Chicago is ready to paint the town green—literally—as it dives into St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this weekend. With its rich Irish heritage, the Windy City is pulling out all the stops, starting with the iconic dyeing of the Chicago River on Saturday morning.
The River Goes Green
The transformation kicks off at 10 a.m. on March 15, when the Chicago River will shimmer emerald for the 63rd year running. Want the best view? Head to Upper Wacker Drive between State Street and Columbus Drive, as recommended by CBS News. The lower Riverwalk will be off-limits except for a few ticketed events, and most bridges crossing the river will close during the dyeing—except for Orleans Street, Columbus Drive, and LaSalle Street.
This quirky tradition dates back to 1962, sparked by a suggestion from Mayor Richard J. Daley to turn Lake Michigan green. Instead, Stephen M. Bailey, a savvy Chicago Plumbers Union manager, proposed dyeing the river using a pollution-tracking solution that doubled as a festive green tint, according to the Chicago Tribune. The first attempts dumped 100 pounds of oil-based fluorescein into the water, keeping it green for nearly a week. After environmental pushback, organizers switched to an eco-friendly vegetable-based powder in 1966—25 pounds of an orange mix that magically turns green in the water. The exact recipe? A closely guarded secret.
Today, it takes just two boats to pull off the feat: a larger one with a four-person crew sifting the powder into the river, and a smaller one with two people spreading it out between Wabash Avenue and Columbus Drive. In about 45 minutes, the river hits peak vibrancy, glowing green for hours—or even days—depending on the weather.
A Weekend Packed with Parades
The river dyeing is just the opener for Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza. The city will host not one, but three parades over the weekend. The big downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls out Saturday at 12:15 p.m., starting at Balbo and Columbus Drive and marching north along Columbus, with the main viewing stand at Buckingham Fountain. Then on Sunday, the South Side Irish Parade and Northwest Side Irish Parade keep the party going.
This year’s downtown parade Grand Marshal is Mark McManus, General President of the United Association, leading the charge for a celebration that’s as much about community as it is about Irish pride.
Getting There
With massive crowds expected, public transit is your best bet. Here’s how to navigate:
- Blue or Red Lines: Hop off at any Loop stop and head east to Columbus Drive.
- Brown, Green, or Orange Lines: Exit along Wabash and walk east.
- Metra: Get off at Union Station and stroll seven blocks east.
- Bus: Check CTA for the easiest downtown routes.
Driving? From the north or northwest, take I-94 and exit at Washington, Monroe, or Congress Parkway, then hunt for parking near Wells or Wabash. From the west, I-290 east to Congress Parkway works, with spots south of Michigan Avenue. Coming from the south or southwest? I-94 into the Loop, exiting at Congress, Monroe, or Washington, should do the trick. Parking’s tight, so arrive early.
Why Chicago Goes All Out
From its Irish immigrant roots to its modern-day flair, Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day is a spectacle like no other. The green river—a tradition born from ingenuity and a touch of mischief—sets the tone for a weekend of music, dancing, and shamrock-spangled fun. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, this is one celebration you won’t want to miss. Slainte!
