1. River Dyeing
The iconic green river is the first thing most people think of when it comes to Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The tradition started in 1962, and it has become a highlight ever since. Starting this Sat. at 10 a.m., members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 will dump environmentally safe, vegetable-based powder into the river, coloring it for a few hours. The best viewing is said to be on Upper Wacker Drive, and it is suggested to arrive early as spots are highly coveted.
2. Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Sat. fun doesn’t stop there. Following the river dyeing, the downtown parade takes place at 12:15 p.m. on Columbus drive. The procession then proceeds North, concluding at Monroe street. The main viewing stand is at Buckingham Fountain, which is where you can watch groups stop and perform. The parade includes a variety of marching bands, floats, and bagpipers and is always a great time!
3. Irish Village Market
Returning for its second year, the Astound Irish Village Market is the go-to place for an immersive Irish experience. Held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pioneer Court, the market is free to attend and open to all ages. The market showcases local Irish culture through authentic food and beverage stands, Irish art vendors, and performances by Irish dancing groups such as The Trinity Irish Dance Academy. The event is not-for-profit and all donations go towards local Irish charities!
4. Shamrock and Roll Street Festival
The Shamrock and Roll Street Festival is a two-day event on Division street in downtown Chicago. The event features live music with two main stages. They often highlight Celtic groups and include both bagpipers and Irish dancers. The event is fit for families, and kid-friendly activity stations are even provided on Sunday!
5. Shamrock Shuffle
If you are looking for an active alternative to the parties and parades, the Shamrock Shuffle may be for you! This event takes place the weekend after St. Patrick’s Day and kicks off Chicago’s outdoor running season. The races are hosted by the Bank of America and include three different distance options, all starting and finishing in Grant Park. The Mile kicks the weekend off on Sat. March 21st at 11:00 a.m. Then, the 8k race begins the next day at 8:30 a.m. in the morning. The weekend finishes with the two mile walk that allows participants to enjoy the views of the Lakefront Trail.
There is no wrong choice when it comes to Chicago’s extensive St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Whether you are tasting Irish delicacies, watching colorful floats go by, listening to traditional bagpipes, or running through the city, you will certainly feel the Celtic culture shining through. Just make sure you wear your green!
