Ocean City is a great year-round vacation destination, but things become especially festive each March, as the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls through! A fun event for the whole family, the parade is simply not something you’ll want to miss.
Read on to learn four important things about the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including the route, date, and what kinds of things you can expect!
1. The Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Basic Info
While the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on different dates each year, it always follows a specific scheduling pattern: It occurs on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (unless the 17th is a Saturday, in which case the parade occurs on the holiday itself). That means that it will take place on March 15th in 2025.
The parade starts right at noon, at the junction of Coastal Highway and 61st street. It then travels down Coastal Highway all the way to 44th street, giving you plenty of places to catch a glimpse of the fun!
2. The History of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean City
The parade first began in 1980, making the 2025 parade the 46th time Ocean City visitors and residents have had the opportunity to enjoy it.
The parade was first organized by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, who still manages and sponsors the event. All of the proceeds from the parade (and the club’s other activities) are used to support local charities, including high school graduation scholarships and similar causes.
3. What Happens at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean City?
There are a number of things to enjoy during the parade and associated festivities, including:
- The parade floats: A variety of local businesses, community organizations, nonprofit groups, and individual families construct amazing and highly decorated floats that travel down the parade route.
- Irish festival: The 45th Street Village Shopping Center gets transformed into a full-fledged Irish festival on the day of the parade. Starting at 11:00 AM and continuing until 3:00 PM, the festival features traditional Irish food and drink, as well as dancers, music, and other fun attractions.
- Bagpipes: Key instruments involved in making traditional Irish music, bagpipes figure heavily into the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
- Irish dancers: Talented dancers will perform delightful dance routines, which feature traditional Irish dancing techniques.
- Characters wearing costumes: There are usually more than a few costumed characters afoot at the festival, including leprechauns, local business mascots, and others.
- Food and drink: A variety of local establishments will offer food and drink along the parade route, as well as at the 45th Street Village Shopping Center.
4. Tips for Enjoying the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It’s pretty easy to enjoy yourself at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade but try to embrace the following tips to make the most of this Ocean City tradition!
- Arrive a little early. The parade is a pretty popular event in Ocean City, and it can be tough to find a good spot to watch everything if you don’t arrive early. But if you get there about an hour beforehand, you should have no trouble securing a good location.
- Think about bringing a chair. Because you’ll want to arrive early and there aren’t always convenient places to sit, you may want to bring a folding chair or camping stool with you.
- Watch for treats coming from the parade vehicles: Some of the floats toss out candy, treats, and small souvenirs to the crowd while rolling down the parade route. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled!
- Wear layers and be prepared for the weather. Ocean City weather in March varies from year to year, and it can also change considerably over the course of the day. So, dress in layers, and consider bringing things like hats and gloves if the temperatures are low. Also, even though Ocean City doesn’t see a lot of rain in March, check the forecast and bring an umbrella if rain is predicted.
- Check the DIAC website for traffic tips. The parade disrupts typical traffic patterns, and the specific ways they are altered may change from one year to the next. But you can check the DIAC website’s Traffic Page for detailed information to make getting around easier.
- Make a day of it! Don’t just watch the parade and then leave, there are tons of things to do in downtown Ocean City. From bars to shopping opportunities to mini golf, there are fun activities you don’t want to miss.
- Wear plenty of green. We’re not saying you’ll get pinched if you don’t wear green to the festival, but it’s certainly a possibility. It’s just better to be on the safe side and don your finest green garments to celebrate the occasion!
Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: FAQ
Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade: FAQ
Still have questions about the parade? We answer some of the most common questions visitors have below!
The parade is scheduled for March 15th, 2025.
The parade itself starts at noon, but the Irish festival and other events start at 11:00 AM.
Yes! Leashed dogs are welcome (though they may not be permitted inside some of the local establishments).
The parade is completely free to attend!
You can visit the DIAC website to complete an application and submit your $50, non refundable payment.
Check Out the Parade During Your Ocean City Vacation!
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the great things you can see and enjoy during your Ocean City vacation. From relaxing spa days to fun amusement park trips to afternoons spent jet skiing around the Atlantic, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never be bored when visiting! But make time to check out the St. Patrick’s Day Parade if you happen to be visiting in March.
Go ahead and book your Ocean City rental property soon to ensure you don’t miss the vacation getaway of your dreams!