St. Patrick's Day Free Parades for Kids on Long Island

Glen Cove celebrates its Irish heritage on March 17. Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove Hibernians
Glen Cove celebrates its Irish heritage on March 17. Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove Hibernians
3/1/19 - By James Smith

Few regions celebrate their Irish heritage better than Long Island. After a two-year pandemic pause, St. Patrick's Day parades are gearing up to step off this March with grand fanfare. 

From Rockville Centre to Montauk, from the first weekend of March till the last, Main Streets across the Island come alive with pipers, parade marchers, traditional food, music, dance, and more. Huntington itself swells with visitors on the second Sunday of March when one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day gatherings in New York State kicks off in the village downtown. That Huntington parade is dwarfed perhaps only by New York’s City’s celebration (NEEDS UPDATE), which this year is Thursday, March 17.

Most of these events are low cost or FREE, ideal for families, and appropriate for first-generation Irish-Americans or those who are just Irish for a day.

Read on for our favorites from among the parades that will take place in Patrick’s honor this month on the Island. Click through for details, including parade routes, dates, times, and more. As always see our Long Island Events Calendar and March GoList for the best in family entertainment all month long.

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Kids, floats, animals, and, yes, leprechauns are part of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Kings Park. Photo courtesy of Kings Park St. Patrick's Day Parade

Kings Park St. Patrick's Day Parade — Kings Park
Saturday, March 5
Kings Park has the honor of beginning Long Island’s parade season. Usually found in the rear of the parade, this year's grand marshals, Charles Gardner and Diane Gardner, will lead the way followed by pipe bands, floats, and the marching community beginning at noon. FREE


Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Bethpage parade. Photo courtesy of the event

Bethpage St. Patrick's Day Parade — Bethpage
Sunday, March 6
The day begins with a 12pm Mass at St. Martin of Tours church on Central Avenue. The parade steps off at 1pm in front of the church. FREE

Food, Fun, and Music at the Irish American Society — Mineola
Sunday, March 6
Following a 10am Mass at the Irish American Society, the parade steps off at 1pm along Mineola Boulevard.The Center opens at 2pm with food music and more for $5 per person admission.

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Enjoy traditional Irish dancing at the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site. Photo courtesy of Walt Whitman Birthplace

St. Patrick's Day East Islip Parade — East Islip
Sunday, March 6
The Ancient Order of the Hibernians Division 7 is holding its annual Irish celebration on March 6. The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. at the East Islip Public Library. FREE

Bay Shore-Brightwaters Parade — Bay Shore
Saturday, March 12
The parade steps off at 2pm rain or shine at Saxon Avenue. FREE

Cutchogue St. Patrick’s Day Parade — Cutchogue
Saturday, March 12
Join local merchants, sports teams, and the Cutchogue Fire Department at the North Fork’s largest parade, stepping off at 2pm. FREE

Westhampton Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade — Westhampton Beach
Saturday, March 12
The East End community recognizes Irish-American traditions and its hometown heroes. The theme this year is "Back to the Future," so expect to see some fun floats. New this year is a beer tent. FREE

St. Patrick's Day Parade — St. James
Saturday, March 12
Step-off is at 1pm. The parade of floats, dancers, and musicians travels along Lake Avenue from Woodlawn to Railroad Avenue. FREE


Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the 8 th Annual parade in Farmingdale. Photos by Bill Moseley, BBA Photography Corp.

Farmingdale St. Patrick's Day Parade — Farmingdale
Sunday, March 13
Parade step-off is at 2pm at Northside School, ending at the village green, where there will be shamrock photo-ops. FREE


Cheer on all things Irish at Huntington’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Photo by Cliff Weissman Photography

Huntington St. Patrick’s Day Parade — Huntington Village
Sunday, March 13
Join in the fun at the Huntington St. Patrick's Day parade. Arrive early; more than 50,000 spectators have traditionally attended the annual parade. FREE

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Friends of St. Patrick Parade — Miller Place-Rocky Point
Sunday, March 13
The neighboring communities in Suffolk County host their parade, beginning along Harrison Avenue in Miller Place and ending at North Country Road in Rocky Point. FREE

Bayport-Blue Point Parade — Bayport
Sunday, March 13
The Bayport-Blue Point St. Patrick's Day Parade travels east from Bayport to Blue Point along Montauk Highway.  FREE

Glen Cove Hibernians St. Patrick's Day Parade  — Glen Cove
Sunday, March 20
The annual parade in Glen Cove is followed by a family-friendly brunch at St. Patrick’s Church parish hall. FREE

RELATED: The Best Destinations on Long Island for Kids to Learn About Diversity

St. Patrick’s Day Parade for Charity — Rockville Centre
Saturday, March 19
Enjoy this annual celebration through the Village of Rockville Centre. The parade supports several local charities. FREE

Hampton Bays St. Patrick's Day Parade — Hampton Bays
Saturday, March 19


Wear some green and join the runners at St. Patrick's Day festivities In Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event

"May the Road Rise to Meet Ye” 5K Run, Walk and Parade — Patchogue
Sunday, March 20
The annual road race (entry fee) for families precedes the parade along Main Street in Patchogue’s emerging downtown. FREE

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Arrive early to glimpse the pageantry of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Montauk. Photo courtesy of Friends of Erin

Friends of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade — Montauk
Sunday, March 27
Long Island's easternmost parade runs up Edgemere Road and turns on to Main Street, passing the reviewing stand on the green. It finishes at the end of Main Street by the IGA. FREE

St. Patrick's Day Parade — Jamesport
Saturday, March 26
The East End Emerald Society present its  St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the town of Jamesport.

The parade steps off at 1pm. FREE 

Ronkonkoma St. Patrick's Day Parade — Ronkonkoma
Sunday, March 27
The parade steps off at 2pm on the corner of Patchogue-Holbrook Road and Portion Road. FREE

This article is updated annually.

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