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St. Patrick's Day Parade and Celebrations - Savannah

Second Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration in the United States

By Sheridan Alexander, About.com

Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade - Rockland Police

Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade - Rockland Police

Courtesy of the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee
The St. Patrick's Day celebration in Savannah is the city's largest annual celebration and the second largest St. Patrick's Day event in the United States. Likened by some to a Mardi Gras celebration, the spirited St. Patrick's Day festivities in Savannah go on for several days, attracting roughly 400,000 Irish and honorary Irish visitors each year in addition to local celebrators. The comparison to Mardi Gras ends when it comes to displays of public nudity, however, which in Savannah will "get you arrested." Photos of St. Patrick's Day in Savannah

St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in Savannah in 1813, when the Hibernian Society planned a private gathering. Today, the popular St. Patrick's Day Parade and other fun events leading up to it attract visitors from around the United States and from around the world. Most visitors plan to arrive a few days early to take part in events leading up to the parade day. For families, there are a number of sanctioned family-friendly events, normally scheduled to take place prior to the parade.

Booking a Hotel Room
Because of the popularity of St. Patrick's Day in Savannah, it is important to book your hotel room as early as possible. Many hotels accept reservations as early as a year in advance and most of Savannah's available rooms are filled by March 1st or earlier.
Compare Prices for Savannah Hotels.

St. Patrick's Day 2008
Some of the popular events for St. Patrick's Day 2008 include:
  • Greening of the Forsyth Park Fountain
    Friday, March 7, 2008 - 12 noon
    Every year the Fountain at Forsyth Park goes green for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations.


  • Tara Feis Irish Celebration
    Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    This outdoor family-friendly celebration of Irish heritage and culture is traditionally held a week before St. Patrick's Day. Featured activities and live performances include Irish music, dancing, crafts, food and more. Location - Emmet Park, which borders East Bay Street on the bluff overlooking the Savannah River.


  • St. Patrick's Day Mass
    Friday, March 14, 2008 at 8 a.m.
    Attend St. Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Georgia, located off of Lafayette Square.


  • The 184rd Annual Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade
    Friday, March, 14, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
    The popular St. Patrick's Day Parade, the second largest in the United States, kicks off at 10:15 a.m. in Savannah's Historic District. Expect very large crowds and avoid trying to park anywhere near the parade. Good places to view the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade include the 600 block of Abercorn Street, Bull Street between Liberty and Harris Streets (near the reviewing stand), East Broad Street between Broughton and Bay Streets and Bay Street between East Broad and Bull streets.
    Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Route Map - PDF


  • Verizon Wireless presents St. Patrick's Celebration on the River
    Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16, 2008
    Historic River Street is where you can really get your green on with thousands of St. Paddy's Day partiers. This lively festival features non-stop Celtic, country, rock, pop and alternative musical entertainment, plus contests, games, food, cold beverages and more to add to the lively fun. This is a free event, however, in order to consume alcoholic beverages on the plaza, you must be at least 21 years old, show proper identification and purchase a wristband.


  • St. Patrick's Day Celebration at City Market
    Thursday, March 13 - Saturday, March 15, 2008
    Celebrate all things Irish at City Market, featuring live entertainment, food and beverage booths, souvenirs and more. Free and Open to the Public
Additional Information

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