What began as a way to break up the winter doldrums and to invigorate the community in preparation for the summer season, the Kelly's St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, has grown to include over one hundred entrants and is watched by over eight thousand attendees making it the largest St. Patrick’s parade in North Carolina.

This year's parade theme is America's 250th Anniversary and participants are encouraged to incorporate A250 in their float decorations. Dare County's A250 float will lead the parade, accompanied by Dare County Schools various marching bands playing patriotic music.

The Kelly’s Annual St. Patrick’s Parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 2026. The parade route runs from Bladen St. (MP 11.5) north to Driftwood St. on Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road).