Published March 01, 2022
Looking for something fun to do in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day? Check out Bucket Lister’s guide to the best St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city.
The city offers plenty of events and activities that will get you in the Irish spirit, from parades and pub crawls to festivals! So whether you're a longtime resident or just visiting for the occasion, here are our top suggestions for a one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day in Chicago.
In Chicago, dyeing the river green is a cherished tradition that signals the start of St. Patrick's Day festivities. This tradition was started in 1962, and every year, members of the Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 gather to dump gallons of green dye into the Chicago River, transforming it into a vibrant shade of emerald that everyone can enjoy. If you're in town for St. Patrick's Day, be sure to check out this unique tradition!
This year, the river dyeing will take place on Saturday, March 12th, and the festivities start at 9:00 a.m. The river dyeing also serves as the kickoff for the next can’t-miss activity on our list, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Where: The best spots to view the dyeing are from Upper and Lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
For more information on dyeing the Chicago River.
In Chicago, dyeing the river green is a cherished tradition that signals the start of St. Patrick's Day festivities. This tradition was started in 1962, and every year, members of the Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 gather to dump gallons of green dye into the Chicago River, transforming it into a vibrant shade of emerald that everyone can enjoy. If you're in town for St. Patrick's Day, be sure to check out this unique tradition!
This year, the river dyeing will take place on Saturday, March 12th, and the festivities start at 9:00 a.m. The river dyeing also serves as the kickoff for the next can’t-miss activity on our list, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Where: The best spots to view the dyeing are from Upper and Lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
For more information on dyeing the Chicago River.
Every year, on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, Chicago hosts a massive parade to celebrate the city’s rich Irish culture and heritage. The parade is one of the city’s longest-running traditions, having started more than 175 years ago in 1843.
It’s an event you won't want to miss! The parade features bagpipe bands, colorful floats, and of course, lots of Irish dancers. Whether you're Irish or not, be sure to come out and join the fun!
Where: The parade starts at the intersection of Balbo and Columbus and will proceed north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Street. The viewing stand is located in front of Buckingham Fountain.
Every year, on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, Chicago hosts a massive parade to celebrate the city’s rich Irish culture and heritage. The parade is one of the city’s longest-running traditions, having started more than 175 years ago in 1843.
It’s an event you won't want to miss! The parade features bagpipe bands, colorful floats, and of course, lots of Irish dancers. Whether you're Irish or not, be sure to come out and join the fun!
Where: The parade starts at the intersection of Balbo and Columbus and will proceed north on Columbus Drive to Monroe Street. The viewing stand is located in front of Buckingham Fountain.
Wrigleyville revelers can start their day right at Happy Camper’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The party begins first thing in the morning with an unlimited brunch buffet to get you fueled up for a day of partying, plus an open bar with wine, beer, and mixed drinks.
Where: Happy Camper Wrigleyville: 3458 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657
For more information and tickets for Happy Camper Wrigleyville.
Wrigleyville revelers can start their day right at Happy Camper’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The party begins first thing in the morning with an unlimited brunch buffet to get you fueled up for a day of partying, plus an open bar with wine, beer, and mixed drinks.
Where: Happy Camper Wrigleyville: 3458 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60657
For more information and tickets for Happy Camper Wrigleyville.
We’re only a few days away from St. Patrick’s Day so it’s time to start planning your at-home celebration or your pregame before going out to the bars! Start the day by bringing out your best green gear, popping on a festive playlist, and mixing up some whiskey cocktails with Slane.
Slane was created to hold up on its own, on the rocks or as the base of a great cocktail (the Slane, Ginger, and Orange is our current fav).
You can also enjoy a Slane cocktail at any of the Chicago-area bars below:
Need more ideas for an at-home St. Patty’s Day celebration, visit Slane Irish Whiskey.
Trailblazers Sip responsibly. Blended Irish Whiskey, 40% Alc. by Vol. Imported by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, KY. Slane is a registered trademark. ©2022 Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Ltd.
