Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route Set To Change in 2027

While many of the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day parade’s traditions remain unchanged, 2026 will be a significant turning point for the annual event that draws thousands of people Downtown.

This year’s parade, set to start at 1:04 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, will be the final time the historic parade route will go down Superior Avenue.

The Cleveland Midway Project will begin in the spring, following the parade. Costing $24.5 million, the Cleveland Midway Project will add a continuous sidewalk-level bikeway median to Superior Ave. from Public Square to E. 55 St. 

According to John Togher, executive director of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the parade committee has worked closely with the City of Cleveland for the past two years to determine a new parade route.

“Shortly after last year's parade, we came to an agreement with the city for what would be a good route for the next 2027 parade,” Togher said. “The city finally got back to us and said they’re in agreement with what we have.”

To avoid confusion, the new route will not be announced until after the 2026 event, which will have a theme of “250 Years of Irish American Contributions to the Land of the Free” which is timed with the country’s semiquincentennial this year.

“We wanted to use this year's theme to be in concert with the 250th anniversary of the United States,” said Togher. “Our spin on it is what the Irish and the Irish Americans have done as contributions to the United States and their 250 years of being the land of the free.”

The theme was chosen following last year’s parade cycle, where it was voted on by the 28 organizations of the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland, the nonprofit which plans Cleveland’s parade.

The United Irish Societies assumed the parade responsibility from the Irish American Civic Association in 1958 and began the tradition of selecting a parade grand marshal. This year’s grand marshal is Thomas J. Mackin. Additionally, the parade honors Midge Gannon (“Irish Mother of the Year”), Donna M. Leary (inside co-chair) and Bob Crawford (outside co-chair).

“These four individuals have been pillars of the Irish community that have done great things in it,” said Togher. “Over their lifespan they have been very active in our organizations and are deserving of this honor.”

Each year, the parade has approximately 10,000 participants and remains Cleveland’s largest single-day event. 

“It is truly a family event,” said Togher. “You'll see families that are in the same areas on the streets time and time again.”

Built entirely on dedicated volunteers and costing roughly $40,000, the parade serves as a powerful showcase of Irish American heritage not just to Cleveland, but to the entire world. 

“You will see the parade from start to finish from anywhere in the city,” he said. “It’s a great way to see what the Irish in Cleveland do.”

View the parade route, and find more details about the event, at the parade's website.

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