The best St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country

It’s hard to compete with a city that confidently dyes a major waterway bright green. On the Saturday before the holiday, an average of 400,000 people turn out just to watch the boats transform the Chicago River into a festive centerpiece for the parade, but that crowd pales in comparison to the throngs that show up for the actual festivities, which see marching bands and performing troupes winding up Columbus Drive through Grant Park.

By the numbers, NYC hosts the biggest parade in the United States, with nearly a quarter-million performers. Like other major parades in the city, the St. Patrick’s Day procession tears down Fifth Ave for about six hours, causing grief for drivers and heaven for spectators who can easily ping pong from the parade sidelines to the copious Irish pubs in Midtown.

Floats and bagpipes announce the coming parade in Boston, where the proud Irish population puts on a stellar holiday celebration. Up to a million spectators turn out to watch the parade, which makes a V from Broadway Station down into City Point and back out to Andrew Square. Of course the city’s most popular Irish band, The Dropkick Murphys, play several gigs to mark the occasion.

The best in the west, the St. Patrick’s Day rager in Denver is not to be missed. The parade has been running in the Colorado city for nearly 60 years, enough time to perfect the art of serenading Irish pipes, colorful floats, and quick pints of Guinness. The parade winds its way from Wynkoop at 19th, turns down 17th at Union Station, and then doubles back along Blake street ending at 27th Street.

Nola is well known for its ability to throw a proper parade, and the city saves plenty of festive energy after Mardi Gras for a killer St. Patrick’s Day blowout later in spring. The city hosts several different parades, as well as block parties and other festivities, which are especially raucous given the city’s lax policy on open containers. Take your green beer for the road.