Downtown St. Louis is set to turn emerald on Saturday when the 57th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at noon along Market Street, bringing marching bands, floats, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. The downtown march has grown into a springtime staple, packing several blocks and turning the central business district into an all-day celebration.
Local station KSDK reports the event is expected to draw more than 250,000 spectators to downtown, a number that explains why the route fills in fast on parade day. As the city heads into the weekend, organizers and nearby businesses are preparing for heavy foot traffic across the downtown core.
Parade Route and Units
According to St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the procession begins at 8th and Market and proceeds west to 22nd and Market, stepping off at 12:00 p.m. The committee lists more than 120 units on the lineup and says the parade regularly features over 5,000 marchers, giant character balloons, Irish dancers, and marching bands.
Run and Pre‑parade Events
Per the official race site, the Michelob ULTRA St. Patrick’s Day Run kicks off downtown at 9 a.m. and draws roughly 5,000 runners who finish just ahead of the parade’s start, setting the tone for a full morning of festivities.
Expect Crowds and Plan Ahead
Local listings such as Explore St. Louis advise arriving early, using transit where possible and reviewing route maps before you go. For official route maps, volunteer sign-ups and the committee's FAQs, see the parade's site at St. Louis St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