We’re only a few days away from St. Patrick’s Day so it’s time to start planning your at-home celebration or your pregame before going out to the bars! Start the day by bringing out your best green gear, popping on a festive playlist, and mixing up some whiskey cocktails with Slane.
Slane was created to hold up on its own, on the rocks or as the base of a great cocktail (the Slane, Ginger, and Orange is our current fav).
You can also enjoy a Slane cocktail at any of the Chicago-area bars below:
Need more ideas for an at-home St. Patty’s Day celebration, visit Slane Irish Whiskey.
Trailblazers Sip responsibly. Blended Irish Whiskey, 40% Alc. by Vol. Imported by Brown-Forman Beverages, Louisville, KY. Slane is a registered trademark. ©2022 Slane Castle Irish Whiskey Ltd.
Gather your green gang and get ready for a party to remember with the Social Scene Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 12! Party the day away with live Irish music, DJs…and don’t forget the green beer!
With your ticket, you’ll get access to 30 venues with no additional cover charge, $10 to spend at the event, food & drink specials, a scavenger hunt. You can even add on shuttle access to help get your group to bars within the neighborhood so you won’t waste a single minute of fun waiting on Ubers or walking in the cold!
Where: (multiple check-in locations)
Bourbon on Division - 2050 W Division St
Subterranean- 2011 W North Ave
Rock Bottom Brewery - 1 W Grand Ave
But you can check this event instead:
Gather your green gang and get ready for a party to remember with the Social Scene Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 12! Party the day away with live Irish music, DJs…and don’t forget the green beer!
With your ticket, you’ll get access to 30 venues with no additional cover charge, $10 to spend at the event, food & drink specials, a scavenger hunt. You can even add on shuttle access to help get your group to bars within the neighborhood so you won’t waste a single minute of fun waiting on Ubers or walking in the cold!
Where: (multiple check-in locations)
Bourbon on Division - 2050 W Division St
Subterranean- 2011 W North Ave
Rock Bottom Brewery - 1 W Grand Ave
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Paradise Park with amazing St. Paddy’s Day packages that will let you party the day away with your group. All tickets include a full brunch buffet plus drink packages with beer, wine, and mixed drinks so you can brunch in style to kick off a day of celebrations! Got a bigger crew? There are options for VIP tables for larger groups.
Where: Paradise Park: 1913 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
But you can check this event instead:
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Paradise Park with amazing St. Paddy’s Day packages that will let you party the day away with your group. All tickets include a full brunch buffet plus drink packages with beer, wine, and mixed drinks so you can brunch in style to kick off a day of celebrations! Got a bigger crew? There are options for VIP tables for larger groups.
Where: Paradise Park: 1913 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
Learn about the history of St. Patrick’s Day while you celebrate at this annual festival hosted by Chicago’s Irish American Heritage Center. The festival begins following the parade downtown and features traditional and contemporary Irish music and dance performances, traditional Irish food and drink, children’s activities, and even an Arts and Craft Fair, with vendors selling Irish gifts.
Where: 4626 N Knox Ave. Chicago, IL 60630 United States
For more information on the Irish American Heritage Center festival.
Learn about the history of St. Patrick’s Day while you celebrate at this annual festival hosted by Chicago’s Irish American Heritage Center. The festival begins following the parade downtown and features traditional and contemporary Irish music and dance performances, traditional Irish food and drink, children’s activities, and even an Arts and Craft Fair, with vendors selling Irish gifts.
Where: 4626 N Knox Ave. Chicago, IL 60630 United States
For more information on the Irish American Heritage Center festival.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Happy Camper Old Town with all-inclusive packages that will let you kick your morning off with a party! All tickets include access to an unlimited pizza buffet to fuel your crew, plus an open bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks so you can day drink to your heart’s content. If you have a bigger group, they’ve got plenty of options for VIP tables with guaranteed seating.
Where: Happy Camper Old Town: 1209 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL 60610
But you can check this event instead:
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Happy Camper Old Town with all-inclusive packages that will let you kick your morning off with a party! All tickets include access to an unlimited pizza buffet to fuel your crew, plus an open bar with beer, wine, and mixed drinks so you can day drink to your heart’s content. If you have a bigger group, they’ve got plenty of options for VIP tables with guaranteed seating.
