Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

After the Chicago river is dyed a murky shade of green, the city's big, noisy, fun-filled homage to the Irish makes its way through Grant Park on Columbus Drive, with plenty of bagpipes, drum corps, Irish dancers and other merrymakers in tow. Because St. Patrick's Day falls on a Thursday this year, the parade will take place the Saturday before. Find the viewing stand filled with local dignitaries in front of Buckingham Fountain.