India, March 17 -- New York City has turned festive on Tuesday morning as the St. Patrick's Day Parade kicked off, filling Fifth Avenue with music, marching bands and cheering crowds.

The parade stepped off at Fifth Avenue, heading uptown past St. Patrick's Cathedral and ending at 79th Street. More than 150,000 people take part in the parade every year, with around two million spectators watching along the route.

The 2026 Grand Marshal is Robert James McCann, who serves as the board chair of the Irish Arts Center, working to strengthen cultural and civic ties between Ireland and the US.

Several streets in Manhattan will be closed for the parade, including parts of Fifth Avenue between 43rd Street and 79th Street.

Formation areas inclu...