SF St. Patrick's Day Parade Returns

The 2026 parade marks a significant milestone, celebrating 175 years of this tradition in San Francisco, which dates back to 1852. This makes it one of the oldest continuously-running St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States. For perspective, the first recorded St. Patrick's Day parade in the world was in New York City in 1762. This year's theme is "Happy 250th America — You Are Great," which commemorates the 250th birthday of the United States and celebrates the enduring friendship between Ireland and the U.S. The parade is organized by the United Irish Societies of San Francisco, continuing a long history of Irish civic participation in the city. In the 1880s, the Irish population in San Francisco had grown to 30,000, representing over a third of the city's population at the time. Leading the celebration as Grand Marshals will be Pat and Buffy Maguire, the owners of Java Beach Café & Lady Falcon Coffee. The parade will feature a vibrant procession of floats, marching bands, pipe bands, and traditional Irish dancers. The parade is the centerpiece of a full day of festivities. Following the parade, the Unite SF Festival will take place at Civic Center Plaza from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, featuring live Irish music, dancing, and cultural performances. New for 2026 is a Youth Sports Day, also held at Civic Center Plaza. This event will showcase traditional Irish sports like Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie, alongside rugby and soccer, for children aged 6–15. The parade begins at 11:30 AM and will proceed down Market Street, concluding at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall. The event is free and open to the public, and it is known for its family-friendly and community-centered atmosphere. The celebration is the largest Irish event on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 spectators each year.