The best St. Patrick’s Day 2026 events in Chicago

A tradition since 1962, representatives of the Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 pour dye into the Chicago River on the morning of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, turning the water a bright shade of green. The dye is vegetable-based, so the river typically reverts to its usual murky shade by the end of the weekend. The Chicago River dyeing takes place between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street, so snag a spot along Upper Wacker Drive for the best sights. For more viewing locations, check out our guide to the best places to watch the Chicago River dyeing.

After the Chicago River is dyed a murky shade of green, the city's big St. Patrick's Day celebration moves to Grant Park for a parade on Columbus Drive. You'll see bagpipes, drum corps, Irish dancers and politicians at this festive procession (celebrating its 70th year), which is among the largest events of its kind in the country. The parade will start at Balbo Drive and Columbus Drive and proceed north, with a viewing stand situated in front of Buckingham Fountain. For more information, including where to watch and the best places to eat and drink near the route, check out our guide to the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.

When is the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade?

The parade steps off at 12:15pm on Saturday, March 14.

Where is the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade?

The procession starts at Balbo Drive and heads north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Drive.

How much are tickets to Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade?

The event is free to attend, but tickets are available for access to grandstand seating near Buckingham Fountain. Admission is priced at $65 per person and can be purchased here.

The South Side hosts this annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, championing the holiday in some of Chicago's most historically Irish neighborhoods. The procession of floats, bagpipes and marching bands moves south on Western Avenue, beginning at 103rd Street and ending at 115th Street. Though it was once commonplace to find attendees imbibing along the route, there has been a crackdown on drunken behavior in recent years in an effort to make parades throughout the city more family-friendly (in other words, the green beer can wait until after the event).

The Loop and the South Side of Chicago host well-known St. Patrick's Day celebrations, but the city's Northwest Side gets in on the festivities, too! The parade kicks off at noon in front of William J. Onahan School and goes southwest on Neola Avenue and northwest on Northwest Highway to Harlem Avenue.

This South Side community parade put on by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 and the Clear Ridge Men’s Social Athletic Club steps off at noon on March 14 and runs east down Archer Avenue from Oak Park Avenue to Merrimac Avenue. Proceeds from the event will benefit local organizations.

Popular Irish pub Chief O’Neill’s hosts the third annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Avondale. The march kicks off at 10am on March 14, followed by live entertainment and an Irish buffet all day long at Chief O’Neill’s.

The annual Shamrock Shuffle takes place at Grant Park, sending thousands of green-clad participants on an 8K run, two-mile walk or one-mile race through the Loop. As usual, anyone who signs up will get a festive shirt and knit hat, a bib number to display, a finisher's medal and a drink ticket to use at the post-race party.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend the traditional way at the Irish American Heritage Center's annual St. Patrick's Festival, where you'll find a lineup of Irish music, dance, food and kids' activities—including Wiggleworms performances—following the river dyeing and parade downtown. Plus, don't miss the arts and crafts fair featuring Irish gifts and the used book sale in the Library, Art Gallery and Museum.

Looking for something to do after the St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown? On March 14, Old St. Patrick's Church hosts this all-day block party in West Loop featuring a heated beer tent, live music, pub fare, kids events, Irish dancing and plenty of other festivities fit for the city's most Irish holiday. Catch performances from acts like Whiskey Mick, Liam Durkin and One of the Girls while kids enjoy face painters and balloon animals. General admission tickets are $35, but the $65 all-inclusive tickets will score you food and drink as well (not available at door).

Get the St. Patrick’s Day festivities started early in the month with Forest Park’s annual parade. The march will proceed east down Madison Street, from Van Buren Street to Elgin Avenue, starting at 1pm and feature over 65 entrants, including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, local businesses and more.

The 27th annual Chicago Irish Film Festival is back to offer the best features, shorts and documentaries from The Land of Storytelling. This year’s festival will feature screenings at AMC NEWCITY from February 26–March 1, along with virtual programming between February 26–March 8. The lineup includes An Talamh Faoi Gheasa: The Enchanted Land, a Gaelic retelling of an Indian folktale that explores themes of identity and migration. The festival’s full schedule is available online.

Perched on the 11th floor of the St. Regis Chicago, Miru offer spectacular sights of the Chicago River. On March 14, guests will be able to nosh on classic brunch fare and Japanse bites, and enjoy an open bar and live DJ during the restaurant's four-hour party. General admission tickets, available via Tock, are $185 per person; you can also reserve a VIP booth for you and your friends.

Chicago's First Lady provides an up-close look at the green river via a series of two-hour St. Paddy's Day-themed Clover Cruises. For $140 or $175 (dependent on your departure time), you can climb aboard the stately ship and party amid shamrock decor, live bagpipers, Irish-themed cocktails and an open-air deck perfect for peeping the emerald waters below. Plus, all attendees get a corned beef sandwich box. Cruises depart between 10am and 2pm. 

Watch the river turn green from way up high at LondonHouse Chicago's St. Patrick's Day bash, where guests can imbibe bottomless green beer, dance to a live DJ, snack on breakfast bites and catch stunning views of the river dyeing revelry while atop the hotel's 22nd floor outdoor terrace (or from within the indoor lounge, if you're looking to stay warm). General admission tickets include St. Patty's Day swag, a four-hour open bar, breakfast and access to DJ areas.

Looking out from the intersection of State and Wacker, you'll get a great perspective of the River Dyeing at RAISED, located atop the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. Each ticket includes breakfast, green beer, cocktails, mimosas and Bloody Marys—and it's just a short walk to the parade in Grant Park. 

Pizza may not be the most traditional thing to eat during a St. Patrick's Day celebration, but who can resist its appeal? Lettuce Entertain You's riverfront restaurant offers great views of the water shifting colors, accompanied by cocktails, passed apps and plenty of 'za. Tickets start at $185—those who want to go all out have the option of reserving a VIP booth or patio table.