St. Patrick’s Parade Set; Panthers Fall in Horizon League Final

Milwaukee is heading into a busy mid-March stretch, with a major downtown celebration on deck and the close of the college basketball season now official.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns Saturday

The Shamrock Club’s 58th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon on Saturday, March 14, at Martin Luther King Drive and Wisconsin Avenue.

The downtown route will wind through the Westown area before wrapping up near Highland Avenue. Organizers expect tens of thousands of spectators, along with Irish dance schools, pipe and drum corps, and community groups.

A parade-day Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and a post-parade celebration at the St. Brigid Center are also planned. Drivers should expect street closures beginning late Saturday morning.

Panthers’ Tournament Run Ends

Milwaukee’s men’s basketball season came to a close this week in the Horizon League tournament. The Panthers were eliminated during the conference tournament, which concluded Tuesday, March 10, in Indianapolis.

Wright State ultimately claimed the league title and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. For Milwaukee, the loss marks the end of the 2025-26 campaign as the program looks ahead to offseason changes and recruiting.

Irish Festivities Span the Week

Beyond the parade, Irish-themed events are unfolding throughout the week in and around downtown. Organizers say the celebration remains the largest St. Patrick’s gathering in Wisconsin, drawing families and visitors from across the region.

With milder March weather in the forecast, city officials are encouraging attendees to plan ahead, use public transit when possible, and allow extra travel time.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Saint_Patrick%27s_Day_Parade
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamrock_Club_of_Wisconsin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Horizon_League_men%27s_basketball_tournament