Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Guide to the Festivities

 

Boats travel on a bright green-colored river surrounded by tall skyscrapers and historic buildings under a clear, blue sky in a cityscape.

Chicago is one of the best cities in the U.S. to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  We really go all out!  From dyeing the Chicago River green to an annual parade that takes place downtown.   Almost every Chicagoan pretends they’re Irish for the weekend.  Here’s a guide to help you join in the festivities and paint the town green (pun intended).

Several boats travel along a bright green river surrounded by tall modern and historic skyscrapers on a sunny day in downtown Chicago.

St. Patrick’s Day is officially on March 17th, 2020.  However, Chicago begins its celebration the weekend prior. The first major event is the dyeing of the Chicago River.  This annual tradition has been going on for over 60 years.  It starts Saturday, March 14th at 9 a.m.  The green river is so bright that it almost looks neon, it’s a magical sight to see. The dyeing of the river takes place between Columbus and East Wacker Drive. It’s less than a 10 minute walk away from our furnished apartments at Columbus Plaza and EnV Chicago.

Next, you must  watch the 65th Annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  The parade starts at 12 noon at Columbus Drive and Balbo Street.  It’s only a mile away from our furnished apartments at 73 East Lake and MILA. It’s filmed live and will broadcast on ABC 7 Chicago.   The parade will feature colorful floats, Irish bag pipes, Irish step dancers and more.

A smiling man wearing a tall green hat with a buckle and a green shirt stands outdoors, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. A woman in similar attire is in the background, along with other people.

 

Last, but certainly not least, you must visit one of Chicago’s Irish Pubs. Fadó Irish Pub is in the heart of the river north area, and steps away from our furnished apartments at Hubbard Place. It’s #1 on Yelp’s Best 10 Irish Pubs in Chicago. Fadó has an authentic reclaimed bar from the Purty Kitchen in Dublin which help makes it unique.  Their menu consists of popular traditional dishes like corned beef & cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, and fish & chips. Of course, your day wouldn’t be complete without a tall glass of Guinness beer or a shot of Jameson Irish Whisky.

Three smiling men sit together at a pub table, each holding a glass of green beer, with snacks in a bowl in front of them. The setting is cozy and warmly lit, suggesting a festive atmosphere.