DELRAY BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Delray Beach is preparing for a packed St. Patrick’s Day weekend centered on its 56th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with city road closures stretching across Atlantic Avenue and several downtown side streets as paradegoers and party crowds head into the city Saturday.
The main event is the Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, starting at noon. The parade route runs west along Atlantic Avenue from the Intracoastal Waterway to NW 5th Avenue. City information says the parade typically features more than 70 entries, including floats, schools, businesses, community groups, nonprofits, veterans, first responders, pipe and drum bands, and Irish heritage organizations.
The parade has been part of Delray Beach since 1968 and has grown into one of the city’s best-known annual events. Organizers describe this year’s event as first responder-themed. The city also said there will not be a festival this year.
For drivers, the biggest impact will be along Atlantic Avenue. The city said Atlantic Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning at 8 a.m. and remain shut down until about 3 p.m. from A1A to NW/SW 8th Avenue. A separate event advisory lists the closure from A1A to NW 5th Avenue from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Either way, motorists should expect the downtown corridor to be heavily restricted through much of the day. A1A itself is expected to remain open, but delays are likely. Detours are planned along Second Street to the north and south.
The parade is not the only St. Patrick’s Day event on the schedule.
Bounce St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is set for Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. on SE 3rd Avenue. That event will bring a road closure on SE 3rd Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to SE 1st Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Avalon Beach House St. Patrick’s Day Block Party is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday on SE 1st Avenue. That closure will affect SE 1st Avenue from Atlantic Avenue to SE 1st Street, also from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Beyond the parade route and block parties, the city listed several additional full road closures residents should know about. Those include NE 1st Street between US-1 and NE 7th Avenue; SE 1st Avenue at Sundy Block 69; SE 1st Street and SE 1st Avenue at Sundy Block 70; SE 1st Avenue with a detour using South Swinton Avenue, SE 2nd Street and SE 1st Street; and Gulfstream Boulevard, Gulfstream Drive, De Carie Street, Oceanview Avenue and Webb Avenue.
There is also at least one non-St. Patrick’s Day event on the city calendar Saturday. “The Space We Make: Women of Color in the Arts Panel Discussion” is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Creative Arts School at Old School Square.
Residents heading downtown are being urged to plan ahead, especially for parking. The city says parking information and the parade route are available through the St. Patrick’s Day Interactive Google Map. Listed parking locations include the county parking lot at 100 W. Atlantic Ave., the lot at 29 SE 2nd Ave., the Ingraham lot, the Roy M. Simon lot, Old School Square Garage, Robert Federspiel Garage and the Sandoway parking lot. Additional parking information is available through the city’s parking resources.
The event is scheduled to take place rain or shine unless there is a severe thunderstorm.
The city is also pushing basic event safety reminders. Attendees are advised to lock their cars, take personal belongings with them, and set a family meet-up location in case people get separated in the crowd. Restrooms will be available at the Old School Square Garage and the Old School Square Concession Stand, with portable restrooms placed throughout the event area.
For people who need help during the event, the city said staff wearing “EVENT STAFF” shirts will be stationed around the area. Residents can also sign up for AlertDelrayBeach for parade-related notifications.
For Delray Beach residents and anyone driving in from Boca Raton or elsewhere in South Florida, the bottom line is simple: downtown Delray will be busy, roads will close early, and getting in and out will take longer than usual.
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