74th Annual Miller Place/Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day Parade 2026

The 74th Annual Miller Place–Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of Long Island’s most iconic and longest-running celebrations. Organized by the Friends of St. Patrick, this massive event brings tens of thousands of spectators to the North Shore.

In 2026, the parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026.

☘️ Miller Place–Rocky Point Parade 2026: Official Guide

? Event Schedule & Timing

• Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026.
• Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM (Sharp).
• Duration: Typically lasts until approximately 3:30 PM–4:00 PM.

? The Iconic Route

Known as one of the longest parade routes on Long Island, the procession stretches 2.8 miles along Route 25A:

• Start: The intersection of Route 25A and Harrison Avenue in Miller Place.
• The Path: The parade travels east along Route 25A.
• Finish: Concludes at the intersection of Route 25A and Broadway in Rocky Point (near North Country Road).
• Top Viewing Spots: The hillsides along the business district in Rocky Point provide excellent vantage points, but many families prefer the flatter stretches in Miller Place for easier chair setups.

?️ 2026 Leadership

• Grand Marshal: Councilwoman Jane Bonner has been officially named the Grand Marshal for the 74th Annual Parade. She is only the fourth woman in the parade's history to lead the march.
• Organization: The event is hosted by the Friends of St. Patrick, a non-profit volunteer organization that has managed the parade since its inception in 1950.

? Transportation & Logistics

Traffic on the North Shore will be significantly impacted. Planning ahead is mandatory.

• Road Closures: Route 25A will be closed between Miller Place Road and Harding Street from 12:00 PM until approximately 4:00 PM.
• Parking: There is no parking permitted on Route 25A along the parade route starting early Sunday morning. Most spectators park in the shopping centers near the start or end points, but these lots fill by 11:30 AM.
• Ride Share: If using Uber or Lyft, set your drop-off point at least three blocks away from Route 25A to avoid being caught in the road closures.

? Spectator Pro-Tips

• The "Land Rush": While not as intense as Savannah, locals begin placing chairs along the route as early as 8:00 AM.
• Strict Safety Policy: The Friends of St. Patrick strictly prohibit participants from throwing candy or items from floats to prevent children from running into the street. Marchers may walk to the curb and hand items to spectators.
• Public Safety: Suffolk County Police enforce a zero-tolerance policy for open containers of alcohol on the public parade route.
• Weather: Expect breezy conditions. Because the route is near the Long Island Sound, temperatures can feel 5–10 degrees cooler than inland.

Did you know? This parade was founded in 1950 by local businessmen John M. Sullivan and George Faulkner. In its first year, it had fewer than 1,000 attendees—today it draws over 40,000!