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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 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 Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Chicago River Dyeing and other events happening this St. Patrick's weekend. CHICAGO - If you've ever wondered why Chicago dyes the river green 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’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 But it’s far from the city’s only St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The dyeing of the Chicago River — to green, of course — was added to the main parade in 1962 and has quickly become one 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 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. The city's downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at Columbus and Balbo drives in Grant Park. The parade It's fun to imagine there's a mystical connection between St. Patrick's Day and the Chicago River turning green every year in mid-March — something involving magical leprechauns and enchanting 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 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. 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 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 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 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 Chicago will once again go all out for St. Patrick’s Day this year with one of the city’s most iconic traditions: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing. The Chicago River Dyeing for 2025 is scheduled 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 Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Chicago with green river dyeing, parades, cruises, and festive events. Explore Irish food, drinks, and more!
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