03/16/2025
Get Directions
Get Ready for the 2025 Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade!
The Outer Banks is known around the world for its amazing beaches and nautical history, but did you also know that it's home to the LARGEST St. Patrick's Day parade in North Carolina?? Every March since 1990, Nags Head completely transforms into a sea of green on the beach road - along the actual Atlantic Ocean! Get ready to celebrate your Irish heritage and the legacy of the Irish immigrants who came to North Carolina or simply have some fun as we're all Irish for a day at the Kelly's Annual Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade! Whether you're a regular who wouldn't miss it for the world or a visitor coming for the first time and hoping to enjoy the fun and freedom of the Outer Banks in the non-summer months, this family-friendly afternoon is the ideal way to celebrate spring and support the local community with fun floats, candy, and marching bands for a full mile!
Event Details
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Nags Head (MP 11.5 @ Bladen Street to Driftwood Street on Virginia Dare Trail AKA Beach Road)
Admission: Free!
What to Expect
Get ready for floats, bands, local officials, walking dogs, horses, the roller derby, and more! Here's what you can expect to see and experience at the parade.
- Each year, it's estimated that almost 10,000 people attend the parade each year and nearly 2,000 people participate in the parade itself! So be prepared for there to be a LOT of people on this stretch of mile. But trust us, you will NOT want to miss out on this!
- Local marching bands regularly attend as do Tidewater Pipes & Drums, so the air is alight with traditional Irish music and fun band stand classics!
- Local businesses, community groups, churches, and government agencies build floats and walk in the parade, so you'll get an idea of how active and alive the OBX community is year-round! Plus, the bright, colorful floats are ALWAYS creative and fun to see!
- Don't forget the cool classic cars! There's always a fun variety of classic cars in the parade. And keep an eye out for the fun reversible car that is sure to be a laugh for the kids!
- Speaking of kids - be sure to bring bags or buckets! Parade participants often toss candy or beads, making this an unforgettable memory for your littles.
- Wear your green! This isn't called the greenest mile in North Carolina for nothing!
Get ready to have fun for the whole family!! This parade welcomes visitors of all ages and is family-friendly, meaning it's a local and visitor staple for making memories! Get ready to wear your green and have some fun because there's something for everyone at the Kelly's St. Patrick's Day Parade!
Best Places to Watch
The parade starts on E. Bladen Street and heads north to Driftwood Street on the Beach Road. You'll see people setting up hours beforehand on the side of the road and you may need to get here early to secure parking (unless you can walk - which is ideal!) but here are some of our favorite spots to set up your beach chair or towel for the festivities.
- Bladen Street Public Beach Access (Parade Start)
- Bonnet Street Public Beach Access (Right across from Galaxy Golf)
- Barnes Street Public Beach Access
- Baltic Street Public Beach Access
- Abalone Street Public Beach Access
Join the Celebration This Year!
Whether you're participating or attending, you do NOT want to miss out on the Kelly's Annual Outer Banks St. Patrick's Day Parade. Once you attend, you'll never want to miss it again! So grab your green, your beach chair, and your Irish cheer and get ready to become a part of this annual OBX family tradition that spans generations!
Have some amazing photos from this year or last year? Tag us at @OuterBanks and share your memories with us this year!
Book your stay today in one of our cozy vacation rentals and explore all the best and brightest that the Outer Banks has to offer. Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 or take a look at our available rentals to get started planning your next unforgettable adventure to the Outer Banks. There so much to do and see. With amazing food and drinks, exciting excursions, and plenty of sand for everyone to relax, there's something for everyone here on the Outer Banks.
And don't forget about our layaway plan, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year round and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.
FIND THE PERFECT VACATION HOME BY CATEGORY:
- Dog-Friendly Rentals
- Oceanfront Rentals
- Rentals with a Private Pool
- New to Seaside
- Group Travel and Event Homes
- Any Day Stays
Or by City:
Explore our website and give us a call to help kick-start your unforgettable Outer Banks vacation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Bluesky, Reddit, and TikTok to stay up to date on all of our specials, new & featured homes, and tips & tricks for making the most of your next Outer Banks vacation.
We’ll see you at the beach.
