The 166th annual San Francisco Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be held this Saturday, March 11th. The event has historic ties to the city and is one of the largest parades Saint Paddy's Day celebrations, attracting over 100,000 people.

The parade begins at 11:30am at 2nd and Market Streets, making its way down Market to Civic Center Plaza, where parade-goers can enjoy an Irish Festival that includes live music, a variety of street food vendors, beer and Irish coffee and Irish dancing. The Festival is held at Civic Center Plaza and on Grove Street, from Polk to Larkin Streets at City Hall and provides a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Irish history and culture. The family-friendly festival also has an area with games, rides and activities tailored especially for children. The festival commences at 10am and runs until 5pm. 

For families with children in tow, one of the best places to settle in the watch the parade is at Market and McAllister. This area tends to be less crowded yet still offers a great view of the festivities. 

Event details:

• Saturday, March 11th, 2017
• Civic Center Plaza ~ San Francisco
• Festival Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Parade – Saturday, March 11th at 11:30 AM