St Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday 15 March 2026

Manchester's annual St Patrick's Day Parade will make its return to the city centre, taking place from midday on Sunday 15 March.

With this year's parade covering more of the city centre, and finishing on Deansgate, the event is an incredible celebration of our proud and thriving Irish community in Manchester. It will showcase and champion local groups and organisations such as Irish dance classes, marching bands and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland. It's free to attend, and great for all ages.

Jump to:

St Patricks Day Parade
Bus Diversions
Road Closures
Travelling by Tram
Travelling by Train
Travelling by Car
Cycling and Walking

Key Advice

To allow the Parade to pass through the city centre safely, there will be a number of road closures and bus diversions along the route.
We advise against travelling into the city centre by car if possible, as roads will be busier than usual and journeys may take much longer.
If you're travelling by public transport, you can check for any diversions on your route on our travel alerts hub.
Public transport will be the best way to travel. If you must drive, consider leaving the car at one of our park and ride sites and completing your journey by tram, bus or train.
There are a number of parking suspensions in place so please check our travelling by car advice below before making your journey.

About the St Patrick's Day Parade

The parade will begin at the Irish Heritage Centre at 12pm on Sunday 15 March. The parade will make its way along Cheetham Hill Road, Trinity Way, Great Ducie Street, Chapel Street, Victoria Bridge Street and Deansgate.

The parade will finish on Deansgate at approximately 1.15pm, shortly after the junction with John Dalton Street.

Bus Diversions

UPDATE: As of 1.45pm today [15 March], only the X41 & X43 services are still operating on diversion. All remaining bus routes have resumed normal route.

To allow the St Patrick's Day Parade to take place, the following bus services are operating on diversion from 10.30am to 3pm on the day: 8, 10, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 50, 59, 67, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, 135, Free Bus 1, Free Bus 2, 151, V1, V2, X41 & X43.

View full diversion details

Road Closures

The following road closures will be in place to facilitate the parade:

On Saturday 14 March:

Hilton Street (Between Oldham Street and Spear Street) - Stevenson Square will not be accessible to buses during this time. This is to facilitate celebrations prior to the parade.

From 9am until 11am on Sunday 15 March:

Queens Road (Boyle Street to Smedley Lane)

From 11am until 1pm on Sunday 15 March:

Queens Road (Cheetham Hill Road to Smedley Lane)

From 11am until 3pm on Sunday 15 March:

Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
Cheetham Hill Road (New Bridge Street to Victoria Street)
Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
Chapel Street (Victoria Street to Victoria Bridge Street)
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Princess Street)
Princess Street (John Dalton Street to George Street)

Parking suspensions

From 12.01am until 4pm on Sunday 15 March, the following parking suspensions will be in place:

Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
Cateaton Street (Fennel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
Queen Street (Deansgate to end)
South King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate)
John Dalton Street (Princess Street to Deansgate)
St James Square (South King Street to John Dalton Street)
Ebden Street (Minshull Street to Back Action Street)
Back Action Street (Fairfield Street to Granby Row)

Getting around on the day

Travelling by tram will be the best way to get to and from the parade.

Taking part in the parade, or looking to line the start of the parade route? The Irish World Heritage Centre is a five-minute walk from Queens Road tram stop.

Watching the parade from the city centre? Multiple lines stop at Victoria, and it's located right by part of the parade route.

Did you know? You can also purchase a tram ticket that covers travel for you and your family. A 1-day off-peak family travelcard gives you unlimited travel throughout your chosen zones. Visit our dedicated webpage to find ticket prices and how to purchase this ticket.

If this ticket isn't suited to your travelling needs, you can find the best ticket for your journey by visiting our tickets and passes webpage.

Manchester city centre is well served by trains, connecting many areas of Greater Manchester and beyond.

The nearest railway station to the parade route is Manchester Victoria. It's located right by the parade route. Exit the station, and your closest vantage point for the parade is along Victoria Street - a minute's walk away.

Remember to plan your journey in advance of your trip by checking with your operator or on the National Rail website.

Driving on the day? Car journeys may take longer to/from city centre, as road closures come into effect to allow for the parade.

If you have to drive, why not leave your car at one of the 24 park and ride sites, and complete your journey into the city centre by tram? It will save you a lot of time looking for a car parking space in the city.

Parking suspensions

From 12.01am until 4pm on Sunday 15 March, the following parking suspensions will be in place:

Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
Cateaton Street (Fennel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
Queen Street (Deansgate to end)
South King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate)
John Dalton Street (Princess Street to Deansgate)
St James Square (South King Street to John Dalton Street)
Ebden Street (Minshull Street to Back Action Street)
Back Action Street (Fairfield Street to Granby Row)

With road closures and bus diversions in operation, you may find that walking in and around the city centre will get you to the parade in less time. There's lots of information and handy tips about getting on your bike or walking in Greater Manchester on our Bee Active website.