How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Cleveland
By Ian Meadows
Thousands of people line Downtown Cleveland’s streets every year for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities.
We’ve reached the pint of no return – it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Cleveland! Every year, Clevelanders show up and show out for Downtown’s annual parade, live music, corned beef sandwiches, cheerful clothes and accessories, and green beer. This year will be no exception when the festivities return on Sunday, March 17th. Regardless of how you spend the day, #DTCLE will be the place to be for your celebrations with friends and family.
Hyatt Regency at the Arcade is bustling with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
To help you get ready for this fun day and ensure you have a memorable and safe experience, Downtown Cleveland, Inc. has pulled together this ultimate guide to Downtown’s one and only St. Paddy’s Day.
Watch the Parade
The annual Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun, family-friendly experience with music, floats, performers, and Irish cheer. This year, the parade is stepping off at 2:04pm at Superior and E 18th Street, and will continue west along Superior Ave until it reaches Public Square and ends at Rockwell Ave and Ontario St. (see the parade route map shown here).
The 2024 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade route.
Deck out in your brightest green, grab your spot early for the best view, and get ready for a festive experience that celebrates Cleveland’s Irish culture and heritage.
Festive sights from the annual parade through Downtown Cleveland.
Dress Your Best in Green
You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Downtown without dressing in your most festive green attire, whether it’s shirts, socks, feather boas, necklaces, hats, or anything else in between. It’s the one time of year that you and thousands of other Irish (or Irish wannabe) Clevelanders can walk around the city with shamrock facepaint and Leprechaun hats have it be totally normal. So embrace it, and dress the part for a fun day!
Thousands of people sport festive green shirts and accessories for Downtown’s festivities.
Cleveland Clothing Company’s “Lucky to be a Clevelander” shirt.
Need a last-minute shirt or accessory to complete your outfit for the day? Stop into Cleveland Clothing Company on E 4th Street or purchase in advance from their website, such as this limited edition, online pre-order only “Lucky to be a Clevelander” shirt.
Come Early, Stay Late, Support Local
Make a full day of it and enjoy Downtown before and after the parade by supporting local bars, restaurants, and businesses.
Masthead Brewing Co. is located directly along the parade route on Superior Avenue.
Want to grab a bite to eat? Many Downtown establishments offer food and drink specials for you to get some pre- and post-parade nourishment. Masthead Brewing Co. is conveniently located right along the parade route, grab that pint of Guinness at Parnell’s Pub in Playhouse Square, Fahrenheit will have their food truck parked out front on Public Square to serve up some St. Paddy’s Day specialties, Flannery’s Pub will be buzzing along with the rest of E 4th Street, and other restaurants across Downtown will be bustling with live music, Irish dishes, and energetic atmosphere.
Live music at Flannery’s Pub.
Be sure to also stop inside the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, where a sea of green will fill this historic space as bagpipes echo around the beautiful atrium.
Post-parade festivities inside the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade.
Don’t Push Your Luck with Driving
You may feel like you have the luck of the Irish, but do yourself and everyone around you a favor and play it safe when it comes to your transportation to, from, and around Downtown. If you partake in the day’s festivities, plan now so you and others will have a fun and safe day.
An all-day pass on the bus or train with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is only $5, making it a cheap and convenient option. With the Transit app, you can even purchase and use digital tickets on your phone. Using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is another option to avoid traffic and parking, and ensure you get home safely. If you do drive, our Downtown Parking Map is a helpful resource to plan out your parking options, and remember to be smart and responsible.
Ditch the car and ride GCRTA trains or buses instead.
Extend Your Fun and Book a Staycation
The festive lobby and entrance to Betts restaurant at the Kimpton Schofield Hotel.
Want to keep the fun going and avoid even less hassle with crowds and traffic? Book a staycation at one of Downtown’s hotels! Be within walking distance of the day’s festivities and have a cozy place to sleep after the fun is over without needing to figure out your ride home.
One great option is the Kimpton Schofield Hotel, offering a St. Patrick’s Day special – valet, stay and walk to the parade! Kimpton Schofield is in the historic heart of Downtown Cleveland, located on the corner of E 9th and Euclid in the midst of all St. Patrick’s Day fun. Its on-site bar and restaurant, Betts, will also feature special menu items for tasty and convenient dining.
Enjoy A Clean and Safe Downtown
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors are ready to greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will be Downtown for St. Patrick’s Day. They are here to help you and ensure that our city center is clean, safe, and welcoming this day and every day. Their services, including safety escorts, car lock-out assistance, non-emergency issue reporting, and more can be accessed by calling (216) 621-6000. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
Downtown Cleveland Ambassadors work hard to keep our city center clean, safe, and welcoming.
That being said, it’s up to each and every one of us to keep our beautiful city clean and safe. Enjoy the day’s fun, but please be courteous and responsible while celebrating. Our hard-working Ambassadors want to be here to elevate and enhance your Downtown experience, not pick up after messes left behind. Thank you in advance!
To make the most of your Downtown experience, be sure to check out DowntownCleveland.com for all other resources and information.
E. 4th Street is buzzing with energy on St. Patrick’s Day.
Be safe, have fun, support local, and get ready to shamrock and roll at a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Cleveland!