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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 the story, the dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the Chicago River turned the water green, and the idea was born to dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. 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 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. CHICAGO - For over 60 years, Chicago has celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a splash of vibrant green, transforming the Chicago River into a dazzling spectacle. Here's everything you need to know The very next year, with the approval of Mayor Richard J. Daley, the Chicago Plumbers Union used 100 pounds of the same dye to purposely stain the Chicago River green for St. Paddy‘s Day. Parades, bagpipes, parties, and the explosion of green will once again sweep through the city starting Saturday for Chicago’s iconic St Patrick’s Day celebrations. On Saturday the weekend will kick off at 10 am with the famous river dying which sees the Chicago River turn emerald green using an environmentally-friendly vegetable-based dye Chicago’s famous green river for St. Patrick’s Day started with a simple idea in the 1960s, formulated by the head of the Plumbers’ Union Local 130. “Stephen M. Bailey had the idea when The Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day means green will be seen all around the city — including the Chicago River. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to catch a parade or the river According to the story, the dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the Chicago River turned the water green, and the idea was born to dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The Chicago River is about to get its annual St. Patrick’s Day dye job on Saturday. This decades-old tradition routinely attracts tens of thousands of revelers to the riverfront, but in recent years it’s also attracted criticism from environmentalists. Sure, the spectacle of a neon ribbon of 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 Things to Do Chicago typically goes all out for St. Patrick's Day, and 2025 will likely be no exception. From the iconic river dyeing to a handful of parades scattered across the city, there's no shortage of According to the story, the dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the Chicago River turned the water green, and the idea was born to dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Get your green on down at the Chicago River on Saturday, March 15th! It's totally free to watch the river get dyed green at 10AM. If you want the best views, post up at Upper Wacker Drive. I'm telling you, prime views of the river, great spots to take photos, and celebrate the moment with friends As Chicago prepares for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, it's that time of year when members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 dye the city’s river green. One of the most colorful Chicago traditions is on the horizon: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The legendary event, which dates back more than 60 years, takes place CHICAGO -- Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day and Chicago makes no exceptions! Every year, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dyes the Chicago River green by using a secret Residents will turn out in droves on Saturday to mark St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a dyed-green Chicago River and a parade, but will rain spoil the party? The annual events are attended by The dyeing of the Chicago River has been a big annual celebration since 1962. The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union starts the big task of pouring 50 pounds of dye into a quarter-mile stretch of the river, from Columbus Dr. to State St – The exact mixture of the dye is a bit of a secret, but it’s known to be an orange-red, vegetable-based powder.
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