A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day in Toronto. Toronto has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for over a century, with records of a parade dating back to 1863. The city has long embraced Irish heritage, even in its hockey history—between 1919 and 1927, the Toronto Maple Leafs were known as the Toronto St. Patricks and wore green jerseys. In fact, Toronto’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade was cancelled at one point – for 110 years! According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “St. Patrick’s Day parades were banned in Toronto in 1878 after previous parades sparked violence between Catholics and Protestants. Toronto did not hold a parade again until 1988.” Colleen Glasgow, 22, is crowned queen of Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1989, and obviously has a new pal in Lucy, a 160-pound Irish wolfhound. Toronto Star Archives Facebook The following caption appeared on a 1988 photo of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade: “Parade watchers: The revellers were all smiles as they enjoyed Toronto ’ s first St. Patrick ’ s Day Parade Get your best green attire ready, as one of the city’s most highly anticipated parades of the year is set to take place in downtown Toronto on Sunday, March 16. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, organized by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Society, is an annual tradition “to celebrate Ireland’s history, culture and heritage through The annual Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a community event in celebrating Irish culture history and heritage will feature live entertainment and local dignitaries. The parade starts alon g Bloor Street at St. George Street at 12 p.m. Sunday before turning south on Yonge Street and finishing at Dundas Street. Even then, it would be another thirty years before Toronto decided it was safe enough for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to return. It was in the 1980s that green-clad revellers took to the streets of our city to march in celebration for the first time in more than a century. A parade goer in 1988, at Toronto’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in more than a century. Revellers enjoy the 1988 St. Patrick’s Day parade, the first since in the city since 1878. We annually organize the Grand Marshal Ball, the St. Patrick’s Parade Lunch, Celtic Island, and Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Parade. The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins on the corner of St. George and Bloor St West (near St. George subway station) and heads east on Bloor Street, turns south on Yonge Street and finishes at Dundas People in Toronto, Canada, braved the rain to join a St Patrick’s Day parade held on Sunday, March 16. Footage filmed by Brendan Fyfe and shared by the St Patrick’s Parade Society of Toronto Celebrated on March 17 every year, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious and cultural holiday that commemorates Saint Patrick — the patron saint of Ireland. Millions around the world recognize the day by celebrating Irish culture and heritage. St. Patrick's Parade in downtown Toronto on March 16, 2025. Alex Flood/TorontoToday St. Patrick’s Day, 1858: a bloody day in the history of Toronto. Thomas D'Arcy McGee has come to town. He was once was an Irish revolutionary, but now he's one of Canada's leading politicians. Join a St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Many cities in Canada hold St. Patrick’s Day parades. These parades feature marching bands, dancers, floats, and people dressed in green. Here are some of the biggest parades in Canada: Montreal, Quebec – The Montreal St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the oldest and biggest in Canada. It has been THE BIG STORY — St. Patrick’s Day is coming up this week, which is an exciting time of year for me since I get to go around reminding everyone about one of the most bizarre facts in the history of our city: The St. Patrick’s Day parade was banned in Toronto for more than a century! It wasn’t allowed to return until the 1980s! Why, you ask? The first modern-day parade in 1988 was a much different affair from the “Jubilee Riots”, with 1,000 participants in 88 marching groups, bands and floats taking part in the city’s first such History of St. Patrick’s Day in Canada St. Patrick’s Day is named after Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who played a crucial role in spreading Christianity across the island. The tradition dates back over 1,000 years , and Irish immigrants brought the celebrations to Canada in the 18th century . Toronto St Patrick’s Day Parade – history Highlights of the Parade: The Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a spectacle of sights and sounds, with something for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights of the parade is the procession of colorful floats, each adorned with shamrocks, leprechauns, and other symbols of Irish culture. We wish to establish The St. Patrick’s Parade Society Of Toronto as the master of ceremonies of these events, with the goal of continuing the celebration of rich Irish history, culture and heritage through entertainment.We are a not for profit event staging organization responsible for The Grand Marshal Ball and The St Patrick’s Day Parade. Aside from positive stories about merriment on the streets, the Star ran a freelance opinion feature last month for St. Patrick’s Day on why our city “banned” the St. Patrick’s Day parade for over 100 years. The article stated the city banned the parade in 1878 due to violence between Catholics and Protestants. A Celebration Through Rain and Wind. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Toronto took place on March 16, 2025, drawing thousands of spectators despite the persistent drizzle.. The parade route stretched from St. George Street and Bloor Street West to Yonge and Dundas Streets, filling the streets with green-clad revellers, lively music, and a strong sense of Irish herita
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |