Pittsburgh To St. Patrick's Day Parade Merrymakers: Behave

PITTSBURGH, PA — Tens of thousands of people are expected Downtown Saturday for the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade, and Pittsburgh public safety officials say they are committed to making it a safe events.

Beginning at 10 a.m., the parade will proceed through Downtown from Liberty Avenue and 11th Street, going to Grant Street and the Boulevard of the Allies before ending at Stanwix Street near Point State Park.

After the parade, large groups of people are expected to converge on the South Side and North Shore entertainment districts. City police will have extra officers in those areas, including the mounted unit on the South Side. Heavier than usual pedestrian and vehicular traffic is expected, and public safety officials anticipate increased alcohol consumption by revelers.

"Pittsburgh is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day, rivaling much larger cities in participation and crowd size for the parade," Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said.

"It's also a day when the city comes together to celebrate and patronize Pittsburgh's many bars and restaurants. Pittsburgh Public Safety has been preparing for months with the goal of making it a safe and fun day throughout the city."

To ensure access for emergency vehicles, no parking will be allowed in the public safety lane on East Carson between South 12th and South 18th Streets starting early Saturday morning. No parking signs will be clearly posted in advance.

Police will be watching for public intoxication and cannabis use, open containers, and drunk driving. Public safety officials advise people to use a designated driver or hiring a taxi or rideshare
platform such as Uber or Lyft

Rideshare drivers will be directed to designated pickup/drop off areas to reduce vehicle congestion on East Carson Street.

Find parade route and event information here.