The largest St. Patrick’s parade in the world returns this Thursday to 5th Avenue in New York after two years of pandemic; closure of buses and subway stations

Photo: Jewel Samad/Getty

“St. Patrick’s Day Parade”, the largest street parade in New York and also the largest in the world specifically in honor of the Irish Patron Saint on March 17, returns this Thursday to 5th Avenueafter unprecedented interruptions due to the pandemic.

The tradition in NYC dates back to 1762 and in that long period it was only canceled twice: in 2020 and 2021. For this reason, an even greater participation is expected this Thursday, in which in theory it is the 260th edition.

Streets close early and spectators begin to line up before the parade kicks off at 11:00 a.m. on East 44th St. From there you will go up 5th Avenue to 79th Stwhere it is estimated to end around 4:30 pm Of course the most symbolic point on the map is the block from the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New Yorkbetween 50th and 51st St.

All access is free, subject only to NYPD visibility guidelines. If people want to get to the stands to sit down, they must apply next year, as the deadline closed on March 1.

As prior to the coronavirus pause, the route will take over downtown Manhattan, affecting all buses going down 5th Avenue (M1, M2, M3 and M4), some of Madison Av and also those that cross the city east/west between Midtown and Central Park: M31, M42, M50, M57, M66, M72, M79 and Q32. Also some entrances to the Metro stations on 5th Avenue on lines 7, E, M, N, R and W. It is recommended consult the MTA portal or the MYmta app for updated details and changes.

The organizers remind the official page that “the parade has never been canceled due to bad weather” and has been held “in a variety of weather conditions that have included several examples of inclement weather”, such as snow, rain or very cold. For this Thursday forecast indicates high possibility of precipitation (88%) and 53F (12C) are expected in the day and 48F (9C) at nightaccording accuweather.

After the parade, on the route and other parts of the city, it is normal for people to celebrate in bars and restaurants, with outfits alluding to Irelandsometimes generating brawls and incidents due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Boston, Chicago, Dublin and other cities in the world with large Irish colonies also celebrate the parade, and the one in Manhattan is the largest and longest of all. Equally Staten Island He has his own, which was already held on March 6.

Full list of streets closed this Thursday in Manhattan:

5th Av between 42nd St and 86th St
Madison Av between 63rd St and 64th St
Madison Ave between 78th St and 86th St
Vyerbilt Av between 43rd St and 46th St
43rd St between Vyerbilt Av and 6th Av
44th St between Vyerbilt Av and 6th Av
45th St between Vyerbilt Av and 6th Av
46th St between Vyerbilt Av and 6th Av
47th St between Park Av and 6th Av
48th St between Park Av and 6th Av
62nd St between 5th Av and Madison Av
63rd St between 5th Av and Madison Av
64th St between Park Av and 5th Av
72nd St between Madison Av and 5th Av
78th St between Madison Av and 5th Av
79th St between 5th Av and Park Av
80th St between 5th Av and Park Av
81st St between 5th Av and Park Av
82nd St between 5th Av and Park Av
83rd St between 5th Av and Park Av
84th St between Madison Av and 5th Av
85th St between Madison Av and 5th Av