Philadelphia painted the city green as thousands gathered to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The long-standing tradition, dating back to 1771, started near 16th and JFK and made its way down Benjamin Franklin Parkway before ending at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
At the base of the Rocky Steps, Irish pride was on full display. Parade floats lined the street, men in uniform kilts played bagpipes, and Irish dance troupes performed competitive routines. Families, friends, and visitors waved Irish flags and cheered as each group of performers showcased their traditional talent.
Even for the dancers, St. Patrick’s Day was about more than just another day of competition – it was a way to share their culture with the city. Young performers from the McHugh School of Irish Dance expressed their excitement, saying they loved the experience of dancing in the parade. “I love celebrating my culture,” one dancer said. Another dancer continued, “And [hanging out] with our friends and spread[ing] our culture.”
Green ruled the streets at Philadelphia’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade, though the celebration took on an extra shade of green as many fans showed off their love for the Eagles. From dancing in jerseys to singing “Fly, Eagles Fly” with a Super Bowl championship trophy on display, fans blended their team pride with their Irish spirit.
The festivities stretched far beyond Center City. At Temple University, students celebrated with their own gatherings and parties across campus.
While St. Patrick’s Day honors Irish heritage, it is a holiday that invites everyone to join in, regardless of background. For some students, however, like Temple Junior Megan Russell, the day offers a chance to reflect on her family’s roots. Megan is a proud redhead with strong Irish heritage as she shared, “Today is just a celebration of a lot of my ancestors, and I’m really excited to be here.”
From Temple’s campus streets to the Rocky Steps, Philadelphia was the definition of luck, liveliness, and celebration.
Be the first to comment