Why St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago Is Unlike Anywhere Else
Every March, thousands of tourists and locals gather in the Windy City for St. Patrick’s Day festivities. In Chicago, everyone turns Irish during St. Pat’s weekend. Remember to wear green, pack lots of layers, and some good walking shoes. Crowds line the streets for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, gather along the river to see it turn green, or head to an Irish pub for green beer, Irish coffee, corned beef, and other classic dishes.
Chicago’s Irish history runs deep, dating back nearly to the city’s founding, with influential Irish politicians, Irish gangs, and generations of pub culture shaping the city. As long as there have been Irish citizens in Chicago, there have been Irish pubs — and even through Prohibition, Irish traditions lived on. Today, Chicago hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the U.S. Whether honoring old traditions or creating new ones, there’s something for everyone on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.
- A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
- The Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Dyeing the Chicago River Green
- Top 5 Things to Do on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
- Irish Mob in Chicago: A Lesser-Known Chapter
- Tips for Visiting Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day
Pictured: St. Patrick’s Church & Statue of James Connolly.
A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
Chicago Irish History: How It All Began
Irish immigration to Chicago began in the 1830s. The Irish hard laborers built the Illinois-Michigan Canal, which connected Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. The Canal’s impact on transport helped grow Chicago’s population from about 4,500 people in 1840 to about 75,000 people in 1855.
The Irish workers and their families settled primarily in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, where the church became a central part of daily life and culture. The Great Irish Famine of the 1840s, commonly known as the “Potato Famine,” brought thousands more Irish immigrants to the city.
St. Patrick’s Church, located at 700 W Adams and across the street from Heritage Green Park, was constructed and built by immigrants from 1582-1856. It is the oldest church building in Chicago and one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated by the City of Chicago as a Historical Landmark in 1964. Richard J. Daley, who was Mayor of Chicago at that time, was an inaugural inductee into the Irish American Hall of Fame in 2011.
Chicago was built on the backs of the Irish immigrants. The Irish community was fully immersed in all aspects of American society and professions, including laborers & builders, church pastors, police officers, politicians, and other prominent fields. James Connolly (1868-1916) was one of several prominent Chicago Irish patriots and labor leaders. A statue of him is located in Union Park at 1501 W. Randolph.
One of the best places to learn about Chicago Irish history is at the Irish American Heritage Center located at 4626 N Knox Ave, in the Mayfair Neighborhood. The center includes an Irish heritage museum, library, gallery, gift shop, performance hall, Irish dance lessons, and a pub!
Over time, Chicago’s Irish communities became deeply influential in politics, labor unions, law enforcement, and civic life. The exaggerated tales of Irish settlers helped to support the reputation of Chicago as the Windy City (named for politicians blowing hot air). St. Patrick’s Day evolved into more than a religious holiday, it became a celebration of identity, resilience, belonging, fun and food!
Irish Influence on Chicago Culture
From south side neighborhoods to downtown institutions, the Chicago Irish population left a lasting mark on Chicago’s culture. Irish-owned pubs, churches, social clubs, and political organizations shaped entire communities, and helped turn St. Patrick’s Day into one of Chicago’s most anticipated events of the year.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was started by a couple of fathers walking their children around the neighborhood on the 10900 block near Washtenaw Ave & Talman in 1979. This small family gathering only took one year to move from the sidewalk to the streets to form the South Side Irish Parade. What began with 17 children has grown to over 10,000 and was eventually brought downtown by Irish mayor Richard J Daley. Today, there are three St. Patrick’s Day Parades. The largest parade is downtown in the Loop neighborhood, but there is also a South Side Irish Parade in the Beveryly/Morgan neighborhoods as well as the Northwest Side Irish Parade in the Norwood Park neighborhood.
What to Expect at This Year’s Parade
- The Chicago St Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday March 14, 2026
- 10am: River Dyeing starts at Michigan Ave Bridge and moves west.
- 12pm: Parade on Columbus Dr, between Balbo & Monroe.
- Look for boats and floats and enjoy plenty of people watching.
- Get to the river early to have enough time to grab a quick bite to eat, and find your spot before the parade begins.
- If you miss the downtown parade on Saturday or want more parade fun, try the Northwest or South Side parades on Sunday.
Dyeing the Chicago River Green
Since 1961, the Chicago River has been turned green every year in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, local 130, have taken 2-3 boats over approximately 45 minutes to dye the river green. Mark your calendar for the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day to watch this phenomenon with the thousands of people who flock to the Riverwalk to participate in the festivities. Come early and dress warmly if you want to take good photos or videos of the progress. Public transportation is highly recommended.
Top 5 Things to Do on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago
- Go to an Irish Pub
- Try the Kerryman Irish Bar and Restaurant at 661 N Clark St., where you can also find a Johnny Depp autographed cover of Vanity Fair from his time filming Public Enemy.
- Enjoy authentic Irish accents heard among the staff and lots of traditional and modern fare.
- Go on a Pub Crawl
- Kiss Me I’m Irish or the Mustache Crawl are a couple examples.
- Look for a crawl in at least these 4 neighborhoods, including:
- Wrigleyville
- River North
- Old Town
- Lincoln Park
- Shamrock’n at Old St Pat’s
- Family fun with prizes, food, drinks and bagpipe music galore!
- Irish dancing and other entertainment at this annual West Loop neighborhood event.
- Chicago Crime Tour or Night Crimes Tour
- Learn about key Irish northside gangsters during Prohibition.
- All ages may attend the tour.
- Drink Green
- Alcoholic Options: Green Bud Lights on draft at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, Boozy Shamrock Shake at JoJo’s Shake Bar in River North or a Grasshopper from Gus’ Sip & Dip.
- Non-Alcoholic: McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, Portillo’s Mint Chocolate Shake, or try a Prohibition classic – Green River Soda (find it at Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Walmart, Binny’s Beverage Depot as well as local restaurants).
Irish Mob in Chicago: A Lesser-Known Chapter
Most Prohibition-era mobs were multi-cultural, but Irish gangsters tended to operate in territory-based gangs. Many key players in the Beer Wars were Irish, including Dean “Dion” O’Banion and George “Bugs” Moran. You can learn more about these figures and their stories on the Chicago Crime Tour or Night Crimes Tour.
Tips for Visiting Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day
- What time? Early! Find the best riverside spot to watch the river turn green.
- Transportation Tips: Book parking in advance or use CTA (public transit).
- What to wear? Green! Pack layers, it could be sunny or it could snow.
- Pro Tip: bring or buy a water bottle, wear walking shoes and watch the beautiful city turn green!
Why St. Patrick’s Day Is the Perfect Time to Experience Chicago
St Patrick’s Day in Chicago is basically the city’s way of giving everyone permission to be Irish and celebrations begin March 1st! It’s about community, traditions, and honoring the generations of Irish immigrants who helped to build the loud, proud masterpiece the city is today.
…Let’s be honest…It’s about joy. Like…pure, unfiltered shameless joy.
Once the bagpipes start blasting, the crowds start cheering, and the river is turned into the most brilliant shade of emerald green, Chicago turns into one big, happy, green-tinted party.
Whether you’re here for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Chicago, diving into Chicago Irish History, following the dramatic stories of the Irish mob Chicago, or just trying to locate your next pint like it’s a personal mission – welcome to the party.
Sláinte. Now let’s celebrate!
