26th Annual Raleigh St. Patricks Day Parade and Festival (city hall, closing)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Rain or shine, at Noon on Saturday, March 15th downtown Raleigh will come alive with Irish tradition as the 26th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival brings the ‘Wearin’ O’ the Green’ to the Capital City. The Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Southeast.
We missed it last year, but on the recommendations of friends we are foregoing the event we did last year to stay in town for the parade and festival. This weekend is going to have a lot going on and be a ton of fun!
We will be at this parade too. It is a fun parade, a little bit more light spirited than the Christmas parade. They let almost anyone that pays the entry fee march (within reason) so you will have the Parrotheads and the like. Very fun. Plus the parade ends at Moore square and there is a party after.
As Miamiblue says, there is tons going on downtown this weekend. The Run for the Oaks is Saturday morning, also ending at Moore Square.
The Museum of Natural History has Reptile and Amphibian Day too.
My church is having its Easter Egg hunt on the Capital Grounds on Saturday morning and we are going to have to have a bunch of people out there guarding our eggs because of all the activity!
There is tons going on downtown at the same time and lots of closed streets due to the parade and race, so don't count on any on street parking. Here is a good map of the lots downtown. There is plenty of parking in the lots: Parking & Transportation :: Downtown Raleigh, NC
In addition to the garages, parking is generally free on the street on weekends as well. If you know how to parallel park , I'd say street parking is the best if you find a spot close to where you want to be.
I hear people complain a lot about there not being any parking downtown. I actually think downtown Raleigh has a great parking situation right now with no shortage of places to park, all easily within walking distance of the events. You shouldn't have any problems!
I highly recommend this event. It's not as cheesy as the Christmas parade...and more festive than Artsplosure (the other two big downtown Ral events). The Irish dance performances in Moore Square/City Market after the parade are real fun to watch, too.
As others said, the public (city or county-owned) parking decks are free nights and weekends, as is the metered spots on-streets. I'd probably avoid the decks immediately by Moore Square due to street closings, parade route, etc. The one behind City Hall is fairly easy to get in and out of, if you don't mind walking a few blocks. Last year I just parked on a residential street in Oakwood near the Governor's Mansion...less than a ten-minute walk from Moore Square.
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, I'd say street parking is the best if you find a spot close to where you want to be.
