St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in NYC 2023

This Friday, March 17, 2023 get ready to join revelers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. The festivities mark the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish have long observed March 17th as a religious holiday. The tradition continues on, across much of the globe, but it’s hardly a religious affair. It is, however, the one day of the year that everyone seems to have a bit of Irish in them, as the day is celebrated across cultures and ethnic backgrounds. The city welcomes the fun with open arms, celebrating its Irish connection.

We’ve compiled a New York list of great ways to celebrate the saint that drove the snakes out of Ireland.

The big event of St. Patrick’s Day in New York is, of course, its legendary parade. In the mid-nineteenth century, several New York Irish Aid societies combined their parades into one, which has become the official New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Parade is one of the oldest civilian parades and the largest in the U.S. Almost 3 million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the floats, listen to the bagpipes and marching bands, and celebrate Irish history and culture. The full-day event begins with mass at the historic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral at 8:30 am (tickets required) and the parade officially starts at 11 am and goes until 5 pm. You can view the parade along 5th Avenue between 44th Street and 79th Street. Spectators can begin lining up early, so for the best views, get to 5th Avenue well ahead of the parade start.

Friday, March 17, 2023 11 am onwards

5th Avenue between 44th Street and 79th Street

Visit the Tenement Museum located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a look into life as an immigrant (from Ireland and elsewhere) in New York City in the 19th century. The Tenement Museum has recreated the homes of those who once lived at this Orchard Street address between the 1860s and the 1980s. It’s a sobering look at poverty and cramped conditions, as well as a moving way to understand the spirit of survival and self-betterment that is part of the modern celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in NYC. The museum also offers historical walking tours, tenement apartment tours and the opportunity to explore themes of migration and immigration through various activities and events.

103 Orchard Street

New York, NY 10002

1-877-975-3786

To really immerse yourself in all things Irish, stop by The Irish Arts Center’s open house on Sunday, March 19, at noon. Treat yourself to authentic music, dances, crafts and live piano karaoke sing-alongs of Ireland and Irish-American hits. Also on hand will be World Irish Dance Champion Tyler Shwartz. Schwartz will perform and offer a group dance lesson. Additional events include a short film that blends Irish storytelling with visual art, puppetry and original music. The event is free.

Sunday, March 19, 2023; 12pm

Irish Arts Center

726 11th Avenue

New York, NY

This St. Patrick’s Day, Carnegie Hall will welcome the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. The visiting youth orchestra will treat spectators to an event titled “Ancora,” an exciting mix of Celtic music rooted in both the Irish and Ulster Scots traditions. The symphony orchestra is powered by young musicians from both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Cross Border Orchestra is highly regarded as a world-class musical and educational project, as it was formed from the Peace Initiative Process in 1995. Click here for more information on tickets for Friday’s performance.

Friday, March 17, 2023; 7 pm

Carnegie Hall

881 Seventh Ave

New York, NY 10019

If you love good storytelling and Irish American history, you won’t want to miss joining in on a tour of the Irish Mob of Hell’s Kitchen. On this memorable tour, you’ll explore the city’s organized crime history by ambling along the streets and visiting the establishments where infamous Irish gangsters did “business”. Irish organized crime was an on- going concern in New York City, as late as the 1980s when the police broke up the street gang known as the Westies. Many of the homes and workplaces of the gangsters are still standing and will be visited on the tour. Tours are Saturday evenings at 6pm, more information can be found on the Hidden New York Tours website.

St. Patrick’s Day in America has long been associated with a pint or two. To celebrate, why not visit one of the oldest Irish pubs in all of New York? McSorley’s no-nonsense Ale House has been in business since 1854 with just two types of ale and a floor of sawdust for easy cleanup. What it lacks in variety, it makes up for in Irish charm. The bar’s website has a full history of the long-standing Irish bar with plenty of fun photos and is worth a read. Come prepared, this bar is cash only.

15 East 7th Street

New York, NY 10003

https://mcsorleysoldalehouse.nyc/

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Our rooms are spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.

*Due to Covid-19 our restaurant, cafe and gym will remain closed for a time.