Memphis St. Patrick’s Day events in 2026 include Beale Street parade and Cooper-Young procession

A weekend of parades and related events leads into St. Patrick’s Day

Memphis’ 2026 St. Patrick’s Day calendar centers on two established public parades—one on Beale Street and another in the Cooper-Young neighborhood—along with associated activities scheduled around the same weekend and the March 17 holiday.

Beale Street: 53rd annual Silky O’Sullivan’s parade set for March 14

The 53rd Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, with a published event window of 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Beale Street. The parade is listed as free and open to the public and is promoted as a family-friendly outdoor event.

Event materials describe a traditional lineup that includes marching bands, floats, dancers, and community groups. The same event listing also includes a post-parade “Raising of the Goat” at 5:00 p.m. at Silky O’Sullivan’s on Beale Street.

Operational rules for participants emphasize safety and content limits

Parade participation documents for the 2026 Beale Street event outline specific restrictions and safety rules. These include prohibitions on distributing printed materials during the parade, bans on explosives, fireworks and firearms, and a prohibition on glass beverages. The participant guidelines also state that religious or political information may not be displayed during the event and warn that reckless driving behaviors such as burnouts can trigger bans from future Beale Street events.

Cooper-Young: March 17 parade scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day evening

The Memphis Irish Society’s Lucas St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cooper-Young is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, making it the parade explicitly held on St. Patrick’s Day itself. Organizers list a 4:30 p.m. lineup and a 5:00 p.m. start time.

The published route begins at York Avenue, proceeds south on Cooper Street, and ends at Walker Avenue. Organizers also list a post-parade gathering location at Celtic Crossing.

• Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade (Beale Street): Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

• Lucas St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Cooper-Young): Tuesday, March 17, 2026; lineup 4:30 p.m., start 5:00 p.m.

Related weekend activity: Bog Jog 5K listed for the morning of March 14

In addition to the parades, the Memphis Irish Society lists the Bog Jog 5K for Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., noting it benefits the organization. Scheduled on the same day as the Beale Street parade, the race adds a morning component to the broader St. Patrick’s weekend programming.

In 2026, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday (March 17), with major Memphis events spanning the preceding Saturday through the holiday itself.