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.

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.

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.