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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. 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. It all started with a grand idea from Mayor Richard J. Daley, who wanted to turn Lake Michigan green for St. Patrick's Day. When he realized how ambitious of a task that would be, he settled for 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) 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 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 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 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 As is tradition, the Chicago River will be turned green for St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 15. Crews start the process in the morning, working from Columbus Drive to Orleans Street, and the 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 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 St. Patrick's Day celebrations, held every year on March 17, are naturally associated with good old-fashioned fun. Green-wearing celebrants march in It's the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 (bet you weren't expecting that!), and all it takes is 50 pounds of dye, a couple of motorboats and 45 minutes to turn a portion of the 156 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. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: An aerial picture shot with a drone shows the Chicago River as it flows through downtown after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 13 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. Other St. Patrick's Day events in Chicago 2025 . Archer Ave. St. Patrick's Day Parade. A celebration of Chicago's working families, the Archer Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade is also scheduled for 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 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 We all know the St. Patrick’s Day green river dyeing in Chicago is a beloved tradition. There’s a reason people come from all over the world to see the Chicago River famously turn an emerald color to celebrate the holiday—it’s truly one of the most exciting events of St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
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