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The history of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago goes back more than 175 years. Now a longstanding tradition, Chicago’s Irish parade was first held in 1843. The dyeing of the Chicago River was added in 1962, quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most famous events. Here’s a roundup of 45 ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago: Parades Crowds watch as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day by the Plumber’s Local 130 in Chicago on March 11, 2023. "The dying of the river green is such a public event that it helped concretize the celebration of St. Patrick's day in the city," Peter Alter, chief historian at the Chicago History Museum, told The tradition returns this year thanks to the Chicago group that has been dyeing the river green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day for decades By Grace Erwin • Published March 3, 2025 Soak in the vibrant green waters from aboard Seadog on St. Patrick's Day. Guests can watch the river dyeing at 10am from the docked boat—the 45-minute cruise will commence afterwards. Cruises Chicago Goes Green: St. Patrick's Day in Chicago St. Patrick's Day in Chicago is memorable experience for Chicagoans as well as visitors. You will be surprised that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated throughout the city every year. Main attractions are green river and parade. You will have great time experiencing vibrant parade and viewer’s favorite event of dyeing of the Chicago River. Truth Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Loop, Saturday, March 16, 2024. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Share Get According to a well-researched 2024 Block Club Chicago feature by Linze Rice, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago was held in 1843 and included citizens, a band and a military group of The Chicago River dyed green for St. Patrick's Day (view from the 41st floor of Swissotel Chicago). Courtesy Alani Vargas The Chicago River will be transformed into a green hue on Saturday, March St. Patrick's Day Parade The main parade will be held Saturday, March 15 at 12:15 but entry to the parade begins at 11 a.m., according to the official parade website. Lake County News-Sun; Naperville Sun; Post-Tribune; Mike Butler, who was in charge of dying the Chicago River green for St. Patrick’s Day for more than 40 years, died July 12, 2016. He was 81. Boats launched by the Journeyman Plumbers Union Local 130 dumped dye into the Chicago River Saturday morning – turning it a vibrant green. It's an annual tradition – as, of course, is the St According to organizers, the Chicago River will be dyed green beginning at 10 a.m. on Sat., Mar. 11, between State Street and Columbus Drive. And at 12:30 p.m., the St. Patrick's Day parade will After the dyeing, the 2024 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade will step off at Columbus and Balbo at 12:15 p.m. Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Continue your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the return of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle! The streets of Chicago will turn green again with a weekend full of events for everyone. Get ready for front-row seats to this historic event with Chicago Yacht Events & WAMI LIVE INC. Join us on St. Patrick’s Day morning on Chicago’s Green River! We’ll celebrate as we cruise along the river walk and into the lake, creating the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day party on the water! Chicago Very own DJ Lineup: - ★ DJ Tecknique St. Patrick's Day Evening Lake Michigan Shamrock Cruise. Chicago Green River Dying. Saturday, March 15th 10:00am The Most Unique St. Patrick's Day Tradition! West Loop and Fulton Market. Bandit; Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Bandit on Two, the second floor of Bandit, on Saturday, March 15, 2025. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., ticket holders can enjoy a private event featuring a standard open bar with mimosas and well cocktails, passed bar bites, and festive green décor and swag. Fun fact, dyeing the river green was originally an idea of then Chicago Mayor Richard Joseph Daley (1955-1976) when he saw a plumber's pants dyed green from the chemical they were using to detect leaks in the river. Metra is proud to join the festivities as a participant in Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15 starting at noon. While you enjoy the celebration, spot the Metra float featuring our employees and their families as they showcase our commitment to serving and connecting communities. Let Metra Be Your Designated Driver. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Get ready to dance the night away at one of Chicago's largest and longest running Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. The 49th annual Forever Green Party is Friday, March 8, at
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