St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans is a celebration of the city’s rich multicultural history, which includes a strong Irish presence. Irish immigrants first came to New Orleans in the late 18th century; the city was an apt place for Irish newcomers because of its strong Catholic traditions and the shared anti-British sentiments of French and Spanish residents. The Irish immigrants integrated quickly, and by 1806 they celebrated their first St. Patrick’s Day.

st patricks parade

Unique throws like moon pies and cabbages are part of the New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day tradition. (Photo courtesy Derek Bridges on Flickr)

Since then, St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans has evolved into one of the highlights of spring festival season: a multi-day affair full of parades and music. Throughout the city you will find extravagant St. Patrick’s Day celebrations featuring an array of green costumes, beads and flowers.

Like other celebrations and holidays, St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans is different than the rest of the country. In New Orleans, we love to celebrate with Mardi Gras-style parades, big block parties and tons of fun and unique costumes. The Irish Channel Parade runs through Uptown New Orleans and is welcomed by a block party on famous Magazine Street. If you’ve never spent St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans, you should definitely put it on your bucket list!

Though many of the activities take place Uptown in the Irish Channel, there are several St. Patrick’s Day events held in the French Quarter within walking distance of Bienville House. Take a look at some of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans:

[bctt tweet=”Celebrate #stpatricksday in the #frenchquarter with us!”]

Molly’s at the Market Irish Parade

Celebrate by sipping on a frozen Irish coffee from Molly’s at the Market (1107 Decatur St.) as they host their annual Irish Parade at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017. You’ll see riders in carriages and floats intermingled with marching groups as they make a full circle around the French Quarter beginning and ending at Molly’s.

Like any good New Orleans parade, this one will include throws – get ready to catch edible items like cabbages, potatoes, carrots, onions, and Moon Pies plus more conventional treasures like beads and flowers.

Downtown Irish Club Parade

St. Patrick’s Day itself will have another parade, this time held by the Downtown Irish Club. The parade, also on Friday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m., starts in the Bywater neighborhood, at the corner of Burgundy and Piety streets and heads through the French Quarter, making more than a few “pit stops” before disbanding where Bourbon Street meets Orleans Ave.

Irish Channel Parade

The weekend prior to St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Channel neighborhood celebrates their heritage with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Channel Parade on Saturday, March 11 at 1:30 p.m. The whole neighborhood will be filled with festivities, as local bars Tracey’s and Parasol’s host all-day block parties on both Saturday, March 11 and  Friday, March 17.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Us!

Conveniently, our French Quarter location provides the perfect departure for all of the St. Patrick’s day activities in New Orleans. You can catch parades throughout the city as well as parties at various locations.

Book your room today and join us in the French Quarter this St. Patrick’s Day. Oh, and don’t forget to pack something green to wear!