St Patrick's Day 2025 - arriving the day after- crowds??

Question

Reading on this forum about how congested and busy St Patrick's Day gets. It is on a Monday this year. We planned to arrive for a few days on Tuesday the 18th. Will it still be crazy town? Or is all the celebrating likely to take place the weekend prior?

Answer

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is one of the biggest celebrations in the U.S., so it’s understandable to be concerned about crowds. Here's what you can expect if you're arriving the day after the big event in 2025:

Crowds on March 18, 2025 (the day after St. Patrick's Day)

While the largest and most intense crowds will certainly be around the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, which happen on Monday, March 17, 2025, the day after (Tuesday, March 18) will still see a significant amount of lingering activity. Many people who traveled for the parade and celebrations may still be around, especially in the Historic District. Some of the bars, restaurants, and shops may still be crowded as people recover from the weekend’s festivities. However, the chaos will have mostly dissipated by Tuesday, and the city will begin to return to its usual pace.

Here’s a general breakdown:

Monday (St. Patrick’s Day): Expect very heavy crowds, especially around the parade (held in the morning) and events on River Street. The Historic District will be packed with revelers, and many streets will be closed to accommodate foot traffic. The atmosphere is vibrant, but also a bit hectic, with a lot of street parties and festivities.
Tuesday (March 18): While it won’t be as chaotic as Monday, there will likely still be some lingering crowds. People who came to celebrate may be checking out the city or recovering from the festivities. The streets around River Street and the Historic District might still feel a bit busier than usual, but you should be able to move around more easily. Hotels and restaurants may still be a bit crowded, but things will settle down as the day progresses.
What to expect in terms of crowds: By the 18th, while there will still be some remnants of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the worst of the crowding will likely be over. The city will return to normal with fewer tourists than on the actual holiday, but still expect a lively atmosphere in the downtown area as many people will be lingering or spending an extra day in the city.

Will it still be crowded on the 18th?

Yes, there will still be some crowds, but they should be significantly lighter than the 17th. The majority of the big events (like the parade) will have ended by the 18th, so it won’t be as hectic as during the weekend or on the day of the parade. The biggest congestion will be gone, but you’ll still find some celebrations and possibly a few hangovers around town.

Things to Consider:

If you want to avoid any residual crowds, consider staying a little outside of the Historic District and exploring some quieter neighborhoods like the Victorian District or along the outskirts of downtown.
If you want to experience the aftermath of St. Patrick's Day, many bars and restaurants will likely still be lively and serve green beer and Irish-themed food, so it could still be a fun, festive atmosphere.
For a quieter experience, try exploring Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, or taking a riverboat tour. These attractions are less likely to be impacted by the St. Patrick’s Day crowding.

In conclusion, while the worst of the crowds will likely have cleared by the 18th, you’ll still experience a bit of the festive atmosphere and some lingering crowds in the most popular areas of the city. If you’re looking to avoid the largest crowds, the day after St. Patrick’s Day can still be a good time to visit, but expect the city to be somewhat lively.

Enjoy your trip to Savannah!