Update: Sunday, 100,000+ Spectators Expected At Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade

NEW HAVEN, CT — The Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade, designated the sixth oldest in the nation by the Library of Congress, steps off Sunday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m.

Described as one of the city's and state's most celebrated annual cultural events with nearly 150 parade units, thousands of parade participants, and more 100,000 attendees.

Mayor Justin Elicker, the police and fire chiefs, Parade Chairman Michael dePascale, Parade Grand Marshal Fiona Stewart Jimenez shared details on the parade and festivities.

Parade Chairman Michael dePascale said the parade is a "crown jewel."

He noted that it's when "everybody celebrates together."

"It's not just an Irish event. It's a diverse event," he said. "A special day in New Haven."

The basics:

The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Sherman Avenue and Chapel Street and continues on Chapel Street toward the Green. The route turns left onto Church Street, down to Elm Street, and disperses at Orange Street.

The route is 1.3 miles and is expected to last around three hours.

There will be myriad no-parking areas, street closures, and traffic delays may begin as early as 11 a.m. Sunday.

Check here for more information on parking bans and street closures.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited. No alcoholic beverages are to be consumed or carried along the parade route, or in the staging/assembly area, by spectators or participants in the parade. The City of New Haven Police Department will enforce penalties for disorderly conduct and alcohol violations.

What about public safety

Public drinking is prohibited. All city downtown bars will close from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mayor Elicker said, "to make sure people behave.

"If people drink in public, or come here to cause problems, you will be held accountable," said New Haven Chief of Police David Zanelli. "So come, have a good time, and be safe."

Zanelli said that the event is a "full call," with 200 officers, plainclothed and uniformed.

New Haven Fire Department Chief Daniel Coughlin said the fire department will provide EMS and fire coverage, and with AMR, will have six separate EMS crews. There will also be two additional command officers. First responders in UTVs will be on and around the parade route.

Coughlin also pointed out that firefighters look forward to marching in the parade, so parade-goers should make a lot of noise as they come by.

About the Family Fun Zone

Presented by the Town Green District in partnership with the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the pre-parade Family Fun Zone.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Elm Street in front of the New Haven Free Public Library. Expect free family entertainment, kids' activities, food trucks, tables and seating, family restrooms with changing tables, and a stroller viewing zone at Church Street.

About transportation and parking:

Public Transportation - Trains

• From the North (Meriden, Hartford, Springfield): Ride CTrail Hartford Line southbound to State Street Station or New Haven Union Station. Visit HartfordLine.com for schedules and further information.
• From the Shoreline (Branford, Madison, Old Saybrook): Ride CTrail Shore Line East westbound to State Street Station or New Haven Union Station. Visit ShoreLineEast.com for schedules and further information.
• From the West (Milford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, NYC): Ride Metro-North eastbound to New Haven Union Station or State Street Station. More information and schedules are available on the MTA website.
• On Sunday, March 12, special trains will run from New Haven Union Station to State Street State prior to and after the parade.

Public Transportation - Buses

• CTtransit alters the routes for bus pickup on Parade Day and provides advance notice in the bus pickup locations. More information is available on the CT transit website.

Parking

• The New Haven Parking Authority proudly serves the people of New Haven and its visitors with over 8,000 economical public parking spaces at the Air Rights, Crown Street, Temple Street, Temple Medical, Granite Square, and Union Station Garages. Parking is also available in selected Yale lots; the Crown and Temple Street Garages will be open that day with bathroom facilities available. For more parking information, visit our Parking Page.
• Need help planning your trip? Visit CTrides.com

About the parade queen

The 2026 Parade Queen is Caroline Pfaff of Madison, whose ancestors hail from counties Cork, Donegal, Kildare, and Mayo in Ireland.

Parade Honor Attendant is Meghan Waterfield of West Haven, whose ancestors hail from Counties Kildare, Offaly, Meath, and Armagh, in Ireland.

Before the parade, the route, Chapel Street and Church Street will get new names

The annual street renaming ceremony, held on Sunday before the parade, honors someone who has significantly contributed to preserving and promoting Irish culture.

Chapel Street will be renamed for Anne D. Hines.

For over 40 years, Hines was a fixture in the Irish community through her involvement with the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, the Irish American Community Center, and the New Haven Gaelic Football & Hurling Club, where she served as club president until she passed in May 2024. She was named Irish Woman of the Year in 2006. She was also involved with Kid U Not, Orchard House, and St. Mary's, where she taught the second-grade communion class for years.

Church Street will be renamed for Hugh F. Keefe.

Hugh F. Keefe was one of Connecticut's most celebrated trial lawyers and a towering figure in the state's legal community. Known for his brilliance in the courtroom, his commanding
presence, and his sharp wit, Hugh worked for one and only one law firm — Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante from 1967 until his death on July 11, 2025. His clients ranged from Black Panther
revolutionaries to corporate CEOs, celebrities, and members of American political dynasties. He was named by Connecticut Magazine as one of the five best lawyers in the state.

For more information, visit stpatricksdayparade.org.

The Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 15. Step-off time is 1:30 p.m., with a live broadcast on WTNH from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.