Detroit’s 68th St. Patrick’s Parade Set for Sunday With Expected 100,000 Attendees

Detroit's 68th St. Patrick's Parade kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, in Corktown. Organizers anticipate crowds between 80,000 and 100,000 will pack Michigan Avenue to honor Irish roots.

The procession starts at Michigan Avenue and Sixth Street, then winds down Michigan Avenue to 14th Street. Marching bands will fill the air with music. Pipe and drum groups, floats, color guard units, clowns, and novelty acts will pass by.

John Heinzman serves as grand marshal for 2026. He's co-chaired the parade fundraiser and the LeperCON Crawl.

Heinzman creates music and choreography for Irish heritage nights, all fundraisers for the United Irish Societies, with the Tigers, Pistons, and Detroit City Football Club. With his mother and sister, he started the Heinzman School of Irish Dance, now known as the Ardan Academy of Irish Dance. He earned TCRG and ADCRG Irish dance teaching certifications. He also teaches Gaelic to students.

Lieutenant Mark Hunt of the Southgate Fire Department and Julia Wall, Director of Education at the Michigan Parkinson's Foundation, receive Hometown Heroes honors.

The United Irish Societies, over 35 local Irish groups, organizes the parade each year. This tradition pulls people from all walks of life to Corktown, the city's old Irish neighborhood.

A Family Fun Zone opens at 11:30 a.m. at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Sixth Street. Kids can watch live Irish entertainment. Light snacks will be sold. Face painting is available. Paws and Ghostbusters will make appearances. Private restrooms are on-site. Tickets run $12 per person or $60 for six people and must be bought at detroitstpatricksparade.com by March 11.

The parade runs about two hours. St. Patrick's Day. The holiday honoring Ireland's patron saint falls on Tuesday, March 17.