BY: Adal Hussain , Chief Editor for World Liberty TV, 44th St & 5th Ave NYC 03/17/26
The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The first parade was held on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The parade is held annually on March 17th at precisely 11:00 AM in honor of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and of the Archdiocese of New York.
The parade route goes up Fifth Avenue beginning at East 44th Street and ending at East 79th Street. Approximately 150,000 people march in the parade which draws about 2 million spectators.
From its earliest days, right up to the present, the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade has been run entirely by volunteers, many of whom come from generations of families dedicated to the organization of the parade.
It takes months of preparation and countless hours to run the world’s oldest and largest parade. We could not do it without the commitment of these great women and men.
The NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.When March 17 falls on a Sunday, the Parade is held on March 16 for religious observances.
This year’s grand marshal was Bob McCann, co-chair of NewEdge Capital Group and owner of Forest Creek Golf Club in North Carolina.
McCann, whose ancestors hail from County Armagh on the Emerald Isle, was plucked to lead the event because of his three decades of service as a board member of New York City’s Irish Arts Center, where he advocates for a strengthened cultural and civic relationship between Ireland and the US.
“This parade is made up of the counties of Ireland that are here in America, all 32 are here,” said President Kathleen Keegan Mattessich, 79. “This parade is heritage. We’re representing our country here and there in Ireland.”
Politicians and dignitaries, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, marched up Fifth Avenue, waving to onlookers before making their traditional stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Outside the cathedral, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks beamed as he greeted dignitaries during his first parade appearance.
Close to 2 million people were watching and 150 thousand marching from the USA and Ireland. See more coverage of 265th NYC ST Patrick’s Day Parade March 17th 2026, in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels by clicking here.
