Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade to return in 2026

Ottawa St. Patrick's Day Parade. (File)

Ottawa will have a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2026 for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Irish Society of the National Capital Region says the St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 7, 2026, as part of the celebrations marking the Bicentennial of Bytown.

“After working closely with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Services, and the National Capital Commission, we’re ready to celebrate in style on March 7, 2026 – marking the Bicentennial of Bytown!,” officials said on the Irish Society of the National Capital Region’s Facebook page.

The Irish Society said there will be a new parade route, starting at the Supreme Court of Canada on Wellington Street. The parade will travel east on Wellington Street, past Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, then north on Sussex Drive to the ByWard Market.

“This is more than just a parade – it’s a celebration of 200 years of Irish contributions to building this great city,” the Irish Society said.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled last March, as organizers faced higher costs to put on the event and delays in obtaining a parade permit. Officials said policing costs for a parade down Elgin Street would have been over $35.000.

The last St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ottawa was 2019. The parade was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2023 parade was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers and funding and the 2024 parade was cancelled after organizers did not receive a parade permit.