undoubtedly continue that resilient legacy. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a point of immense pride for the Irish-American community and a spectacle anticipated by the entire city every year.
So get ready, New York! This Saturday’s parade promises to be an unparalleled display of Irish culture, music, and pride marching through the streets in a tradition over two centuries strong.
A worldwide audience will be watching, but there’s no substitution for experiencing the magic in person. Stake out your spot along Fifth Avenue early for the ultimate front-row seat to NYC’s most iconic March tradition.
