Get ready to paint the town green! The Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival draws thousands of spectators to the streets of downtown for a one-of-a-kind celebration of all things Irish. The parade features decorative floats, bagpipers, marching bands, street performers, classic automobiles, and more. The festival features live music, a kids zone, exhibitors, interactive games, cultural activities, and Irish food and beverages.

• St. Patrick's Parade & Festival Flyer

Friday, March 15

Street Striping | 4:30 - 5 PM

• Tunnel Top Plaza, Las Olas Boulevard and SE 6th Ave

Saturday, March 16

Parade | Noon

• Parade will travel east on Las Olas Boulevard from Huizenga Plaza to SE 9th Avenue

Festival | 10 AM - 7 PM

• Tunnel Top Plaza, Las Olas Boulevard and SE 6th Avenue

Grand Marshal

Kelley Shanley has over 30 years of experience in the performing arts and entertainment. He recently ended his tenure as President & CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, a position he held for the past 15 years. He has been part of the leadership of the Broward Center for more than 20 years having previously served as the Center’s Executive Vice President & General Manager.

Kelley is a dynamic cultural leader with a keen business sense. He has been instrumental in the dynamic growth of the Broward Center, increasing the Center’s impact on the South Florida region in many ways – from outstanding performances in world-class facilities, to gathering spaces for diverse artists and audiences, to the largest free arts-in-education program in the country.

Under his leadership, the Broward Center completed an ambitious $60 million capital project in 2015 to re-imagine and revitalize the venue and the campus. This project returned the theaters to state-of-the art, added new performance, education and hospitality spaces and delivered innovative ways for audiences to experience the arts.

He recently oversaw a $30 million capital project to revitalize The Parker, returning the beloved Parker Playhouse, an entertainment landmark in Fort Lauderdale for more than 50 years, to state-of-the art.

He has been the driving force behind many of the Center’s initiatives, building new audiences and an exciting mix of programming which includes more than 700 performances a year for more than 700,000 patrons. Kelley is dedicated to the Center’s mission: connecting artists with audiences, using the arts to advance education, and adding to the vitality of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Today, the Broward Center has an economic impact on the region that exceeds $130 million annually.

He has served on the Executive Committee of the Broward Workshop, the board of directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and the Broadway League Legislative Affairs Committee. He is a past board member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Riverwalk Trust. He has been recognized with leadership awards from the South Florida Business Journal and Leadership Broward Foundation and has been honored as a Riverwalk Tribute honoree, Downtowner of the Year, and History Maker.

Kelley and his wife Sarah have three children: Liam, Garrett and Fiona. Fiona is an Irish step dancer with the Drake School of Irish Dance. She will compete at the World Championships in Glasgow in three weeks!

Entertainment Schedule

• St. Patrick's Parade & Festival Entertainment Schedule

Traffic Advisory

Expect traffic congestion and plan travel times accordingly.

• St. Patrick Parade & Festival Traffic Advisory Flyer

Friday, March 15, 2024
Street Striping: 4:30 - 5 PM

From 2 to 6 p.m., SE 6th Avenue will be closed from Las Olas Boulevard to the hotel overpass.

Saturday, March 16, 2024
Parade & Festival: 10 AM - 7 PM

1. SE 6th Avenue will be closed from Las Olas Boulevard to the hotel overpass from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
2. Las Olas Boulevard will be closed from SE 5th Avenue to Tunnel Top Plaza from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
3. Las Olas Boulevard will be closed from Andrews Avenue to SE 9th Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
4. SE 1st Avenue will be closed from Las Olas Boulevard to Broward Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Video 

Photos