Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Guide: Tips for the Parade and Events

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Have you ever visited Savannah, Georgia, for St. Patrick’s Day? If not, you need to put this on your bucket list. You will have a blast there. The city hosts one of the biggest celebrations in the United States, including the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Savannah for the celebration, making it one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day events in the country. According to tourism officials, the celebration can attract around 300,000–500,000 visitors annually.

I’ve had the chance to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah a few times since I lived there for 8 years. Everyone needs to go at least once. Based on my experience living in Savannah and attending these celebrations, here are eleven tips to help you navigate the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Major travel events like this can also affect hotel bookings, ticket sales, and transportation demand. If you’re planning travel around major events, check out this sports events travel hub for tips on booking hotels, flights, and tickets for major events.

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Quick Guide to Savannah St. Patrick’s Day 2026

• Parade date: March 17th
• Parade start time: 10:15 AM
• Best viewing areas: Bay Street, Abercorn Street, Broughton Street
• Expected crowd size: 300,000–500,000 visitors
• Top attractions: River Street, City Market, Forsyth Park
• Best time to arrive: Before 7 AM for parade viewing

Book Your Lodging Early

About 500,000 people will be coming to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day, so you want to book your room early. According to WTOC, hotels often reach near capacity during the celebration, so planning is extremely important.

I like to reserve my rooms several months in advance. I suggest booking your room no later than December because hotel prices usually rise starting in January.

You can still book rooms in February or March, but nine times out of ten, the only vacancies will be near the Savannah airport or I-95, which are both far from the downtown area.

You should book your hotel months in advance since rooms fill up quickly during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

Compare hotel prices in Savannah here → Expedia

Explore Other Options in Savannah

If hotels aren’t your thing, you can check out VRBO. You can book people’s homes or condos on that site. Depending on when you book, you may even get a better deal than you would on a hotel room.

Browse available VRBO rentals in Savannah → VRBO

Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration is also one of the city’s biggest tourism events. Local tourism officials estimate the celebration brings hundreds of thousands of visitors and millions of dollars in economic activity to the Savannah area each year. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses often see some of their busiest days of the year during the celebration.

Arrive a Few Days Before the Parade

The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade is usually held on March 17th, but events often start a week earlier.

One event you should consider attending is the Greening of the Fountain. This is when city officials dye the water in the Forsyth Park Fountain green. It’s a quick event, but people from across the country gather to watch it.

If you want to explore the city before the parade crowds arrive, consider booking a Savannah walking tour or ghost tour.

See Savannah tours and experiences → Savannah Tours

Best Places to Watch the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade

If you want a great view of the parade, these locations are popular with locals and visitors:

Bay Street

A lively area near River Street with plenty of space to watch the floats and marching bands.

Broughton Street

Great for visitors staying downtown. Restaurants and shops are nearby.

Abercorn Street

One of the best locations if you want a view of the historic district squares. Arriving before 7 AM will help you secure a good spot.

Check the Weather

March is a weird weather month for the whole state of Georgia, and Savannah is no exception. The temperatures fluctuate a lot. Some St. Patrick’s Day weekends have been warm, while others have been cold. A few years ago, a cold front came through during St. Patrick’s week, and the temperature dropped 20 degrees in just a few hours. Many people weren’t prepared. Make sure you check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.

Attend Mass

Saint Patrick’s Day Mass is held every year on March 17th at 8 AM at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah.

The mass is open to people of all faiths and is a meaningful way for Savannah’s Irish-American community to celebrate their heritage.

Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The biggest event during this time is the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade begins at 10:15 AM and features dozens of floats, marching bands, and performances. The parade usually lasts about three hours and draws huge crowds.

People begin arriving downtown hours before the parade begins. If you want to watch the parade from any of the historic squares, the earliest you can arrive is 6 AM.

I’ve been to the parade once out of all the times I’ve visited Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day, and it was packed when I arrived shortly after 8 AM. If you want a good viewing spot, plan to arrive downtown by 7 AM.

Some good viewing areas include:

• Bay Street
• Abercorn Street
• Broughton Street

Bring Plastic or Styrofoam Cups

Make sure you bring plastic or styrofoam cups because you can drink in the Historic District. Savannah has an open-container policy in certain areas, allowing drinks in plastic cups of 16 ounces or smaller.

Just make sure you don’t overdo it. I’ve seen people pass out in the streets and even get arrested for being too drunk. That’s not how you want to spend your St. Patrick’s Day trip.

Bring Cash

You should have some cash on hand for food and souvenirs. Food vendors will be set up throughout downtown Savannah, selling a variety of food. Some of them only accept cash. You’ll also find vendors selling shirts, beads, and other St. Patrick’s Day souvenirs.

Visit River Street

River Street is one of the most popular areas in Savannah. The cobblestone street sits along the Savannah River and features over 70 shops, bars, and restaurants.

During St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, River Street becomes one of the busiest areas in the city. Thousands of people gather there to enjoy the festivities.

You’ll see:

• drink specials
• live music
• street entertainment

Try Some Green Beer

What better way to celebrate Savannah St. Patrick’s Day than by trying some green beer? It tastes just like regular beer. Bars add a special dye to give them the green color.

Below is a picture of some green beer I had a few years ago.

Enjoy Yourself

Make sure that you have fun. Besides River Street, you should also check out City Market, which often features live music stages and multiple bars.

If you want to see the ocean, take a short drive to Tybee Island. They usually host St. Patrick’s Day week events, including the Tybee Heritage Parade, which happens a few days before March 17th.

Stay Safe

Last but not least, stay safe. Use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings.

With any large event, there may be:

• pickpockets
• scams
• intoxicated crowds

If you’ve been drinking and your hotel is far away, use Uber or Lyft instead of driving.

Here’s $5 off your first Uber ride.

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is one of the most unique celebrations in the United States. With hundreds of thousands of visitors, lively parades, and nonstop entertainment, it’s an unforgettable experience. Large events like this also create opportunities for locals to earn extra income through food sales, rideshare driving, and rentals. If you want more ideas, check out this list of side hustle ideas.

If you plan ahead, book early, and follow these tips, you’ll have a fantastic time.

And if you enjoy traveling to major events like this, check out the Sports Events Travel Hub for more guides on attending large events, booking tickets, and planning event travel.

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Now start planning your Savannah St. Patrick’s Day trip and enjoy the celebration.