One of the biggest party days of the year is fast approaching…
Now that the holidays are behind us and Dry January is coming to an end, it’s time to get your mind and body ready for Scranton Parade Day. For those not familiar, this is one of the biggest party days on the NEPA calendar. And because knowing is half the battle, I’m going to give you everything you need to know to properly plan and prepare for Scranton Parade Day 2025.
When is Parade Day this year?
Scranton Parade Day 2025 is on Saturday, March 8th.
What is Scranton Parade Day?
Parade Day in Scranton, PA is one of the wildest days of the year in Northeast Pennsylvania. Each year, the city of Scranton hosts a city-wide St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Things kick off at 10am, when all the downtown bars open and a special Parade Day mass is held at Scranton’s St. Peter’s Cathedral.
Then at 11am, the annual Brian P. Kelly Memorial Foot Race gets underway, with runners racing on a two-mile course that finishes in the downtown area.
The Catholic mass and the race are cool and all, but it’s the bars and the beer that brings everyone to Scranton for Parade Day. As I mentioned, on this day, all the Scranton bars open at 10am (a few might even be open earlier), and partygoers, dressed from head-to-toe in green, spend the day drinking more beer and liquor than is safely recommended by the CDC.
That may or may not sound like a good time to you. If it does, this is your special day. If it doesn’t, I’d recommend staying as far away from Scranton as you can on this day because the city will be filled with mostly drunk people looking to party hard.
And when I say Scranton is “filled” on Parade Day, I’m so serious. On average, about 100,000 people will show up to watch the parade (one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in America, by the way) and many of those people will also likely partake in some beer drinking.
With that many people squished into the downtown Scranton area, it’s extremely crowded. Most bars clear out all their chairs and tables because it’ll likely be standing room only in most establishments. A few of the larger bars will also fence off their parking lots, installing outside bars and port-o-potties to help handle the swell of people.
If there’s a particular bar that you want to hit up, I recommend getting there at least fifteen minutes before the place opens. There will likely be a line to get in, but as long as you’re there by 10am or so, you’ll likely be able to get in and order your first beer fairly quickly. Wait until noon and you’ll be looking at long waits to get in anywhere and, once you are inside, likely another wait to get to the bar.
Do bars charge covers for Parade Day?
You bet your Irish ass they do.
If you plan on drinking at one of the many downtown Scranton bars and pubs, expect to pay a cover charge at each one. Prices vary, but on average you’ll likely be paying at least $10/person to get in. Some of the more popular bars will likely charge more.
What should you wear for Parade Day?
Green stuff!
For Parade Day, people go all out with their Irish-themed apparel. At a minimum, you’ll want to be wearing a green shirt. However, most people will also wear green beanies or hats, several strings of green beads around their necks, and wear green or orange scarves.
Also, keep in mind that this event takes place in March. This means that you’ll want to dress warm.
Important things to keep in mind about Scranton Parade Day…
- Stay hydrated! Yes, you need to drink water. After every few beers, buy a round of water for you and your friends.
- Eat food! That sounds like common sense but after a number of beers and shots, you might forget. Again, make sure you and your comrades eat food throughout the day.
- Don’t be an asshole. Parade Day is about having fun. Don’t ruin your fun or anyone else’s day by showing up and acting a fool. Also, keep in mind that there will be LOTS of Scranton cops posted all around the downtown, so conduct yourself accordingly.
- Don’t go alone. Stay with your friends. Take care of each other.
- Don’t drink and drive. First of all, parking on Parade Day is a massive pain in the dick. Second, and more importantly, do the safe and smart thing; Use a designated drive or use a rideshare.
- Bring cash. Yes, most bars will take cards. However, it’s a lot faster to get your drinks if you use cash (no need to swipe, sign a receipt, etc), and many bars require cash for the cover. Also, you’ll need cash to tip your bartenders.
Scranton Parade Day is a great time!
Regardless of what part of Scranton Parade Day you enjoy the most, be it the annual twp-mile foot race, the massive St. Patrick’s Day parade, or the all-day revelry, there’s no question that as a whole, this is one of the most fun days of the year in NEPA.
To everyone who plans on going to Parade Day this year, have fun, stay safe, and keep warm.
