As a proud Chicagoan, I truly believe my city to rank the best in multiple areas – food, skyline views, sports stadiums, and the best summer weather (you just cannot beat a Midwest summer!) but St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are something that Chicago has always reigned supreme in – and here’s why.
One of the most iconic traditions synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is, without a doubt, the annual dyeing of the Chicago River. Dating back to 1962, the Chicago Plumbers Union used small amounts of a specialized green dye to identify the source of leaky pipes. The union thought the dye could be a fun way for Chicago to show it’s pride during the March 17 holiday. Now, every year, on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, the union dumps about 100 gallons of the dye into the water – transforming the river into a vibrant shade of emerald green. (Don’t worry, the dye is perfectly safe and has no harmful effects on the river’s wildlife). On that day, you can expect tens of thousands of people flocking to the river to catch a glimpse. Even though it’s the same sight every year, for some reason it never gets old.
Just south of the river, Chicago boasts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country that’s been happening since 1843. Colorful floats, bagpipes, Irish dancers and marching bands, it’s a great way to witness the city’s Irish pride.
Chicago’s Irish roots run deep, which is why you can expect events happening for quite a few weeks leading up to March 17. From Irish folk bands to pub crawls, to the annual Siamsa na nGael, there’s plenty of ways to get into the spirit! But my favorite way? A cozy, dark Irish pub. Here’s my top Irish pubs to grab a pint in Chicago:
- The Kerryman
- Wilde
- Fado
- The Galway Arms
- O’Callaghan’s
If you’re planning a trip to Chicago around St. Patrick’s Day, book your hotel early and make sure to order the burger at Kerryman before visiting Galway Arms for traditional Irish music. Oh – and remember to wear green! Sláinte!
