St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

The day starts with the parade, a march of pipe bands, Irish dancers, floats, community groups, and Irish clubs down 3rd Street from Oak Street to Hance Park. Grab a spot along the route early, since curbside space fills up before step-off.

After the parade, head into the faire. Three stages run Irish entertainment all day: the George O'Brien Memorial Stage under the bridge, the St. Patrick's Day Stage on the park lawn, and the Leavy Family Stage on the east side. Expect fiddles, bagpipes, Irish step dancers, Celtic bands, and storytellers.

Food vendors serve traditional corned beef and cabbage alongside a range of dishes from Arizona vendors, and pubs around the grounds pour Irish beer and whiskey.

The faire also celebrates Arizona's Irish community, with Irish clubs, vendors, and the Arizona Colleen and Rose program, whose winner reigns as "Queen" of the parade and faire.

ON-SITE AMENITIES

The faire is open to all ages, and dogs are welcome at no charge, so feel free to bring your pup dressed in green.

You can leave and come back as often as you like until 5 p.m., as long as you keep your wristband on.

Food and drinks are sold on site. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water, since much of the faire is on the open lawn at Hance Park.

LOCATION

The faire is at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix, next to the Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004. The parade runs down 3rd Street from Oak Street to the park.

FAQs About RVing to the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire

Is the parade free?

Yes. Watching the parade costs nothing. Tickets are only needed for the faire at Hance Park.

Can I park an RV downtown?

Downtown Phoenix parking is tight, so leave your RV at camp. Drive a smaller vehicle to the free lot or ride light rail.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes. Dogs are free to attend the faire, so they can join the fun if they're traveling with you.

Can I leave and come back?

Yes. Re-entry is allowed until 5 p.m. with your faire wristband.

RVING AT THE EVENT

There's no RV parking or camping at the parade or faire, but mid-March is peak season for RVing around Phoenix. Winter visitors fill many Valley RV parks, so reserve your site early.

For desert scenery, Maricopa County's Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa and Lost Dutchman State Park near Apache Junction both have campgrounds with views of the Sonoran Desert and the Superstition Mountains. Each is roughly 40 minutes to an hour from downtown, depending on traffic.

Set up camp the day before so you can get downtown early on Saturday. Days are usually warm and sunny in March, but evenings cool off quickly, so pack layers.

Drink plenty of water and keep electrolytes handy, especially if you're hiking before or after the festivities.

If you're renting, ask your host about generator rules and hookups before you book a campsite. Desert sun is strong even in March, so a rig with a good awning and working A/C makes afternoons at camp much more comfortable.

WHERE TO STAY

Downtown Phoenix has plenty of hotels within a short walk or light rail ride of Hance Park and the parade route. Book early, since March is a busy month for events and spring training baseball.

Make a weekend of it. Tour the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, catch a spring training game in the Valley, or drive the Apache Trail area east of the city for desert views.

If you're staying farther out, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Mesa all have easy light rail or freeway access to downtown.

HOW TO GET THERE

Hance Park sits just north of downtown Phoenix, where Interstate 10 runs underneath the park through the Deck Park Tunnel. Take I-10 to the 7th Street or 7th Avenue exit, or reach downtown from State Route 51 or Interstate 17.

Valley Metro light rail stops at Roosevelt/Central and McDowell/Central are a short walk from the faire and parade route.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 15 minutes away.

PARKING

The organizers offer free parking at the lot at N. Central Avenue and W. Palm Lane, on the west side of Central Avenue. The lot is about a four-minute walk to the parade on 3rd Street, and a shuttle runs to the faire about every 15 minutes.

Parking downtown is limited, so arrive early or take light rail. Leave the RV at your campground, since downtown lots and garages aren't built for big rigs.

TICKETS & PRICING

The parade is free. Faire tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and military, and free for kids 12 and under. Dogs get in free, too.

Find tickets and updates on the official faire page. The faire runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and lines are usually longest late in the morning right after the parade ends.

WRAP UP

The St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire fills downtown Phoenix with pipe bands, step dancers, and Irish music on March 13, 2027. Watch the free parade, spend the afternoon at Hance Park, and stretch the weekend into a desert road trip.

Browse RV rentals near Phoenix and book your adventure.

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