If you and the family aren’t sure what to do on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, you are in luck. The windy city offers a variety of festivals, parades, sights to see and local Chicago attractions. Whether you feel lucky for the day or just want to know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, check out these exciting Chicago events planned specifically for this special March holiday.
Watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
See love for all things green up close and personal when attending Chicago’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Commonly held on the Saturday closest to March 17th, this interactive parade heads down Columbus Drive from Balbo Drive and then all the way to Monroe Street. If you don’t know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, this is the way to do it. The parade features more than 100 floats, bands, dancing troupes and more and is one of the most anticipated Chicago events in the city.
See the Green River
One of the most unique traditions in Chicago is the dyeing of the Chicago river. You won’t want to miss this Chicago St. Patrick’s Day event. While you can look up close and personal along the canal streets, you can also head over to the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier or head up the Skydeck for an aerial view of this green masterpiece.
Take Part in the St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Offering fun for all ages, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center is a popular Chicago event each year. The festival includes entertainment for kids and adults alike and features performances from Irish dancers, opportunities to make St. Patrick’s Day crafts and plenty of green brews and authentic food to divulge in with friends and family.
Do the Shamrock Shuffle
Put on your running shoes and enjoy the brisk Chicago weather when spending your St. Patrick’s Day at the Shamrock Shuffle. This 8k run, a popular Chicago event, kicks off the running season for many. Sponsored by Bank of America, this Chicago St. Patrick’s Day event features not just a run, but also an after-party complete with prizes, medals and green beer.
Sample Brews on the St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl
Find Chicago’s treasured pubs and find a sea of green beer when signing up for the St. Paddy’s Pub Crawl. Beginning at Lucky Strike Social at Wrigleyville on the Saturday before the big holiday, this special event takes you to the best bars in town with top-rated drink specials. As one of the most anticipated Chicago St. Patrick’s Day events, this pub crawl comes complete with a map to help with navigation throughout the day.
You don’t have to be Irish to know how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You just have to be ready for lucky adventures when navigating Chicago St. Patrick’s Day events. See green and wear green when venturing to these hotspots known for some of the most fun things to do in Chicago. Check back often for even more holiday activities.