Montreal is gearing up for a historic celebration as the city marks the 200th anniversary of its St. Patrick's Day Parade this Sunday, March 16, 2025. With half a million people expected to attend, the festivities will commence at noon along De Maisonneuve Boulevard, showcasing the rich Irish heritage and the community spirit of Montreal.
"We’re looking forward to celebrating with everyone," said Madison Lalonde, one of the princesses of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s parade theme is "Emerald Connections, 200 Years of Unity and Community," as announced by Lori Morrison, President of the United Irish Societies of Montreal. Morrison emphasized the importance of community, stating, "Community is something that's so important to the Irish people." Indeed, this theme celebrates the long-standing connections forged through generations of Irish culture and traditions.
The parade, which began on Saint-Paul Street back in 1824, is reportedly one of the oldest of its kind, even predates Dublin's famed festivities. This monumental milestone reflects the significant role the Irish community played during Montreal's development, particularly when they were the city’s second-largest ethnocultural group at the end of the 19th century. "We’re celebrating the Canadian Irish aspect of all many generations who built Canada and helped build Montreal," explained Danny Doyle, the Grand Marshall of this year’s parade.
On Friday, March 14, officials along with the parade queen and princesses gathered at the Lord William Pub in Griffintown to kick off celebrations early. Amanda Keeting, the Queen of the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, shared her excitement: "I feel like we’re part of Montreal’s history and I feel like Montreal is coming together to celebrate this history." She expressed eagerness to see the parade from the perspective of the crowd, saying, "I’m excited to see the kids’ faces because I’ve never been on the side where I could see the spectators." This connection to youth and the future generation, as emphasized by fellow princess Bernice Djaballah, highlights the role models these representatives play for young girls as they don their tiaras and capes. "We’re here to represent our community and to be role models for younger girls who might find it easier to find us in the crowns and capes," Djaballah remarked.
This year’s parade will feature over 120 groups from various communities and approximately 5,000 participants, making it one of the biggest celebrations to date. The mixture of performers, floats, and marching bands promises to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for both participants and spectators. The preparations highlight not only Irish heritage but also underline the unifying power of the event, showcasing Montreal’s mosaic of cultures. "It really does bring together the community," said Alexia Brausewetter-Day, another princess of the 2025 parade. "Even though we’re not all Irish, on St. Patrick’s Day, we all unite."
To accommodate the expected turnout, city officials have warned of various road closures along the parade route. Beginning at 10:30 am, streets including sections of Clark, Jeanne-Mance, and de Maisonneuve will be closed until approximately 3:30 pm. This will help to facilitate the movement of the parade and the safety of participants and onlookers alike, so attendees are encouraged to use public transit to avoid congestion.
From early arrivals expected to secure prime viewing spots to families dressing their best in green, the parade reflects not just the joy of the Irish tradition but also the shared spirit of Montrealers coming together. The importance of preserving this celebration, as noted by Morrison, is central to the identity of Montreal's Irish community. "It’s very important to us, those of Irish heritage, to preserve this tradition," she stated, emphasizing how integral these annual festivities are to maintaining cultural connections.
With the world watching, Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be both a nostalgic look back over two centuries and a vibrant celebration of community spirit moving forward. Followers of all ages will gather to honor the city's legacy and the impact of its Irish roots, culminating this joyful occasion on Sunday.
Attendees are reminded to plan their day accordingly to fully embrace this monumental celebration. March weather can be unpredictable, so dressing warmly and arriving early will greatly improve the parade experience. The consistent thread of unity and community witnessed over the last 200 years will surely shine through once again, solidifying Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade as not just a celebration but as a pivotal event for all to share, together.