If you click on the links in this post, we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post, at no extra cost to you. You can read the full disclaimer here.
Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by dyeing the Chicago River green in one of the most unique celebrations in the world. The Plumbers Union will be in boats and will pour the dye at 10 am. The color lasts about 5 hours but is at its brightest after it is poured, so get there early and take pictures. This is done on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day.
Also held on that Saturday is the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The first parade was held in 1843. This year’s parade will begin at noon. The city’s Shannon Rivers Irish Pipe Band has been leading the procession for the past 60 years. You’ll see colorful floats, Irish step dancing, bagpipers, marching bands, leprechauns and so much more. The crowd is estimated to be over 2 million people.
The popular South Side Irish Parade is a family friendly celebration of Irish history. It is in Beverly, a neighborhood with deep Irish roots. This parade will go down Western Avenue. It is happening on Saturday, March 16, 2025, at 12 pm. The crowd is estimated to be at 150,000 people.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the Irish in Chicago, visit the Chicago History Museum.
Northwest Side Irish Parade
Also on Sunday at noon is the Northwest Side Irish Parade. The parade goes through the Norwood Park area, going to Northwest Highway. There will be a huge after party featuring a corned beef and cabbage dinner, cheesecake, beer, wine, soft drinks and live entertainment.
Irish American Heritage Center St. Patrick’s Fest
On Monday, March 17, 2025, the Irish American Heritage Center is having a St. Patrick’s Fest from 4 pm to 11 pm. This will be held in the Fifth Province Pub.
Music Lineup
- 4 pm – The Clancy Brothers
- 6:30 pm – Logram Way
- 8:30 pm – Without Liz
Shamrock’n the Block
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will be hosting their annual Shamrock’n the Block, a pop-up Irish pub. There will be live music, food and a heated tent beer garden. Events for the kids will include a balloon artist, a magician, and Irish dancing lessons. This is happening on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 11 am to 5 pm. The entertainment line up includes Irish dancers. The Pot O’ Gold Raffle has a Grand Prize of $20,000!
Food & Drinks
Do you have a sweet tooth? Stan’s Donuts & Coffee will be serving St. Patrick’s donuts from March 1 through March 31, 2025.
Donuts
These donuts include
- Green river glazed donuts
- Irish cream bismarck donuts
- Chocolate emerald dipped donut
- Shamrock Sprinkles
Seasoned Drinks
- Green Mint Hot Chocolate
- Mint Cold Brew with Cold Foam
- Irish Cream Cold Brew with Cold Foam
- Mint Oreo Shake
Irish Restaurants
And if you’d like a culinary celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, why not go to an Irish eatery? The following restaurants were chosen as the Top 15 Irish restaurants in Chicago by the users of TripAdvisor.
- Fado Irish Pub
- D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
- The Kerryman
- Emerald Loop
- Kitty O’Sheas
- Butch McGinn’s
- Lady Gregory’s Bar & Restaurant
- Chief O’Neill’s
- Wide Bar & Restaurant
- Dublin’s Bard Grill
- Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub
- Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
- Grafton Pub
- Mystic Rogue Irish Pub
- Atlantic Bar & Grill
What to Wear
If you like to dress for the occasion, you can find a lot here. And accessories here.
Hotel Deals
If you’d like to visit Chicago to enjoy the celebrations, you should consider the following hotels that are offering discounted rates.
- Hotel Zachary, Chicago, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – 55% Discount
- Chicago Athletic Association, a Hyatt Hotel – 44% Discount
- The Regis Chicago – 42% Discount
- Four Seasons Chicago – 42% Discount
- La Banque Hotel – 39% Discount
- Quality Inn & Suites Elk Grove Valley O’Hare – 39% Discount
- The Emily Hotel – 34% Discount
- Park Hyatt Chicago – 31% Discount
- Travel Inn – 31% Discount
- The Robey, Chicago, a Member of Design – 30% Discount
- The Hoxton Chicago – 29% Discount
- Viceroy Chicago – 29% Discount
- Sophy Hyde Park – 27% Discount
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile – 26% Discount
- Hampton Inn Chicago North – Loyola – 26% Discount
- Chicago Marriott Midway – 26% Discount
- Waldorf Astoria Chicago – 25% Discount
- Hotel Lincoln – 25% Discount
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago – Midway Airport, an IHG Hotel – 24% Discount
- Majestic Hotel – 24% Discount
- The Ritz Carlton, Chicago – 24% Discount
- Curio Collection by Hilton Navy Pier Chicago – 24% Discount
- The Hotel & Athletic Club at Midtown – 23% Discount
- Hyatt Place Chicago – South – 21% Discount
- Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park – 20% Discount
Other Chicago Activities
Looking for other activities to do during your time in Chicago? You can find lots of activities – all at discounted prices – in our Chicago Travel Budget Guide.