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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. Irish step dancers participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Tens of thousands took advantage of record high temperatures and sunny weather to attend the Chicago's St. Patrick's Day history stretches back more than 175 years, in fact. St. Patrick’s Day river cruises. When: Saturday, March 15, during Chicago River dyeing, begins at 10 a.m. The 70 th annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive shortly after the river is dyed green, according to officials. When does the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade take place? Bagpipers play during the Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 11, 2023 in Chicago. (Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune) 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 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. Credit: Kathleen Hinkel/Block Club Chicago Chicago River Dyeing & St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15. Various locations Downtown 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 Here's what you need to know about the Chicago River Dyeing, the city's St. Patrick's Day parades and more. By NBC Chicago Staff • Published February 10, 2025 • Updated on February 10, 2025 at 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 Chicago is gearing up for a weekend full of St. Patrick's Day parades and citywide celebrations. Here's what you need to know. St. Patrick's Day is on Monday, March 17. The two annual parades are 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. For more than 60 years, the Windy City has been turning the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.It started in 1961, when Stephen Bailey, the business manager of the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Boat Cruises. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Chicago Sport and Social Club aboard the Island Party Hut! Grab your green gear, round up your crew, and get ready for a shamrockin’ good time as we cruise the Chicago River in style on Saturday, March 15th, 2025. Option 1: St. Patrick’s Day River Dye Cruise. Time: 10:00 AM 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 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 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. 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 Shortly after the river dyeing, the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade will step off, beginning at 12:15 p.m. at the intersection of Balbo Drive and Columbus Drive, with the parade proceeding north The river dyeing can be viewed along the river from Upper Wacker Drive. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 12:15 p.m. at Balbo and Columbus Drive proceeding north to Monroe Street.
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