MIDTOWN — New York City’s Fifth Avenue was awash with the sights and sounds of the 263rd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16. 

The city’s St. Patrick’s march is the oldest and largest of its kind in the world; it was first held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Some 150,000 bagpipers, performers, politicians, and uniformed service members, along with dozens of marching bands paraded the route, cheered on by an estimated nearly 2 million onlookers, most of whom were wearing something colored green.

At the head of the procession was 2024 Parade Grand Marshall Margaret Timoney, president and CEO of Heineken USA, the beer synonymous with its signature green bottle. Joining the march were the top dignitaries in the state and city, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams.

Bridget O’Brien of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee proclaimed that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade “means so much … not just [to] Irish Americans, but the entire city, the entire melting pot.”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated Mass at the saint’s namesake cathedral on Fifth Avenue before the parade.