With its rich Irish American heritage, Chicago has long been an iconic site for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations which start long before the official holiday next Tuesday.
Things kick off Saturday morning, when the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 will deploy a team on a boat to dye the Chicago River green, as it has every year since 1962. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade then steps off in the afternoon followed by another parade on the Far Southwest Side.
That’s all amidst various special deals at Irish pubs and restaurants across the city and plenty of bar crawls planned for Saturday and Sunday.
Here are some options to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago:
- 8 a.m. Saturday: The Hubbard Street Goes Green street festival in the 100 block of West Hubbard Street in River North features more than 20 DJs and bands, food, drinks and access to several bars.
- 10 a.m. Saturday: Chicago River Dyeing begins on the Chicago River between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street.
- Noon Saturday: Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade steps off at Archer and South Oak Park avenues, heading east to Archer and Merrimac Avenue.
- 12:15 p.m. Saturday: The city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at Columbus and Balbo drives, heading north to Monroe Street.
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday: St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark St., features Irish dancers, music, drinks and crafts.
- Noon Sunday: The South Side Irish Parade steps off at 103rd Street and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th Street and Western Avenue.
- 12:30 p.m. Saturday: The Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., hosts a two-day St. Patrick’s Day festival featuring bands, Irish dancers, cultural performances, crafts, games and a kids area. Sunday’s festival begins at 1 p.m.
- Noon Sunday: The Northwest Side Irish Parade steps off at Onahan School, 6634 W. Raven St., heading south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway and north to Harlem Avenue.
- 2 p.m. Tuesday: The Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., hosts a St. Patrick’s Day party with live music, dancing, food and drinks.