DALLAS — Dallas' party of the year is almost here.
The 43rd Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival is set for Saturday, March 16, along Greenville Avenue in Dallas. The event and surrounding after-parties draw tens of thousands of people to the area each year, and the parade is billed as the largest St. Patrick's Day event in the Southwest.
So if you're not going the parade and festival, it's probably best to avoid Greenville Avenue on Saturday.
But if you're looking for a party, it's right where you want to be.
Here's everything to know, including how to avoid getting in a traffic mess:
When is the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade?
Saturday, March 16
What time is the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade?
The parade will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but the festival starts earlier, at 9 a.m., and runs to 3 p.m.
How much does the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade cost?
The parade and festival are free to attend.
What is the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade route?
The parade will start on Greenville Avenue at Blackwell Street, just north of Northwest Highway, and head south to SMU Boulevard, a distance of about two miles.
Who is this year's Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall?
Stars legend Mike Modano! It's fitting timing, too. Modano's statue outside of the American Airlines Center is being unveiled Saturday afternoon.
Where can you park for the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade?
The short answer: Parking is limited, try to take DART to the Mockingbird, Lovers Lane and Park Lane stations if you can. Restaurants along the parade route might offer paid parking, but no parking will be allowed along the parade route, or at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m:
Central Expressway Service Road from Mockingbird to Park Lane; Meadows Building, Campbell Center, Comerica Bank, AT&T Concentra Care, CVS and Office Depot parking lots.
What roads are closed near the Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade?
Dallas officials are shutting down several streets, aside from the parade route closure along Greenville Avenue.
First, there's the. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K that starts at 8 a.m. that will force the following road closures starting at 6 a.m. until runners pass through:
- E. University Blvd. – from N. Central Expwy. to Skillman St.
- Skillman St. – from E. University Blvd. to Southwestern Blvd.
- Southwestern Blvd. – from Skillman St. to Caruth Haven Ln.
- Caruth Haven Ln. – from Southwestern Blvd. to Greenville Ave.
- Greenville Ave. – from Caruth Haven Ln. to east of Energy Square.
For the parade and festival, the following roads will be closed:
- Greenville Avenue from Park Lane to Mockingbird Lane, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Southbound Matilda Street from Milton Street to Sandhurst Lane, 8 a.m. to noon
For the annual St. Patrick's Day Block Party on Lower Greenville, the following closures will be in place:
- Greenville Avenue between 2700 and 3000 blocks, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Goodwin Avenue from Worcola Street to Matilda Street
- Vanderbilt Avenue from Worcola Street to Greenville Avenue
- Greenville Avenue from Vanderbilt Avenue to Vickery Boulevard
And the following streets will be one-way westbound during the same time period:
- Monticello Avenue
- Ridgedale Avenue
- Vanderbilt Avenue
- Goodwin Avenue
- Vickery Boulevard
- Miller Avenue
And these streets will be one-way eastbound:
- Marquita Avenue
- Vanderbilt Avenue
- Llano Avenue
- Velasco Avenue
Greenville Avenue south of Mockingbird Lane will be open to traffic by 7 p.m., officials say.