St. Patrick’s Day is next week, but the fun gets started early in Chicago. Dyeing the Chicago River green — a 60-year tradition — and the downtown parade — a 65-year tradition — return for the first time since 2019. Both events, which were canceled the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic, take place Saturday. (A lucky few, however, stumbled upon a surprise river dyeing last year.)
The city is expecting an influx of people to celebrate the events, so here’s what you need to know if you plan to experience them in person.
10 a.m., Saturday: Chicago River dyeing begins
A tradition celebrating its 60th year in 2022, the Chicago River is dyed green the Saturday before each St. Patrick’s Day — unless the holiday falls on a Saturday.
The dyeing process stretches from Orleans Street almost three quarters of a mile east to Columbus Drive. It’s a much wider area than pre-COVID years.
Watching from home? Tune into WMAQ-Ch. 5‘s livestream.
Date: Saturday, March 12
Start time: 10 a.m. (It takes about 45 minutes for the river to turn completely green.)
Bridges: Closed to spectators during river dyeing. The bridges at Orleans Street and Columbus and LaSalle drives, however, will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians.
Chicago Riverwalk: Closes at 11 p.m. Friday, March 11, and will reopen at 6 a.m. Sunday, March 13.
!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
12:15 p.m., Saturday: Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins
There is about a two-hour gap between when dyeing of the Chicago River is completed and the parade — which is in its 65th year — begins.
!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
Date: Saturday, March 12
Start time: 12:15 p.m.
Stepping off from: The corner of Columbus and Balbo drives and heading north on Columbus about a half mile to Monroe Street.
Entry: Starting at 10 a.m., spectators can only access the parade route via Jackson Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive.
Security: All bags and purses will be checked at entrances to the parade route. No alcohol, coolers, open beverages, CamelBaks or personal water bottles are allowed.
Watching from home? Tune into WLS-Ch.7‘s livestream.
Getting downtown
Due to expected large crowds and street closures, organizers say plan extra time to travel to these events and consider using public transportation.
Masks must be worn on public transportation — even if riders are vaccinated — per federal mandate.
Chicago Transit Authority
Check out transitchicago.com for bus and rail fare information, route schedules and maps.
Rail lines:
Red Line: Exit at Lake, Monroe
More Top Picks Best Wrist Rests For Keyboards
or Jackson stations.Blue Line: Exit at Jackson, Monroe or Washington stations.
Elevated lines (Brown, Green, Pink or Orange): Exit at State/Lake, Washington/Wabash or Adams/Wabash stations.
Road closures causing bus reroutes:
Chicago River dyeing (9-10 a.m.): Wacker Drive will be closed from Orleans Street east to Columbus Drive. Buses will be rerouted to turn north or south of the Chicago River.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (12:30-3 p.m.): Columbus Drive will be closed from Monroe Street south to Roosevelt Road.
Unlimited ride passes are available for one day ($5) or three days ($15) and can be purchased through the Ventra app.
Metra
Six Metra lines connect to Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center. One connects to LaSalle Street Station:
!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
BNSF Railway, Milwaukee North and Milwaukee West lines arrive and depart from Union Station.
Union Pacific North, Union Pacific Northwest and Union Pacific West lines arrive and depart from Ogilvie.
The Rock Island line arrives and departs from LaSalle Street Station.
Plan to buy tickets in advance using the Ventra app. Conductors will be checking tickets before boarding at downtown stations.
Metra offers two weekend-pass options. Unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday are $7. Up to three children age 11 and under can ride free with each fare-paying adult. A weekend pass includes unlimited rides for $10, available only in the Ventra app.
Check metra.com for route schedules and maps. Alcohol is banned on all Metra trains on Saturday. Bicycles are also not permitted March 12.
More Top Picks Best Dive Watches For Under 300
Parking
Parking can be purchased in advance through SpotHero or Millennium Garages.
Other parades taking place in the city this weekend
Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Noon on Saturday, March 12.
South Side Irish Parade: Noon on Sunday, March 13.
Northwest Side Irish Parade: Noon on Sunday, March 13.
interactive_content