What do actor Carmen Electra, American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman, Chicago Bears legend Dan Hampton, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders all have in common? They will all be part of the First Ever 23rd Annual World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2026, in Hot Springs, Arkansas!
The Bridge Street LIVE Entertainment district opens at 3pm on Tuesday, with O'Kelley's World's Largest Inflatable Pop-Up Pub at the intersection of Convention Blvd. and Malvern Ave. The Blarney Stone $100 Kissing Contest starts at 4pm, and pre-parade festivities begin at 5pm. Keep in mind that Bridge Street is only 98 feet long, so if you want a good viewing spot, you'll want to get there early. That's why we recommend checking into our Hot Springs, AR bed and breakfast on Monday. We'll serve breakfast at Tiffany's with an Irish flair to start your St. Patrick's Day right, and then you might want to sneak back upstairs for a short nap before you head downtown for all the fun!
What is Bridge Street? It's the World's Shortest Street in Everyday Use according to Ripley's Believe It or Not. It intersects with Central Ave., just a few blocks from Bathhouse Row. On St. Patrick's Day, this short little street is packed with a whole lot of fun and quirkiness! The official measuring of the parade route happens at 6:25 pm. Matt Iseman, host of the hit show "American Ninja Warriors", will be the official parade starter. Carmen Electra is this year's Grand Marshal. After the parade (which usually lasts about an hour), a yet to be named musical guest will perform a free concert immediately following the parade.
Some former parade guests have been Paw Patrol, FLW fishing legend Charlie Evans, the Irish Elvis impersonators, the world's tallest leprechaun, quirky floats, a marching band, and the Irish belly dancers! EVERYBODY is Irish in Hot Springs on St. Patrick's Day! Don't forget to pack something green (the more outrageous, the better you'll fit in!), and join us in Hot Springs for the short parade with the really long name!! You're not going to want to miss a minute of this fun, and remember that many of our neighboring states are on spring break that week, so plan your Arkansas getaway soon!