Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade route announced

The 2024 St. Patrick’s Parade route has been announced! Toronto’s largest celebration of Irish-Canadian culture will be taking place on Sunday March 17. The procession which, kicks off at noon at the corner of Bloor & St. George features music, dance, floats, and fun! 

St. Patrick’s Day parade route

The parade runs east along Bloor before heading south down Yonge. This year’s event will end at Yonge & Dundas Square across from the Eaton Centre.

Toronto’s St. Paddy’s parade is free to attend making it affordable fun for both tourists and Torontonians. It brings thousands of participants and spectators into the heart of the city. Dozens of musical acts and dance troupes will dazzle crowded sidewalks along the route. 

Toronto’s Irish ancestry

There are over 500,000 people in the Greater Toronto Area with ancestral connections to Ireland according to the most recent national census. Recent immigrants and Canadians of Irish heritage are both well represented in the Parade. All 32 Irish counties are recognized with many organizing their own entries. 

Mexican connection

Groups with unique Irish connections are also showcased. Every year, the Mexican community enters a large and colourful contingent to recognize the St. Patrick’s Battalion. These Irish soldiers fought for Mexico during the Mexican-American War and are revered as national heroes. Entries from Montserrat and Barbados also march in honour of their Irish-Caribbean connections.

Participation extends beyond those with direct links to the Emerald Isle. As one of the city’s original underclasses, the Irish community understands the importance of being inclusive. Each year, new cultural groups are invited to take part. Representatives from Brazil, China, Iceland, India, Japan, Philippines, Scotland, and the Ukraine have all been part of the festivities in recent years. In fact, the Irish Government has recognized Toronto as one of the most multicultural St. Patrick’s Parade in the world.

Everyone can be “Irish” for the day so throw on some green and come join in the fun!

photos by Richmond Hill Camera Club

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