2013 Houston Saint Patrick's Day Parade: 54th Annual St. Patrick's Parade-Saturday, March 16th, 2013 at Noon-Rain or Shine! The Houston St. Patrick's Parade has always been a FREE event. The two-hour parade has historically been one of the largest in the U.S. and each year includes over 100 entries to delight the Irish and Irish-at-heart. The Houston St. Patrick's Day Parade is presented by the Houston St. Patrick's Parade Commission. Houston's St. Patrick's Day Parade is rooted firmly in the city's heritage. The first parades date back to the 1880's when the parade (always on St. Patrick's Day) started in "Irish Town" by old St. Patrick's Church, which was located on Harrisburg.