Scranton St. Patrick's Parade

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Carnival & ParadeScranton
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesWhat sets this parade apart is sheer
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Scranton St. Patrick's Parade in Scranton

The Scranton St. Patrick's Parade marches through downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. First held in 1862 and organized by the St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County, it ranks among the largest Irish parades in the United States by attendance and holds the distinction of being the largest per capita, a fitting scale for a city where Irish ancestry outnumbers every other heritage group.

Its scale and regional identity make it one of Pennsylvania's strongest parade rows.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets this parade apart is sheer density: more than 8,000 marchers file down Scranton's streets, and crowds have topped 150,000 in a city of roughly 75,000 residents, giving it an outsized per-capita turnout that organizers and local press cite as the largest of any Saint Patrick's Day parade in the nation relative to population

02

The mystery stays covered

The lineup blends bagpipe corps, high school marching bands, floats, and dozens of Irish heritage and fraternal groups, anchored by the Scranton area's long Irish immigrant history tied to the anthracite coal industry

03

The city starts moving

Because Scranton's largest single ancestry group is Irish, the parade reads less like a novelty celebration and more like a genuine community homecoming, drawing marchers and spectators from Irish families with generations-deep roots in Lackawanna County alongside visitors from across the Northeast

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The parade is organized every year by the St

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County

The sacred route

Living ritual

a nonprofit built around the region's Irish American community

The local code

Living ritual

and it continues a lineage that traces back to 1862

Tradition 5

Living ritual

making it one of the longest-running Irish celebrations in the country

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Bagpipe bands and heritage marching societies are a fixture

Tradition 7

Living ritual

reflecting the coal-region Irish social clubs that have supported the parade for generations

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Downtown Scranton street closures matter.

What to wear

Dress warmly in layers, since mid-March in Northeastern Pennsylvania is still cold and often damp or snowy; waterproof boots and a heavy coat matter more than a light jacket. Wearing green...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

Scranton

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.41 N, 75.66 WOpen in Google Maps

Scranton, PA

TransportDowntown Scranton street closures matter.
Stay areaScranton

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Scranton via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Scranton, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearDress warmly in layers, since mid-March in Northeastern Pennsylvania is still cold and often damp or snowy; waterproof boots and a heavy coat matter more than a light jacket. Wearing green is a near-universal custom among spectators, and many marchers wear kilts, band uniforms, or Irish heritage regalia.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Scranton St. Patrick's Parade?

Scranton St. Patrick's Parade is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Scranton St. Patrick's Parade take place?

The festival is listed in Scranton, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Scranton, PA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLstpatparade.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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