Your 2024 Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - WTOC wants to make sure you are prepared for the biggest event of the year in the Hostess City.

The Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will host the 200th Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16. Here’s everything you need to know to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 16 - What you need to know:

Parade Route - The parade begins at 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of Abercorn and Gwinnett streets. Here is the map of the full route:

Running of the Squares - Several years ago, the City of Savannah instituted the “Land Rush” for square set-up along the parade route. Calhoun, Oglethorpe, LaFayette, Johnson, Wright, Madison, and Chippewa Squares are along the parade route. At 6 a.m. on the morning of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, City and Security staff will “officially” open the squares to parade-goers.

Keeping the Squares Green - The City of Savannah encourages everyone to do their part to keep the squares clean and litter free. They ask anyone planning to attend the parade to bring their own trash bags. Styrofoam coolers, cups, and glass are all prohibited.

Road closures - There are a number of planned road closures along the parade route. You can find a road closure map below:

Parking on Parade Day - There are a number of parking garages in Savannah. Spaces are limited. St. Patrick’s Day Parking Permits for Saturday, March 16, 2024, will be available for sale from Monday, February 26 to Friday, March 8. You can find out more about parking on the City’s website.

Transportation -

Shuttles:

From Pooler on Parade Day: Hosted by the Pooler Chamber of Commerce, Round trip service from the Tanger Outlets to downtown Savannah. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
From Midtown or Tybee on Parade Day: Hosted by Old Savannah Tours. Round trip service from the Midtown or Tybee Island to downtown Savannah. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Savannah Belles Ferry:

The Savannah Belles Ferry will operate on the current schedule unless impacted by weather or shipping traffic on the river. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

St. Patrick’s Day “Festival” - What you need to know:

Festival Zone - There is no longer a permitted festival. The Mayor and City Council decided in 2021 to keep the St. Patrick’s Day parade a family atmosphere. There will be no entertainment, bands, stages, alcohol sales, or vendors on the public rights-of-ways.

Wristbands - The City of Savannah will not be selling wristbands this year. They say there will be no outdoor entertainment and/or food and alcohol sales, so there will be no wristbands sold. But they do encourage you to buy from local businesses.

Fines - Here are some of the fines for local ordinance violations:

One drink on-street limit - $121
Size limited 16 ounces - $121
Drinking from can, bottle or glass - $121
Drinking alcohol in parked motor vehicle - $148
Unlawful for minor to drink/possess alcohol - $250
Disorderly conduct by: urinating in public - $121
Disorderly conduct by: fighting, indecency, etc. - $229

Should you receive a citation for violating a city ordinance, it can be handled just like any other ticket. Chatham County residents may be released with a city ordinance summons. If you receive a summons, you can avoid a court appearance by paying the fine in advance at the Recorders Court window at the Chatham County Courthouse, 133 Montgomery Street. You can also pay traffic citations online at www.savannahga.gov/paycitations.

You always have the right to appear in court and plead your case. You will be given a court date when you receive the citation. Should you ignore it, you will be found in Contempt of Court.

Bathrooms - There are portable restroom locations along the parade route during the parade. They are marked by a blue circle on the map.

Other Celebrations - What You Need to Know:

Turning the City Green - WTOC is proud to sponsor a new event for Saint Patrick’s Day this year. It’s called Turning the City Green - and just like the name would suggest - locations all over the Hostess City will have green lights in honor of this year’s Bicentennial Celebration. That includes City Hall, Forsyth Park, Plant Riverside, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and more. Turning the City Green will start at 7 p.m. on March 1. You can watch on WTOC!

Greening of the Fountain - The greening of the fountain at Forsyth Park will take place at noon on Friday, March 8.

Celtic Cross Ceremony - The Celtic Cross Mass and ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 10 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist followed by the ceremony at the Celtic Cross monument in Emmet Park. That begins at 11:30 a.m.

Jasper Green Ceremony - The Sgt. Jasper Green Ceremony will be at 4 p.m. on March 15 at Madison Square.

St. Patrick’s Day Mass - The day begins with Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 16.

Remember, you can watch St. Patrick’s Day events like Turning the City Green, the Greening of the Fountain, Celtic Cross Ceremony, Jasper Green Ceremony, St. Patrick’s Day Mass, and the 2024 Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade live on WTOC.com, the WTOC News App, WTOC+, the WTOC Facebook and the WTOC YouTube page.