Millions of spectators gathered in Midtown Manhattan on March 17, 2025, to celebrate Irish culture and heritage at New York City’s 264th St. Patrick’s Day parade. This year, around 150,000 participants took part in the spirited march down Fifth Avenue, which showcased a diverse lineup that included the Fire Department of the City of New York, school bands, and various heritage societies.
The atmosphere was electric, as a sea of green filled the streets, with families and friends enthusiastically cheering from behind barricades. Along with the lively crowd, the sounds of bagpipes and bands blended to create an energetic symphony that resonated throughout the city.
Supporting their loved ones, families and friends of the parade participants displayed spirited signs and cheered loudly, contributing to the celebratory mood. As the parade progressed, the excitement grew, but it started to quiet down as it traveled through the Upper East Side, concluding with a turn onto 79th Street. But the marchers weren’t the only ones feeling the spirit— spectators were seen snapping photos and singing along to various Irish tunes.
Meanwhile, near the Worth Public Library, a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration took place the same day. This event featured the local acoustic trio Georgia Moon, who entertained the community by performing beloved Irish songs while sharing the history behind them. Library-goers were treated to music inspired by renowned Irish artists, including Van Morrison and Sinéad O’Connor, while also learning the stories connected to the songs.
“Songs have a way of bringing us back to certain times in our lives or the memories that we have made. Why not add a little bit of history to go along with the song?” remarked Jeanine Kelly, one of the singers in Georgia Moon.
Across the street from the library, festivities continued at the Stadium Club, where an adult-only event featured appetizers and an Irish-themed trivia contest attended by many eager participants. The band’s return to the library was particularly meaningful, as their first official performance had also taken place there last year.
The Worth Library Programming Coordinator, Audrey Dambek, emphasized the importance of events like these in bringing communities together. “Festivals and celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day provide opportunities for people to come together, share experiences, and strengthen community bonds,” she said, stating that “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.”
In Morristown, another St. Patrick's Day parade took place on March 15, 2025. This year marked a significant milestone, as it was reported that zero arrests were made during the event, a welcoming contrast to previous years of high activity related to public intoxication. An estimated crowd of about 60,000 filled the streets, celebrating what has now been dubbed a family-friendly tradition.
Mayor Tim Dougherty expressed pride over the peaceful nature of this year’s event, attributing it to a shift in community respect and spirit. “Our St. Patrick’s Day Parade last weekend was fantastic as usual. I’m especially proud that we saw no arrests - continuing the positive trend of recent years,” he stated.
In Utica, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was described as a “resounding success,” as it drew thousands of attendees and remained incident-free, with officials praising the strong cooperation between event organizers and public safety teams.
Meanwhile, Dublin City Council ensured that the streets were clean after their St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations by assigning over 440 waste management staff to keep up with the clean-up efforts. They managed to empty 684 waste bins while collecting between 30 and 40 tonnes of waste throughout the busy weekend festivities.
At the same time, the annual Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set to return on March 23, 2025, in its 49th year. Residents are excited to see bands, Irish step dancers, and civic groups participating. Rev. Richard Murphy, a well-respected chaplain, will serve as the grand marshal this year, further highlighting the community’s Irish heritage.
The parade is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. from Greenwich Town Hall and will feature multiple road closures throughout the downtown area beginning at 1:30 p.m. Parking restrictions will also be enforced, with no parking allowed on designated streets starting at 10 a.m. to ensure the event runs smoothly.
As parades and celebrations unfolded across various cities, they served as a remarkable reminder of unity, community spirit, and the rich cultural tapestry tied to St. Patrick’s Day. Families intertwined their own memories within the colorful traditions, ensuring that the legacy of Irish heritage would continue for generations to come.
