St. Patricks Day in Savannah

Savannah hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States. What started as a private observance of St. Patrick’s Day by Savannah’s Hibernian Society in 1813 is now a three-to-four-hour parade drawing 400,000 visitors from all over the world. The Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in America. Marching bands, dancers and people riding elaborate floats come to Savannah from all over the Southeast to participate in the parade.

But the fun isn’t limited to just one parade – Savannah also hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day party in the South over several days. You’ll want to get an early start in Savannah, as the excitement starts to build days before celebrations begin.

Festivities begin with the Greening of the Fountain at Forsyth Park in the Historic District, where the water is dyed green and flows from the mouths of statues until after the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Partygoers will enjoy the lively Celebration on the River with nonstop music (Celtic and otherwise), food and cold beverages along River Street, as well as the City Market Celebration, another two-day party in the Historic District.

With all of the road closures and crowds of people If you’re attending the parade with a group of people, carpool as much as possible. For only $20, you can park at the Savannah Convention Center and take a free ferry ride to River Street. No car? If you’re coming from outside the Historic District or the airport, hop on board the city’s official shuttle bus.