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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. 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 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 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 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 As thousands head to downtown Chicago Saturday to watch the Chicago River be dyed green for St. Patrick's Day, many may be wondering what's exactly in the mysterious dye that gives the river its 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 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 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 Chicago River Green. Turning the river a vibrant green to celebrate St. Patrick’s day has been unique to Chicago for the past 40 years. When you see the color it turns you might be surprised to learn that the dye used to create this Irish-worthy color isn’t 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 Share Get 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 “On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s estimated that 1.5 billion dollars are spent on food and drinks!” 💰🍀 “In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day was originally a religious holiday, but now it’s a national celebration!” 🇮🇪🍀 “In Chicago, the river is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day!” 🌊🍀 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 St. Patrick's Day celebrations, held every year on March 17, are naturally associated with good old-fashioned fun. Green-wearing celebrants march in 🚤 Launch the 2025 boating season on Chicago’s iconic Green River 🍹 Party along the Riverwalk with DJ Tecknique and more 🎧 2 levels of music and drinks for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day experience 👓 Free St. Patrick’s Day sunglasses and green beads while supplies last 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 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 When will the Chicago River be dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day? The iconic tradition is set to take place this weekend, kicking off the holiday celebrations in true Chicago fashion and setting
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