How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Downtown
By Ian Meadows
February 24, 2026
Downtown Cleveland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities, as seen here in the Arcade.
Get ready to shamrock and roll by celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in downtown Cleveland! This city knows how to enjoy the day with the annual parade, live music, corned beef sandwiches, cheerful clothes, and green beer. This year will be no exception when the festivities return to the city center on Tuesday, March 17th.
To help you get ready for this fun day and ensure you have a memorable and safe experience, Downtown Cleveland, Inc. has pulled together this ultimate guide on how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in downtown.
Watch the Parade
Every year, thousands of people line the St. Patrick’s Day Parade route downtown.
The annual Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun, family-friendly experience with music, floats, performers, and Irish cheer. This year’s theme parade theme is “Celebration 250 Years of Irish and Irish-American Contributions in the Land of the Free.” The parade will step off at 1:04pm from Superior Avenue and E 18th Street and will continue west along Superior Avenue until it reaches Public Square, ending at Rockwell Avenue and Ontario Street.
Grab your spot early for the best view, and get ready for a festive experience that celebrates Cleveland’s Irish culture and heritage.
The 2026 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade route.
Dress Your Best in Green
Crowds of people sport festive green shirts and accessories for downtown’s festivities.
You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day downtown without dressing in your most festive green attire, whether it’s shirts, socks, feather boas, necklaces, hats, or anything else in between. Be sure to dress the part for a fun day!
Need a last-minute shirt or accessory? Stop into Cleveland Clothing Co. on East 4th Street or purchase in advance from their website, such as this limited edition, online pre-order only “Celtic CLE” shirt.
Cleveland Clothing Company’s “Celtic CLE” shirt.
Come Early, Stay Late, and Support Local
Top left: Flannery’s Pub, top right: Masthead Brewing Co., bottom left: Collision Bend Brewing Co., bottom right: The Arcade.
Make a full day of it, and enjoy downtown before and after the parade by supporting local bars, restaurants, and businesses.
Want to grab a bite to eat? Many downtown establishments offer food and drink specials for you to get some pre- and post-parade nourishment. Flannery’s Pub will be buzzing along with the rest of East 4th Street, Masthead Brewing Co. is conveniently located right along the parade route, grab that pint of Guinness at Parnell’s Pub in Playhouse Square, and other restaurants across downtown will be lively with music, Irish dishes, and energetic vibes, such as Collision Bend Brewing Co.
Be sure to also stop inside the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, where a sea of green will fill this historic space as bagpipes echo around the beautiful atrium.
Don’t Push Your Luck with Driving
Ditch the car and ride GCRTA trains or buses instead.
You may feel like you have the luck of the Irish, but do yourself and everyone around you a favor by playing it safe when it comes to your transportation to, from, and around downtown. If you partake in the day’s festivities, plan now so you and others will have a fun and safe day.
An all-day pass on the bus or train with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is only $5, making it a cheap and convenient option, especially with their free park-to-ride lots. With the Transit app, you can even purchase and use digital tickets on your phone.
Using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is another option to avoid traffic and parking, and ensure you get home safely. If you do drive, our Downtown Parking Map is a helpful resource to plan out your parking options, and please remember to be smart and responsible.
Extend Your Fun and Book a Staycation
Hotel Cleveland’s Maker bar and restaurant features this beautiful shamrock-colored chandelier.
Want to keep the fun going and avoid even less hassle with crowds and traffic? Book a staycation at one of downtown’s hotels! Be within walking distance of the day’s festivities and have a cozy place to sleep after the fun is over without needing to figure out your ride home.
Downtown has many beautiful hotels within a short walk of the parade route and East 4th Street. Keeping with the holiday’s green theme, we’ll make special mention of Hotel Cleveland, which features a large, emerald-green chandelier in Maker, its bar and restaurant. The perfect photo-worthy spot to dine, relax, and enjoy your stay!
Enjoy a Clean and Safe Downtown
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors work hard to keep our city center clean, safe, and welcoming.
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors are ready for all of the visitors who will be downtown for St. Patrick’s Day. They are here to help you and ensure that our city center is clean, safe, and welcoming on this day and every day. Their services, including safety escorts, car lock-out assistance, and more can be accessed by calling (216) 621-6000. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
It’s up to each and every one of us to keep our beautiful city clean and safe. Enjoy the day’s fun, but please be courteous and responsible while celebrating. Our hard-working Ambassadors want to be here to elevate and enhance your downtown experience, not pick up after messes left behind. Thank you in advance!
Start the Celebration Early with a Festive Run or Bar Crawl
Left: the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Run, right: the Official Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl.
Just a few days before the actual holiday, the festivities kick off on Saturday, March 14th! The Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Run returns downtown at 2pm, recognized as the Guinness World Records Largest Kilt Race – kilts, costumes, and Irish spirit encouraged.
If you’d rather not run, you can also crawl your way across downtown on the same day at the Official Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl. Enjoy a variety of festive bars and drink specials throughout the Warehouse District and Flats East Bank.
To make the most of your downtown experience, be sure to check out DowntownCleveland.com for all other resources and information.
Be safe, have fun, support local, and enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day celebration in downtown Cleveland!
The annual Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade.