Suffolk celebrates St. Patrick's Day all month long

FEB 25, 2026

By Patrick Pollard

Image Curtousy of GreaterLongIsland.com

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, Suffolk County is going to turn green very soon.  In recent years the celebration of the holiday has run rampant in Suffolk County, with many towns throwing their own parade.  From Lindenhurst to Jamesport, the Irish spirit has a hold on the month of March here. 

St. Patrick’s Day parades are a tradition as old as time, with NYC hosting one every year since 1762.   While it took a while for the Island to follow suit, The Huntington Hibernians, an Irish American club here on the island, were the first to host a local St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1930.   Now in 2026, there are a multitude of parades to choose from.

The tradition was born as a way for the Irish to celebrate their culture but now has turned into a time for everyone to celebrate the culture.  In 2026, people can start celebrating as soon as March 1^st, in East Islip, who is hosting the first parade of the month.  In-between then and the end of the month, there are 12 other parades in separate towns for the people of Suffolk to enjoy.

Those that partake in the festivities get to enjoy more than just a parade in most cases. Towns shut down major roads, have vendors, and even local restaurants participate in the events as well.   Not only do people get to enjoy an Irish themed day, but local businesses keep the towns thriving. 

Bay Shore is a great example of this. In 2025 the towns paradehonored president and CEO of Suffolk County OTB, Phil Boyle, as grand Marshall. Photos from the event show shut down streets, and a multitude of business participating in the event.  

Bay Shore like many other towns in the county, does a great job combining tradition with the people that make these towns so enjoyable. The towns incentivize members of the community to participate in these parades as it isn’t just festivities, it’s a celebration where favorite local businesses get involved.

With over 12 parades in the month of March, it seems as if 2026 will be no different in celebration.  Towns such as Lindenhurst, Montauk, Babylon, Bay Shore, and Patchogue are all bringing back their parades this year meaning there will be no shorting of festivities to participate in. 

With March right around the corner, it is time to bust out the green.  Restaurants, towns, and clubs are ready to kick off St. Patrick’s Day for 2026.  The parades, now a long running tradition, are meant for community members to celebrate Irish culture, and relax.  The evidence shows that this year will be no different.