CANCELED: St. Patrick's Day Parade

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Silver Linings Photography

Stilt walkers at the 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Along with the first robin sighting, another harbinger of spring’s arrival is the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade around the Square. Unfortunately, the often-uncooperative March weather has proven a big concern for events this Sunday, and parade organizers have made the decision to cancel the 2026 parade. The Dane County Shamrock Club's annual Irish flag ceremony in the Capitol preceding the parade is also canceled.

March 13 update: The Madison St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, has been canceled due to winter weather and out of concern for the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators.

Parade organizers made the decision after closely monitoring the forecast and considering conditions that could affect travel, parade staging and spectator safety around the Capitol Square.

“This decision was not made lightly,” Joe Herr, event spokesperson and member of the organizing committee, said. “The safety of everyone involved in the parade and those who come to celebrate is our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and look forward to celebrating together again next year.”

Any pledged donations to Logan’s Heart and Smiles and DAIS will still go to the organizations.

Raffle tickets can still be purchased. For more information about the raffle and purchasing tickets, email edj336@yahoo.com. 

If any parade participants have questions, please contact Lucas Molloy directly.

media release: WKOW 27 news anchors Amber Noggle and Brandon Taylor will return as the grand marshals of the 26th annual Madison St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled to take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, on the Capitol Square.

“Celebrating the annual Madison St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a wonderful tradition that brings people together to celebrate culture, community and giving back,” Joe Herr, event spokesperson and member of the organizing committee, said. “Each year we love to see families, friends and local organizations come together to support the event.”

Noggle and Taylor previously served as grand marshals in 2025, returning this year due to their continued community involvement and longtime support of the event.

The celebration will kick off with the Dane County Shamrock Club raising an Irish flag at noon in the Capitol Rotunda. A raffle drawing will take place at the Jameson Irish Whiskey/JP Cullen Afterparty at LJ’s Sports Tavern & Grill, located at 8 N. Paterson St., shortly after the parade concludes.

Similar to past years, the free event will travel counterclockwise around the Capitol Square, starting at Wisconsin Avenue and exiting at E. Washington Avenue. Proceeds will benefit Logan’s Heart and Smiles and Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS).

Spectators can expect musical performers, floats, Irish music and family-friendly entertainment throughout the route.

For more information about the parade, including how to volunteer, sponsor or participate, visit https://stpatricksdayparade-msn.squarespace.com/.