A sea of green flooded Fifth Avenue as the 265th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought waves of Irish pride and festive cheer to the Big Apple.
Photo by Dean Moses
A sea of green flooded 5th Avenue on Tuesday as the 265th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought waves of Irish pride and festive cheer to the Big Apple.
The sound of bagpipes echoed off towering buildings as the parade kicked off at 44th Street and 5th Avenue, setting the tone for a day filled with celebration, culture, and community spirit, as participants joyfully shouted, “Erin go Bragh.”
Politicians and dignitaries, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, marched up Fifth Avenue, waving to onlookers before making their traditional stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Outside the cathedral, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks beamed as he greeted dignitaries during his first parade appearance. With open arms, and even trying on a green hat, albeit briefly, he smiled warmly at the crowd and press.
“It’s been a delightful welcome, and I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said.
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses
When asked what makes St. Patrick’s legacy so special, the archbishop emphasized its enduring message of love and faith.
“St. Patrick was a missionary. He came to spread faith and goodness, and he did so in an incredible way. He planted the seeds of faith, and we are seeing those seeds still alive and flourishing today. He is not only a saint of the past, but a living presence in our hearts—and that’s what we’re celebrating today,” Archbishop Hicks told amNewYork.
His message to New Yorkers was simple: unity.
“My message is to follow St. Patrick’s example—we are people of peace, people who love and are united together. Faith is something we don’t just celebrate, but something we live.”
For spectators, St. Patrick’s Day means ‘joy for everyone’
Spectator Patricia Lowery, decked out in green from head to toe, cheered on the marching bands, saying the music is her favorite part of the day.
“St. Patrick’s Day means Irish and Irish American pride—and joy for everyone involved,” she said.
Long Island native Katie Bruno, 11, climbed atop a light post with her cousin Dempsey Grant, 12, to catch a glimpse of her father, an FDNY firefighter, marching in the parade. Looking up to him, Bruno hopes to follow in his footsteps one day.
“He’s an FDNY firefighter, which is what I want to be when I grow up,” she said. “I love the colors, the green, the white, the orange, it’s such a beautiful celebration of Irish heritage.”
“I love supporting my uncle and spending time with my family at the parade; it’s so much fun,” Grant added.
For Brooklynite Viviane and her family, the day was both a celebration of tradition and a personal milestone, as they also honored her mother’s birthday.
“The music!” Viviane exclaimed.
“We love the Emerald Society bagpipe band,” her mother added.
The parade culminated at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street at 4:40 p.m., leaving behind a trail of music, memories, and unmistakable Irish pride.
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses 
Photo by Dean Moses
