Overview of the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade 2009:
Since 1987, the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade has drawn a spirited crowd of people to cheer on the marching bands, floats, music and leprechauns.
About 300,000 people attend the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is enough to create a festive atmosphere but not as hectic as the half a million people who cram the sidewalks for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.
Be sure to score your seat at a nearby Irish Pub following the parade.
About 300,000 people attend the Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is enough to create a festive atmosphere but not as hectic as the half a million people who cram the sidewalks for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.
Be sure to score your seat at a nearby Irish Pub following the parade.
Date & Time:
The 2009 Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 12:00 pm, noon - rain or shine.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto is held annually on a Sunday close to March 17th.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto is held annually on a Sunday close to March 17th.
Parade Route:
The Toronto St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at Bloor and St. George (near old U of T Varsity Stadium), continues along Bloor Street, down Yonge and finishes on Queen Street at Nathan Phillips Square.
The parade lasts about an hour and a half.
See a map of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto route.
The parade lasts about an hour and a half.
See a map of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto route.
Best Viewing Locations:
Spots along Bloor fill up earliest (people start milling around finding their spots before 11 am). Keep in mind that watching the parade near the beginning of the route allows you to leave earlier to reserve your spot at the nearest Irish pub, so spots along Bloor and at the top of Yonge fill up more quickly.
Spectators who are on Queen Street, closer to the end of the route will have to wait for about an hour and a half for the parade to reach its end at Nathan Phillips Square.
Spectators who are on Queen Street, closer to the end of the route will have to wait for about an hour and a half for the parade to reach its end at Nathan Phillips Square.
Parking for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto :
The best advice for parking for the St. Patrick's Day Parade is to park your car at home and get on public transit. Driving and parking in downtown Toronto is no fun at the best of times, but on parade day, with street closures and pedestrians, it's particularly dismal.
People coming in from out of town may want to park at a GO Station (often free) and take the GO Train into Union Station.
However, if you want to brave the traffic, check out the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto route and then consult the Toronto Parking Authority website for public parking near the spot you want to watch the parade.
People coming in from out of town may want to park at a GO Station (often free) and take the GO Train into Union Station.
However, if you want to brave the traffic, check out the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto route and then consult the Toronto Parking Authority website for public parking near the spot you want to watch the parade.
Subway Stops along the Parade Route:
The following Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) stops are along the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto route: St. George, Bloor & Yonge, Wellesley, College, Dundas and Queen stations. See a map of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Toronto, route.
What To Do After the Parade:
When the last marching band has marched by, you better believe there's a rush for the nearest Irish pub where parade goers will set about quenching their thirsts till the wee hours.
Check out these Irish pubs and restaurants in Toronto and have a plan to be there early.
