Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day 2026 guide: canal greening, downtown parade, races, and neighborhood celebrations

A multi-day calendar built around downtown traditions

Indianapolis’ largest St. Patrick’s Day gatherings in 2026 are concentrated in a four-day stretch that begins Thursday, March 12, and continues through Sunday, March 15, with additional events on the holiday itself, Tuesday, March 17. The downtown schedule centers on the annual canal-dyeing kickoff and the city’s long-running parade, followed by multiple run-and-walk events and neighborhood celebrations that spread activity beyond the central business district.

Thursday, March 12: Greening of the Canal kickoff downtown

The opening public event is the Hoosier Lottery St. Patrick’s Day Kickoff Celebration at the Ohio Street Canal Basin (Ohio and West streets) on Thursday, March 12. Organizers list a 5 p.m. start with live entertainment and guest speakers, followed by the Greening of the Canal portion of the program around 5:30–5:45 p.m. The kickoff is billed as free and open to the public, with food trucks positioned along Ohio Street between Senate Avenue and West Street.

Friday, March 13: 44th annual downtown parade and daytime tent party

The 44th annual Indianapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Friday, March 13, with the parade running from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Festivities are anchored on North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets, where a daytime tent party and block-party programming is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parade is designed as a family-oriented event with Irish-themed floats, marching bands, dancers and community groups, and is listed as free to attend.

Traffic impacts are expected downtown Friday: published closure plans indicate streets along the route may be restricted starting around 10 a.m., with reopening targeted for early afternoon once the parade clears.

Saturday, March 14: race options from downtown to Military Park

Saturday, March 14, offers multiple run-focused events with different formats and audiences. The 33rd annual Shamrock Run & Walk is scheduled to start at 11 a.m., with registration/packet pickup beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a route beginning at the Indianapolis Firefighters Union Hall (748 Massachusetts Ave.) and finishing at Bottleworks (906 Carrollton Ave.), where organizers list a post-race celebration.

Also Saturday morning, the Lucky Dog 5K is scheduled for 9 a.m. with race-morning packet pickup at Military Park (601 W. New York St.). Later in the day, the Shamrock Beer Run 5K & BrewFest is scheduled at Military Park as a 21+ event: packet pickup is listed from late morning into early afternoon, with staggered 5K wave starts between roughly 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and the BrewFest operating into late afternoon.

• Shamrock Run & Walk: Saturday, March 14 (race start 11 a.m.; start at 748 Massachusetts Ave.)
• Lucky Dog 5K: Saturday, March 14 (start 9 a.m.; Military Park)
• Shamrock Beer Run 5K & BrewFest: Saturday, March 14 (Military Park; 21+)

Sunday, March 15: a faith-and-heritage celebration in the city center

For those seeking a traditional program tied to Irish Catholic heritage, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Indianapolis lists a St. Patrick’s Celebration on Sunday, March 15. The schedule includes a morning Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, followed by a short parade to the Indiana Roof Ballroom and a luncheon-style event with awards and musical entertainment.

Tuesday, March 17: St. Patrick’s Day programming continues

On St. Patrick’s Day itself—Tuesday, March 17—additional venue-based programming is advertised across the city, including daylong Irish food-and-music events at established entertainment locations. With major downtown street activity concentrated the prior Friday and Saturday, the Tuesday calendar can function as a lower-traffic option for residents and visitors who prefer an indoor, scheduled performance setting.