Omaha St. Patrick's Day Parade

Omaha's St. Patrick's Day Parade is the city's big green Saturday. It is organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish Catholic fraternal group, and it brings out pipe and drum bands, Irish dance schools, community groups and plenty of families dressed head to toe in green.

The 2026 parade stepped off at 11 a.m. from 16th Street and Capitol Avenue after an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The route heads east on Capitol to 12th Street, then turns north and wraps up near Mike Fahey Street, close to the CHI Health Center and Charles Schwab Field.

The parade itself lasts a couple of hours, and the real tradition is what comes after: Irish pubs and Old Market bars fill up for the rest of the day. It is a fun, low-key way to catch the city's spring mood, and it is free to watch.

Highlights

• Pipe and drum bands and Irish dance troupes
• Opening ceremony before the parade near 16th and Capitol
• Compact downtown route that is easy to walk
• Pub crawls and celebrations in the Old Market afterward

Tips for going

• Stake out a curb spot along Capitol Avenue by 10:30 a.m.
• Expect downtown road closures around Capitol Avenue and 12th Street during the morning.
• March weather swings wildly; bring layers and gloves.
• Book Old Market or downtown hotels early if the parade lands on a weekend with other big downtown events.