St. Patrick’s Day brings green decorations, outfits and even beer, so it’s only fitting that the nation’s county with the most Irish people take it a step further and dye a waterway green.
Monday is St. Patrick’s Day and Chicago is preparing for its annual tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green, which will happen the weekend before the actual holiday.
Cook County, where Chicago is located, has the largest Irish American population, according to 2023 Census Data. The city has been dyeing its river green for more than 60 years, and celebrates with two different parades to honor Irish heritage.
Here is what you need to know about how to catch Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations:
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When is Chicago dyeing the river?
The Chicago River will be dyed green on Saturday, March 15.
It will begin at 10 a.m., and takes about 45 minutes to complete, with the color lasting a few hours to a couple of days, according to CBS News.
When are the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parades?
After the river dyeing, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in its 70th year, will start downtown around noon.
The parade will head north from Columbus Drive and Balbo. This year’s theme is trades, technology and education.
On Sunday, the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade will set off at noon from 103rd and Western Avenue.
ABC7 Chicago will broadcast the Saturday parade downtown.
Chicago River goes green: How to watch Chicago St. Patrick’s Day river dyeing
USA TODAY will live stream the Chicago river dyeing on Saturday:
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Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day originated as a religious day to celebrate the Saint who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century.
Centuries later, March 17, the day St. Patrick is believed to have died, is a day celebrating all things Irish. Approximately 9.1% of U.S. residents claimed Irish history in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
It is not a federal holiday in the U.S., where many bar-goers don green attire and beads and glasses. But in Ireland, it is a national holiday and events kick of tourist season.
Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, Erin Jensen, Clare Mulroy
Kinsey Crowley is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.
