ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND RIVER DYEING

When: March 17, 2019

Where:  Columbus Dr and Wacker Dr

Over the years, Chicago has been named the best city for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration! The Chicago River goes green between Columbus and Wacker drives. Then festivities continue after as revelers parade up Columbus Dr. with floats and flags to the sound of bagpipes.

The dyeing of the river has been a favorite tradition for many generations, attracting thousands of people dressed in green to see the action live. And by thousands, we mean 400,000 of your closest Irish loving friends! Sadly, the coloring only lasts for about five hours, so be sure to get there right when it happens.

St. Patrick’s Festival

When: March 16-17

Where:  Irish American Heritage Center

Celebrate all things Irish at the annual St. Patrick’s Festival on Saturday, March 16. This day-long celebration is one of Chicago’s largest, where all the fun happens under one roof!

The festivities follow the downtown parade and are packed with traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drink for purchase, children’s activities and an Arts and Craft Fair, with vendors selling Irish gifts. Visit the Library, Art Gallery and Museum for programming and exhibits, Irish language lessons, genealogy workshops and a book sale.

SHORELINE ST. PATRICK’S DAY ARCHITECTURE RIVER TOURS

When: March 15-18, 2019

Where:  Navy Pier

Shoreline Sightseeing will run its Architecture River Tours for St. Patrick’s Day weekend Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17. The pre-season, 60-minute tours will depart from Shoreline’s docks at Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier and the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

Led by Shoreline’s expert, entertaining guides, Architecture River Tours highlight more than 40 of Chicago’s world-famous landmark buildings. Guides share the inside stories behind Chicago’s historic architecture as well as the latest news on the 21st century Chicago landmarks now under development.

Northwest Side Irish Parade

When: March 17, 2019

Where:  William J. Onahan School

The Northwest Side Irish Parade is a celebration of faith, family, and heritage on the Northwest side of Chicago. Founded 16 eyars ago with the goal of bringing the Chicago’s Northwest side area a celebration of Irish involvement in the American experience, the Northwest Side St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee has grown. Come to march in your neighborhood alongside your friends and colleagues!

Siamsa na nGael

When: March 12, 2019

Where:  Symphony Center

This year’s celebration will tell the story through songs, dance and narrative of the fierce Irish woman who devoted herself to community, organizing and advancing the rights of workers. She became “a friend to those who had no friend” and said of herself, “My address is wherever there is a fight against oppression.” This remarkable woman helped shape child labor laws that still stand today.

Gaelic Storm

When: March 15-16, 2019

Where:  House of Blues

It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own town after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes a true anomaly. This multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and as you can imagine, after two decades and over 2000 shows, it is a true force to be reckoned with. With their latest release, “Go Climb a Tree,” their music has never sounded more representative of themselves as musicians and as live performers. The band attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience, and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure.

44th Annual Forever Green

When: March 8, 2019

Where:  Theater on the Lake

Celebrating its 44th anniversary, Forever Green has been a tradition among Chicago’s Irish community, young and old alike. What started in a basement as a small gathering among friends, Forever Green has grown to become Chicago’s largest

St. Patrick’s Day party. The basement gathering grew and moved to a garage, then to a warehouse, then to Navy Pier, which Forever Green called home for many years, then moving to Park West and afterwards to Chicago’s historic Cultural Center. This year they are bringing it back to the lake!