Everything about St. Patrick’s Day in the city is a big deal. From the tens of thousands of people marching to the hundreds of thousands watching.

You’re sure to find parade-goers dressed in every shade of green imaginable.

“It symbolizes everything about St Patrick’s Day. A celebration and a good time for the Irish,” said Jim Kain, who was draped in the Irish flag while donning a green wig.

What You Need To Know

  • Friday was the 262nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the Archdiocese of New York

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell were among the dignitaries who marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

  • Tens of thousands of people marched in the parade while more than a million spectators are estimated to have watched the festivities

For more than 20 years, Kaine, his wife Karen and their son Damon, have traveled from their southern New Jersey home to New York’s St. Patty’s Day parade. Unlike some kids Damon — who was dressed as a leprechaun — said he enjoys hanging out with his parents.

“They just like to go with the flow of everything and dress up and be part of the excitement. They’re not boring,” he said.

The Kaine family enjoys watching the NYPD, the FDNY, the Army National Guard, the bands and many more parade participants make their way up Fifth Avenue.

Parade-goers at Friday’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade also saw dignitaries, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

It’s not uncommon to find families like the Kaines who’ve made the parade a family tradition.

“Always, always,” said Mary Fitzmorris. “It’s a tradition every year.”

“And we’ve been coming since we were kids,” said Mary’s daughter Colleen,Colleen, who was accompanied by her childhood friends. “My mom used to take us out of school early and we would come to the parade.”

Friday was the 262nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade honoring St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the Archdiocese of New York.

The city shut down right before the 2020 parade making there the first one canceled due to the pandemic. Festivities were virtual in 2021, again due to COVID-19. The parade returned in person last year and this year the tradition continues.

For some, however, it’s less about tradition and more about the moment.

“For me,me, it’s been the first time I’ve come in a long time,” said Terri Goodwin.  

“This is my first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 40 years,” said Goodwin’s friend, Carlos Odeja.

There are also plenty of our-of-towners, such as Alana Henry from St. Louis who was celebrating her birthday.

“I’m 13,” she said.

Even when the parade is over, the celebration continues.

“We would probably just jump from little tavern to little tavern,” Kaine said.