St. Patrick’s Day festivities in NYC are starting early this weekend!
The 51st Annual Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade is officially taking over the Rockaways this Saturday, March 7, 2026.
As one of the city’s most beloved local traditions, this parade brings bagpipes, marching bands, and plenty of Irish spirit to the beachfront.
But if you’re planning to join the festivities (or just trying to get through the neighborhood), you’ll need to navigate some serious road closures and transit changes.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
When is the parade?
The parade officially steps off at 1 pm this Saturday, March 7.
If you want to start the day even earlier, the traditional Parade Mass will be held at 9 am at St. Francis De Sales Church (Beach 129th Street and Newport Avenue).
What is the route?
The march begins at Beach 129th Street and Newport Avenue. From there, the procession will:
- March east down Newport Avenue to Beach 116th Street.
- Turn right (south) onto Beach 116th Street for one block.
- Turn left (east) onto Rockaway Beach Boulevard.
- Continue down Rockaway Beach Blvd all the way to Beach 100th Street, terminating near the St. Camillus parking lot.
Road closures & parking restrictions
NYPD will be enforcing strict road closures and “No Parking” zones along the route.
If you’re driving, expect the following areas to be shut down starting as early as 8 am:
- Formation Area: Newport Avenue between Beach 129th and Beach 130th Streets.
- The Route: Newport Avenue (129th–116th St), Beach 116th Street (Newport to Rockaway Beach Blvd), and Rockaway Beach Boulevard (116th–100th St).
Transit changes for Saturday
With Rockaway Beach Blvd serving as the main parade route, several bus lines will be rerouted.
Under the recent Queens Bus Network Redesign, keep an eye on these lines:
- Q22 & Q35: Expect delays and diversions, especially near Beach 116th Street.
- Q52 & Q53-SBS: These routes will likely be detoured to Beach Channel Drive during the parade hours.
- Pro Tip: Take the A train or the NYC Ferry to the Rockaway Park-Beach 116th St stop to avoid the traffic nightmare entirely.
Where to celebrate after
The party doesn’t end when the bagpipes stop!
Head over to local favorites like The Rockaway Hotel + Spa, Healy’s Pub, or Rogers Pub & Hotel for live music, corned beef, and (of course) plenty of Guinness after.
