Parade & Festival Info

Date

March 13, 2027

Time

9am - 6pm

Entry Fee

$10

$10 for adults 21 and over. Entry is free for under 21 and active duty military with ID.

Festival Overview

The San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival returns on Saturday, March 13, 2027, featuring a full day of activities from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Sixth and Laurel in Balboa Park, rain or shine.

Centered around our 2027 theme, "Sail the Green Wave," we celebrate the Irish immigrants who helped build America's infrastructure, establish public services, and shape our nation's vibrant culture. Whether you're Irish by blood or simply Irish at heart, join us to experience the music, dance, and heritage that connect us all.

Event Highlights & Details
The Parade (10:30 a.m.): Kicking off at 5th Avenue and Laurel Street, the parade features nearly 100 entries, including marching bands, military units, law enforcement, firefighters, Irish community groups, and local organizations.

The Irish Festival: Enjoy delicious food, cultural displays, and unique merchant booths throughout the day. It's the perfect place to meet up with friends and wear your green.

Admission Info: Viewing the parade is 100% free for all ages. Tickets are required for entry to the Festival grounds; however, guests under 21 and active-duty military with valid ID receive free festival admission at the gate.

9:00am

Festival Area Open
9am to 6pm

9:45am

Flag Presentation Ceremony.
Balboa Park - Sixth Ave & Laurel

10:30am

Parade Steps off at Fifth Avenue and Laurel St. and proceeds North up Fifth Avenue to Upas Street, over to Sixth Avenue and South on Sixth to Juniper.

Festival Map

Entertainment

Get ready to rock! We’re bringing you the hottest Irish bands from Southern California and beyond.

Catch all the action at our all-ages festival and beer garden at 6th and Laurel, the perfect spot to party before and after the parade.

Behind the scenes, we’re hard at work putting together an amazing entertainment lineup for 2027. Keep this page bookmarked. Our official lineup announcement is coming soon.

Want more information, or are you a band looking to perform at the festival? Please email Meg or Kevin at [email protected].

Live Entertainment
Live entertainment on 2 stages
Food Booths
Enjoy Irish food & other favorites
Craft Booths
Shop for all things Irish and visit a variety of craft vendors
Beer Garden
Live music and libations
Kids Zone
Kids enjoy games & rides
People Watch
Best of all, take in the sights and sounds of our amazing festival!

Dignitaries

2027 Dignitaries: TBA

We’re excited to announce our 2027 Dignitaries in the upcoming months

Entertainment Line Up

2027 Lineup: TBA

Festival Guidelines

All articles are subject to search with admission. ​

Items prohibited from the festival area:

  • Air Horns
  • Alcohol, outside food/beverages, glass containers, cans. Exception for unopened disposable water bottles
  • All reusable water bottles, canteens, and hydration packs must be empty
  • Bicycles, Skates/Rollerblades, Scooters, or Skateboards
  • Drones or Remote Control Aircraft, Cars or Toys
  • Flyers, Samples, Giveaways or Promotional Items
  • Illegal Drugs, hazardous substances
  • Wagons, large backpacks, coolers Pets or Other Animals – Except Service Animals
  • Weapons, Laser Pointers ​

At the St. Patrick’s Day parade, festival, and events, photos and videos may be recorded. By attending this event, you may be included in these photos and videos. Your attendance grants your permission to be in these photos which event producers to use photos or graphic images taken for promotional and archival uses.

By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

You understand that all photography, filming and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent. If you do not agree to the foregoing, please do not enter the event premises. This event is rain or shine.

Gallery