How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

Chicago city is one of the cities in USA with larger Irish population, and we Chicagoans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with pride.

I would say from dyeing our Chicago River to getting drunk at Irish Pubs, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago every possible ways.

Today I have come up with list of things to do in Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day.

Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago

Chicago River Dyeing

Watching Green Chicago River is one of the amazing experiences to have in Chicago. Yes, the Chicago River is dyed to look like perfect emerald green color!

They use eco-friendly die to color the river, which stays for 5 hours only. So if you have not been to downtown Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day then I recommend you to visit at least once.

The Chicago River is scheduled to dyed on March 16, between 9:00 am and 2 pm. Make sure to be at Wacker and LaSalle Street to capture lifetime memory.

The Chicago River dyeing can be best viewed from the East side of Michigan Avenue, Upper and Lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Ave and Columbus Drive or The West Side of the Columbus Drive.

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade always occurs on Saturday before the St. Patrick’s Day, if Saint Patrick’s Day doesn’t fall on a Saturday.

This year, St. Patrick’s Day is on Saturday so Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade is going to be on the same day, on March 16 at 12:00 pm.

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade will start on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Monroe Street. The viewing stands will be located in front of Buckingham Fountain.

Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Want to celebrate all things Irish on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago? Plan on attending St. Patrick’s Day festival on Saturday March 16 at Irish American Heritage located at.

This St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Chicago is followed by the downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade.

This St. Patrick’s Day festival features everything Irish, yes, you can enjoy Irish music, food and drinks at the festival.

There are always plenty of things to do for Kids including Arts and craft Fair. You can buy traditional Irish gifts at the festival.

Admission to St. Patrick’s Day festival is not free, admission tickets are $12 for adults and children 12 and under are free.

You can purchase St. Patrick’s Day festival tickets online here! www.irish-american.org

St. Patrick’s Day Booze Cruises on Chicago River

I would also recommend you to take one of cruises, especially scheduled for Chicago river dyeing, on Chicago river on St. Patrick’s Day.

These cruises are scheduled to depart at 8:30 am on the St. Patrick’s Day. Yes, you will be right on the water when boats drop the dye in the Chicago River.

You can check cruises packages such as Wendella St. Patrick’s Day cruises, Spirit of Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Cruises and Odyssey St. Patrick’s Day Cruisess, to find out about the available schedule to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.

Irish Pubs for Food & Drinks

There are plenty of Irish Pubs around the Chicago city. St. Patrick’s Day celebration is not complete without drinking!

Plan on visiting one of the popular Irish pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago and look for the green beer! On St. Patrick’s Day, you can get green beer at selected Irish Pubs.

Spending an evening at one of these Irish pubs in Chicago for drinks and dinner will be perfect. They are likely to be crowded during dinner time.

Following are list of my favorite Irish Pubs in Chicago.

Fado’s Irish Pub located at 100 W. Grand Ave, Chicago
The Gage located at 24 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago
Irish Oak 3511 N. Clark St., Chicago
The Kerryman located at 661 N. Clark St., Chicago
Tim O’Toole’s located at 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., Chicago

Show of Your Irish Pride

Looking for clothing to show off your Irish Pride or Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Check out funny St. Patrick’s Day t-shirts at SassyTshirts.com. Wear one of those funny St. Patrick’s Day shirts to celebrate while hanging out with friends and family.

Planning a visit to Chicago for weekend? Get my free Chicago Weekend Getaway Guide here!

Comments

comments