Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Takes New Route for 2025, Adds Performance Space
At 11 a.m. on March 16, 2025, Philadelphia‘s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will follow a new path, ending at the famous Rocky steps of the Art Museum.
Moving away from tradition, the parade will start at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard. The museum’s East Apron will become a performance area where dancers and musicians can showcase their skills – a big change from the old Penn’s Landing finish line.
Leading the way is Paddy Rooney, a Northern Ireland native chosen as grand marshal. This local pub owner has dedicated himself to Irish American sports organizations since 1984.
The day begins with Archbishop Nelson Pérez leading a 9 a.m. mass at St. Patrick’s. Bishop Shanahan’s choir will sing alongside the Philadelphia Emerald Society Band’s bagpipes.
This year’s parade celebrates community service, continuing a tradition that’s been going strong since 1771 without skipping a beat.
JFK Boulevard and Ben Franklin Parkway will be closed to traffic all day. Thirteen SEPTA bus routes will detour between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., including the 2, 7, and other lines throughout the city. Get all the St. Patrik’s Day Parade road closures, parking restrictions and other details from the city’s website.
The following streets will be closed starting at 5:30 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16:
Eakins Oval (from Kelly Drive to Spring Garden Street)
The following streets will be closed starting at 9 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 16:
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 20th and 15th streets
- 20th Street between Market and Arch streets
- 19th Street between Market and Arch streets
- 18th Street between Market and Arch streets
- 17th Street between Market and Arch streets
- 16th Street between Market and Arch streets
- 15th Street between Market and Arch streets
The following streets will be closed starting at 10:30 a.m. (or earlier, depending on traffic conditions) until approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 16:
- 16th Street between Market and Cherry streets
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 16th Street and Eakins Oval
- Neighboring cross streets on the Parkway from 16th to 22nd street until the parade passes and streets are serviced and reopened
Can’t get downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade? Philly 57 will air the parade live on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. You can also watch the live stream on the CBS News app, Paramount+, Pluto TV, or any platform where CBS News Philadelphia is streaming.
City officials are serious about the rules: no alcohol allowed along the parade route, and they’ll be checking bags on trains. No exceptions.
Stay informed by texting ReadyPhila to 888-777 for real-time updates about weather, transit changes, and safety alerts.
While meteorologists predict mild temperatures with possible rain, the parade will happen – a little weather won’t stop this 250-year tradition.
