Here's what you need to know.
What does the parade start?
This year's parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, from 19th and Wynkoop streets, then heads down Wynkoop to Union Station, turns left on 17th Street, left again in two blocks on Blake Street (which has been renamed Tooley Street, after the late Denver district attorney), and ends at 27th Street.You can view the parade for free all along the route; find the map here.
How long does the parade last?
We'll let the organizers take this one: "We have been blessed with lots and lots of entries over the years! The parade’s length is determined by its forward motion. That motion is dependent on the number of entries, performance times, weather, and lack of technical difficulties! While the overall time of the event has changed, you can bet the parade will last about 4 hours."What's the best way to get to the parade route?
Owing to crowds, you should consider public transportation...or park on the outside of downtown and walk. The Coors Field parking garage will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 9 a.m.; it's at the end of the route. For more information, see the parking info page.
Who runs the parade?
The Denver St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is a not-for profit organization made up of over 300 volunteers that was founded in 1962. Today they say they have the biggest St. Patrick's Day west of the Mississippi. This year's grand marshal is Lisa Switzer, CEO and executive director at Western States Cancer Research NCORP and the current President of Irish Network Colorado.What's the history of the parade?
Denver's St. Patrick's Day festivities started in 1889 and continued until 1921; they included not just a parade, but a big ball with a thirty-piece orchestra. But that ended for "economic reasons," according to organizers, and the parade didn't return until 1962. As Bennito L. Kelty reported when Mayor Mike Johnston went to Ireland last May, the major impetus for the resurrection was Dublin Mayor Robert Briscoe's visit to Denver in 1962. His first visit to Denver in 1956 was an accident; his plane had to land here to check on a bomb threat. His second visit was intentional. When he arrived in Denver on April 17, 1962, Briscoe had already been touring the United States for two weeks, meeting with President John F. Kennedy and Native American leaders, doing interviews for radio shows and visiting such cities as Boston, New York and Los Angeles. When Briscoe arrived at Stapleton Airport, he was greeted by a welcoming committee led by Lieutenant Governor Bob Knous and Bernard Duffy, owner of Duffy's Shamrock Tavern. They took him to the Brown Palace Hotel to meet with local business and industry leaders, and then Briscoe enjoyed a long lunch at the nearby Duffy's.
A large group had piled into Duffy's to see the Irish mayor; after he finished his meal, Briscoe joined Duffy and the crowd for a march around the block; that's credited with bringing the parade back to life. By some people; there are other versions, too.
But it's undeniable that a parade committee formed after that and met at Duffy's to plan the first official revived parade, which took place on March 17, 1963.
What else is happening on St. Patrick's Day 2025?
Restaurants and bars are offering specials all over town. There are at least three official bar crawls, as well as a pet parade. Arvada and Aurora are also having St. Patrick's Day celebrations.For information on bar crawls: "Wild, Weird and Wonderful Things to Do in Denver This Weekend"
For information on the pet parade as well as events in Arvada and Aurora; "Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Weekend"
For where to raise a glass: "The Best Irish Bars for St. Patrick's Day Drinking in Denver"
Find more information: Go to the official St. Patrick's Day Parade organizational page.
