San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival is Back in Balboa Park
Green outfits, Irish music, and a full day in Balboa Park – San Diego’s 44th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival is ready to take over the streets once again.
Presented by the Irish Congress of Southern California, this beloved tradition brings the community together to celebrate Irish heritage with a lively parade and a family-friendly festival that keeps the energy going all day.
A Theme That Connects Generations
This year’s theme, “Here, There, Irish Culture Everywhere!”, highlights the global spirit of Irish culture – from the hills of Ireland to our own sunny San Diego neighborhoods.
It is a celebration of music, dance, storytelling, and traditions that have traveled across generations and continents. Whether you have Irish roots or just love a good excuse to wear green, this is a day to lean in and be part of something joyful and community-driven.
The Parade Through Bankers Hill
The parade kicks off at Fifth Avenue and Laurel Street, then makes its way up to Upas, crosses over to Sixth Avenue, and heads back down to Laurel where the festival awaits.
Expect floats, Irish dancers, bands, and local dignitaries filling the route with color and movement. It is free to watch and always draws a lively crowd, so grabbing a spot along the route early is part of the fun.
The Festival in Balboa Park
Once the parade wraps, the celebration continues nearby in Balboa Park with a full Irish festival.
Roam through craft and vendor booths, grab classic Irish fare from the food stands, and catch live performances across two stages featuring Irish music and dance throughout the day. There will also be a dedicated kids’ zone, making it easy to turn this into a full family outing.
Adult beverages will be available for those 21 and over, and you can purchase festival entry tickets along with beer tickets in advance. Entry to the festival is $10 for adults 21 and over. Anyone under 21 gets in free, and active duty military with valid ID receive free admission as well.
It is the kind of day where you can wander, snack, listen to live music, and run into friends – all with Balboa Park as your backdrop.
See you there!
There is nothing like a full day of music, culture, and community in Balboa Park. We will see you along the parade route and at the festival.
📆 Saturday, March 14, 2026, 9 AM – 6 PM | Parade starts at 10:30 AM
📍 2503 Sixth Avenue, San Diego
🎟️ Get tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
