The annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade returns to Corktown on Sunday, March 16. Don your finest green threads, then bring your kiddos to this fun cultural celebration.
Colorful floats, music from marching bands, pipers and drummers, and more exciting acts will march down Michigan Avenue in celebration of the Irish-American holiday. The parade’s host, the United Irish Societies, invites community members, business owners and families of all cultures and nationalities to join in on the fun and celebrate the day.
Quick details about the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
- Start Time: 1 p.m.
- Parade Route: Michigan Avenue, from Sixth Street to Fourteenth Street
Parade Day kicks off with the 42nd annual Corktown Races. Littles can run a quarter-mile race before older runners participate in the Emerald Run and/or the Corktown 5K. Once all the runners have crossed the finish line, the parade festivities begin!
The parade starts at 1 p.m., but there will be plenty of family activities and cultural celebrations all day long. The Family Fun Zone is your fam’s go-to destination for comfortable parade viewing, kid-friendly activities, refreshments and more.
Family Fun Zone at St. Patrick’s Parade
- Location: Michigan Avenue and Sixth Street
- Time: 11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
- Cost: $12 per person or $60 for six family members. Advance tickets are available online.
Watch the parade from comfortable, family-friendly grandstand seating in the Family Fun Zone.
Located near the beginning of the parade route near Michigan Avenue and Sixth Street, the Family Fun Zone will be open from 11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Stop by before the parade to kick off the day with kid-friendly festivities like Irish dance performances, step dancing lessons and face painting.
The Family Fun Zone has private restrooms for families. Coffee, hot chocolate, water and donuts will be available for purchase throughout the day. Coolers, alcohol and tobacco are not permitted.
Other things to do in Corktown with kids
- Keep the festivities going with a drink at Brew Detroit, a family-friendly brewery with pizza, pretzel bites, cheese bread and more kid-approved bites.
- Grab a bite at Bobcat Bonnie’s, one of our favorite Corktown spots to dine with kids.
- Find more of the best places to shop, play, eat and explore with kids in our Corktown family neighborhood guide.
This article was recently updated on March 12, 2025 by Metro Parent’s writer, Sarah Knieff. The update included her research to feature the latest information. Questions? Please reach out to editor@metroparent.com.
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