PHOTOS: Every Float at Billings’ 2024 St Patrick’s Day Parade

A great day for a parade in Billings, MT.

Mostly cloudy skies set the mood for one of Montana's most enjoyable parades on Saturday morning (3/16) in Downtown Billings. My spouse and kids got an early-for-us start and we headed into Billings for the festivities.

Insider tip: if you rarely venture downtown, the parking garages are a great resource. You can almost always find a spot to park and most of the garages are within 2 - 3 blocks of wherever you're probably headed. The four city-owned parking garages accept cash or cards and are $1.25 per hour. Quick math: $5 for four hours.

Read More: Party the St. Patrick's under Billings' Skypoint

Bystanders were overheard wishing for some sunshine to pop through the clouds as we walked a couple of blocks from the parking garage to our parade post. It had been a few years since I'd attended the event and we were anticipating a fun day of Irish revelry. Despite a forecast of sunshine and a warm day, temps hovered in the low 40s with grey skies. My kid and I both wished we brought heavier jackets.

Thousands of residents were lining up early along the downtown parade route.

Many were decked out in greenery and the atmosphere was jovial for the 41st annual Billings St Patrick's Day Parade, typically held on the Saturday closest to the March 17th Irish holiday. Food trucks and Celtic fair craft vendors lined the streets on the blocks surrounding Skypoint, the epicenter of the action. A stage is set for live music with the Repeat Offenders returning for the afternoon concert.

With the crowd pressing tighter, Billings' 2024 St. Patrick's Day Parade started rolling just after 11 AM. It was led by a Billings Police Department SUV, followed by the presentation of the Colors. We settled in to enjoy the show. Below is a photo gallery of every float we captured as they drifted by.