River O'Green

River O’ Green Festival & St. Patrick’s Day Parade

River O'Green

The 2025 River O’ Green Festival presented by Grow Financial will be hosted in Curtis Hixon Park on March 15 from 11 am – 6 pm, featuring live performances (music, poetry, and the Finnegan Irish Dance Academy), Irish-themed bites and drinks from several food and beverage vendors, contests, prizes, and more. River O’Green Festival is put on each year in coordination with the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Don’t miss Downtown’s BIGGEST Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, as we color the Hillsborough River Green to channel the luck of the Irish!

Hillsborough River dyed green at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

During the festival, beginning at 3 pm, visitors can also watch the 2025 St Patrick’s Day Parade put on the by Tampa Rough Riders, Inc. More information on the event, including bleacher seating can be found here.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Map

At 3 p.m., the parade route will start at Morgan St. and Madison St., then turn onto Ashley Dr., ending at Ashley Dr. and Polk St. Drivers are advised to follow posted signs and be aware of associated road closures near the parade route. Paid parking will be available at multiple City of Tampa Parking Garages, all of which will be open during the weekend festivities.

The River O' Green Festival and St. Patrick's Day Parade are expected to draw a combined crowd of 10,000 visitors. Downtown drivers should be prepared and allot time for heavy traffic congestion, road closures, and detours. Event attendees should arrive early to locate parking or consider using alternative options to get to the festivities, such as the Free TECO Streetcar, Dash Service, HART buses, rentable scooters, or rideshare apps.

Parking and Road Closures map for St. Patrick's Day

In the event of an emergency, alternative routes to Tampa General Hospital include:

From I-275: Take Exit 42 -> Armenia Ave. -> W. Platt St -> S. Hyde Park Ave.

From Kennedy Blvd: -> S. Hyde Park Ave.

From I-4: Take Exit 2 -> Selmon Expressway -> W. Brorein St -> S. Hyde Park Ave.

East from the Selmon Expressway: Take Exit 5 -> W. Brorein St. -> S. Hyde Park Ave.

For the latest road closures and work zone updates, see the road closures page.

Shamrock

River O’ Green Festival & St Patrick’s Day Parade Event Lineup:

  • 11:00AM – Event & River Coloring Begins

Main Stage:

  • 11:15AM - 12:45PM – Irish Buskers (Live Music)
  • 1:15 - 2:45PM – Paddy O’Furniture (Live Music)
  • 3:00PM – St Patrick’s Day Parade
  • 3:30PM – Pet Costume Contest – sponsored by Barrymore Hotel
  • 4:00PM - 5:45PM – George Pennington & The Odyssey (Live Music)

Terrace Stage:

  • 11:30AM – GrowHouse Tampa Poet Performance
  • 1:00PM – Finnegan Irish Dance Academy Performance
  • 2:30PM – GrowHouse Tampa Poet Performance
  • 3:00PM – Finnegan Irish Dance Academy Performance
  • 6:00PM – Event Concludes
Paddy O'Furniture
Kids at River O'Green - Image Credit: Downtown Tampa Partnership

Image Credit: Downtown Tampa Partnership

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Updated: 03/14/2025