During one of the busiest and most beloved holidays in Chicago, St. Patrick's Day, traffic around the city can get a little unpredictable. With parades and increased foot track, the city of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) has posted street closures for the weekend. Here’s how parade routes will impact parking and driving around the city.
Chicago River Dyeing and Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Chicago River dyeing will begin at 10am on Saturday, March 16 just west of the Columbus Street bridge. The Riverwalk will be closed from 11pm Friday, March 15 until 6am on Sunday, March 17.
The downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade will begin at 12:15pm on Saturday at Balbo and Columbus Drives moving north toward Monroe Street. Street closures are expected as early as 8am on Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Wacker Drive and east/west street in those boundaries, according to OEMC.
Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at noon at Archer Avenue and South Oak Park, moving south from Oak Park to Archer Avenue, east on Archer toward Narragansett Street and south on Narragansett to 5600 S. Narragansett Street. The parade is expected to end around 2pm.
South Side Irish Parade
On Sunday, March 17, the South Side Irish Parade will start at noon at 103rd Street and Western Avenue, moving south toward 115th Street and Western Avenue. Parking restrictions will begin on Sunday from 8am to 3:30pm—parade-goers should expect parking restrictions on both sides of Western Avenue between 103rd and 112th streets. Street closures along the parade route will begin as early as 8am on Sunday until the parade concludes at 3pm.
Northwest Side Irish Parade
The Northwest Side Irish Parade begins at noon on Sunday, March 17 from Onahan Elementary School, at 6634 W. Raven Street. The parade will move south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway and north on Harlem Avenue in Norwood Park. Northwest Highway will be closed to vehicles beginning at 9am on Sunday and parking restrictions are expected to start at 5am in the area.