(Press Release) New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Monday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m. For those participating in the parade, and those looking to watch, the MTA is the safest and most reliable way to get customers there. Grand Central Terminal, serving both Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road, leaves customers minutes from the parade. New York City Subway’s Lexington Ave Line covers the full parade route, with stations a short walk to Fifth Ave. See below for more on how to take transit to this year’s NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Long Island and Metro-North Railroads Adding Extra Trains to the Parade
Grand Central Madison leaves LIRR customers closer to the parade than ever, with the East Side LIRR hub just a short walk from the parade’s starting point.
Multiple travel options will be available to get customers to the parade. The LIRR will add two extra westbound trains on the Babylon Branch and two extra trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch, all of which are stopping at Grand Central Madison.
Both Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road will ban alcohol on all trains and at stations from 5:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17 to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18. Alcohol consumption and open alcoholic containers are always unauthorized throughout the subway system.
“Thanks to Grand Central Madison, Long Island Rail Road customers have easy access to this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. “We’re also increasing LIRR service to Grand Central Madison on Monday morning to ensure that everyone who wants attend the parade can get there quickly and safely for a great customer experience.”
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a New York City staple since 1762, and the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The parade route runs along Fifth Avenue, starting at E. 44th Street and ending at E. 79th Street. The popular parade typically draws about 2 million spectators and about 150,000 marchers.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check the MTA app or TrainTime app prior to traveling.