Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in North America. Started in 1987, the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day parade features various floats and a lively crowd read to cheer the marching bands. The Toronto St. Patrick’s Parade is organized by the St. Patrick’s Parade Society of Toronto (SPPS) . Each year, nearly 300,000 people attend the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Features of the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade usually begins at noon with the procession starting from Bloor and St. George (near old U of T Varsity Stadium). Thousands of people line the streets of Toronto to listen to pipe bands, watch Irish jigs, catch chocolate coins and green beads thrown from floats and, of course, high-five a leprechaun. This celebration of all things Irish shuts down many of Downtown Toronto’s streets.
Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route
The route of Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at Bloor and St. George and finishes at Nathan Phillips Square. The St. Patrick’s Day parade lasts about 90 minutes.
Getting to the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade
There are many ways to get to the Toronto St. Patricks Day Parade but the best way to get to the parade is by using public transportation. Driving and parking in downtown Toronto is already pretty stressful but it is even worst during parades and special events. There are various bus and subway routes from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) that pass along the parade route. There are also various options available with the GO Transit Network.
