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Forget New York: here’s why so many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade draws 300,000+ visitors each year. Here’s how the small Southern city transforms into one of USA’s biggest Irish celebrations.
New York is known for hosting the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the USA. But there’s a small city tucked away in the South that rivals the big-city spectacle…
Savannah, Georgia, has quietly been hosting one of the country’s greatest and most traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations since 1824.
With iconic traditions like green fountains, a multi-day citywide celebration, and a strong community feel, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is unlike anything you’ve seen.
With St. Patrick’s Day 2026 fast approaching, here’s why this charming Southern city might be the ultimate place to celebrate the biggest Irish holiday of the year.
Just how big is Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day?
Every St. Patrick’s Day, over 300,000 visitors flock to Savannah to watch one of the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the USA.
As Savannah is home to just under 150,000 residents, its population temporarily doubles (or even triples) around 17 March. This transforms the entire city into a community-driven celebration, from the historic downtown squares to the picturesque waterfront.
Along with 300,000+ spectators, Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade features around 350 marching units (bands, dance schools, floats, etc.), totalling about 15,000 parade participants.
While the numbers may be far fewer than New York’s parade, the city’s compact size makes Savannah’s celebrations both vibrant and intimate.
Here’s how it compares to other major US St. Patrick’s Day celebrations:
| City | Spectators | Marchers | 2026 Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 300,000–400,000 | 15,000 | 17 March |
| New York City, NY | 2 million | 150,000+ | 17 March |
| Chicago, IL | 400,000 | 30,000 | Saturday 14 March |
| Boston, MA | 300,000–500,000 | 15,000 | Sunday 15 March |
When is Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade?
Here are the key need-to-know details for the official St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah:
- Date: 17 March annually (in 2026 this falls on a Tuesday)
- Location: Downtown Savannah (starting at Gwinnett and Abercorn, then moving toward Broughton, East Broad, Bay, and Bull streets)
- Starting time: 10:15 am
- Duration: Approximately 3–4 hours
Aside from the parade, there are various other Shamrock celebrations throughout March in Savannah.
One key event is the Greening of the Fountain at Forsyth Park.
On 6 March, the water in the iconic Forsyth Park fountain gets dyed green to mark the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. This unique tradition dates back to the 1980s.
Other events that mark Ireland’s patron saint celebration include:
- Morning Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist on 17 March
- Celtic Cross Ceremony on 8 March
- The Shamrocks & Shenanigans riverside party from 13-17 March
With a “Green festival” spanning multiple weeks, Savannah is easily one of the best destinations to travel in March in the USA.
What happens during Savannah St. Patrick’s Day?
Spectators start arriving from as early as 6 am to get the best viewing spots in the historic squares.
Shortly after 10 am, the parade commences, starting near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The procession travels through the iconic squares of the Historic District before heading toward River Street, where crowds gather to enjoy views of the waterfront.
The parade features numerous marching bands, filling the streets with rousing bagpipes, drums, and brass instruments. There are also hundreds of Irish dancers wearing green, traditional costumes, along with decorated floats themed around Irish history or pop culture.
As the marching units pass through the streets, spectators cheer, wave Irish flags, and catch candy tossed from floats.
After the parade, the party continues with live Irish bands playing in Forsyth Park, River Street, and City Market, as well as in many of the city’s bars.
The pop-up food stalls on the riverfront and the downtown restaurants dish up classic Irish dishes, like corned beef and cabbage or Irish stew. And of course, you will find Guinness and green-tinted beer everywhere, as well as colourful Shamrock milkshakes.
What makes Savannah’s celebration unlike anywhere else
While many cities and countries celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, none do it quite like Savannah. Here’s what makes it so special:
- Community-centred feel: Many of the parade participants are locals. You’ll see floats from local civic organizations, including veterans’ groups, societies, and clubs, as well as the local police and fire departments, proudly marching or riding in their vehicles.
- Open container law: Savannah is one of the only US cities that allows you to stroll the streets with a beer in hand. Spectators are allowed to drink in public, provided alcohol is in a plastic, paper, or styrofoam cup. Note that you can only carry one drink at a time, up to 16 ounces.
- Citywide celebration: Savannah becomes a walkable playground of music, color, and energy, from green fountains to moss-draped streets and the sounds of pipe bands filling the air.
- Irish-Southern fusion: Savannah has a strong Irish heritage dating back to the 1700s, resulting in a unique blend of Lowcountry cuisine and Celtic pipe bands. This is something you won’t find anywhere else, even on St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
Can you still make Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day this year?
If you want to check out Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade this year, there’s still time to make plans.
As the parade is ticketless and free to attend, no pre-booking is required.
If you don’t want to stand for 4 hours or arrive super early to get a good spot, consider purchasing a bleacher seat. These elevated stands are installed along several sections of the parade route to provide spectators with better views and increased comfort.
Bleacher seats typically cost $40 to $55 per person and can be purchased on the official Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee website.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation at the last minute might be tricky as many hotels in the city center sell out months in advance. But don’t worry, as there are several nearby cities with more availability. Consider Charleston, Jacksonville (both 2 hours away), or Hilton Head (1 hour away).
Travel
Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day sees hundreds of thousands of visitors traveling from both the USA and overseas.
The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) has direct connections from major US hubs, including New York, Boston, and Chicago. The airport is a short 15–20-minute taxi or Uber ride to Downtown, where the festivities take place.
If you’re traveling by car, here’s how to plan your road trip. There are several road closures on 17 March for the parade, and parking in the city fills up fast. So if possible, arrive the day before the parade or very early in the morning.
If your accommodation is outside Savannah or you’re driving on the day, consider the city’s park-and-ride service. These organized shuttle services bring you from nearby towns like Richmond Hill and Tybee Island to Savannah Downtown, then back again at the end of the day.
To make your trip relaxed, we recommend the following itinerary:
| Mon 16 March | Arrival | Fly or drive into Savannah, check into your hotel, and explore River Street in the evening |
| Tue 17 March | Savannah | St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Forsyth Park celebrations, and River Street street party |
| Wed 18 March | Departure | Brunch and leisurely stroll through the historic squares, then head home |
Mark your calendar for Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day next year
If you can’t make it to Savannah this March, don’t lose hope, as Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day happens every year on 17 March.
If you’re planning to experience the annual parade in 2027, book your accommodation well in advance. Hotels in the historic district fill up as early as 3–6 months in advance, so set a reminder to start your trip planning in September 2026.
And why not turn the Irish festivities into a wider Southern road trip? With Tybee Island, Jekyll Island, and Charleston all within easy reach, the American South makes for one of the best USA weekend trips during the spring.
Stay connected during Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade with Holafly
It’s not just the streets that get crowded in Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day. The public Wi-Fi networks quickly become just as congested.
Having reliable mobile data will make the day far easier, helping you navigate road closures, order rides, or share the parade atmosphere on social media.
With a Holafly travel eSIM, you can activate fast, secure, unlimited data on your phone without swapping physical SIM cards. Simply install the eSIM before your trip and connect as soon as you land.
Check out the Holafly eSIM for the USA here.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
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Hey, I’m Mika! I’m an SEO specialist with 7+ years of experience and a passion for travel info that actually helps you explore smarter. I write travel guides and tips backed by SEO insights so you can spend less time searching and more time adventuring.