Where: Happy Camper Old Town: 1209 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL 60610
You don't want to miss out on the party at Homeslice! They’re offering a variety of packages for you and your friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, and all tickets include an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and open bar, including beer, wine, or mixed drinks. VIP tables are available for larger groups.
Where: Homeslice: 938 W Webster Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
But you can check this event instead:
You don't want to miss out on the party at Homeslice! They’re offering a variety of packages for you and your friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, and all tickets include an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and open bar, including beer, wine, or mixed drinks. VIP tables are available for larger groups.
Where: Homeslice: 938 W Webster Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
The luck of the Irish will be with you at Joe’s this St. Patrick's Day! Join their annual party and enjoy 4 hours of food and drinks, including Miller Lite and Coors Light, Tito's Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, and Tito's vodka cocktails. You'll also get an included entrée plus specially priced shots. Choose from two jam-packed packages: start your day with the 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM session or finish up a day of celebrations with the 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM ticket option.
Where: 940 W Weed St, Chicago, IL 60642
But you can check this event instead:
The luck of the Irish will be with you at Joe’s this St. Patrick's Day! Join their annual party and enjoy 4 hours of food and drinks, including Miller Lite and Coors Light, Tito's Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, and Tito's vodka cocktails. You'll also get an included entrée plus specially priced shots. Choose from two jam-packed packages: start your day with the 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM session or finish up a day of celebrations with the 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM ticket option.
Where: 940 W Weed St, Chicago, IL 60642
Join Rizzo’s for the ultimate St. Patrick's Day party! They’re ready to celebrate in full force with three sessions throughout the day, so you can pick the one that best suits your group’s schedule. Plus, they’ve got food & beverage packages that include everything you need to get in the spirit, including an open bar and food included in the price of entry. So bring your group for a day of fun and good times.
Where: Rizzo’s Bar: 3658 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60613
But you can check this event instead:
Join Rizzo’s for the ultimate St. Patrick's Day party! They’re ready to celebrate in full force with three sessions throughout the day, so you can pick the one that best suits your group’s schedule. Plus, they’ve got food & beverage packages that include everything you need to get in the spirit, including an open bar and food included in the price of entry. So bring your group for a day of fun and good times.
Where: Rizzo’s Bar: 3658 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60613
Looking for a hot St. Patrick's Day party to celebrate the holiday? Look no further than Murphy’s Bleachers! With all-inclusive ticket packages including unlimited Miller Lite and Coors Light on draft, Tito's Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers and vodka cocktails, plus one specialty food entrée per person, this party is not to be missed!
Where: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
But you can check this event instead:
Looking for a hot St. Patrick's Day party to celebrate the holiday? Look no further than Murphy’s Bleachers! With all-inclusive ticket packages including unlimited Miller Lite and Coors Light on draft, Tito's Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers and vodka cocktails, plus one specialty food entrée per person, this party is not to be missed!
Where: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Feel like you should get a little exercise after spending several days eating, drinking, and celebrating? The annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is for you! This yearly event offers an 8K option for more ambitious shufflers or a 2-mile walk along the lakefront if you prefer to keep it on the more accessible side. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, March 20.
Where: The race begins at Grant Park at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street.
For more information on the Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle.
Feel like you should get a little exercise after spending several days eating, drinking, and celebrating? The annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is for you! This yearly event offers an 8K option for more ambitious shufflers or a 2-mile walk along the lakefront if you prefer to keep it on the more accessible side. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, March 20.
Where: The race begins at Grant Park at the intersection of Columbus Drive and Monroe Street.
For more information on the Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle.
The St. Patrick’s Day fun continues at Hangge Uppe, with two time slots to choose from to keep the party going from 2:00 - 5:00 PM or from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. All tickets include a 3-hour open bar with beer and mixed drinks, plus one entree to enjoy per person.
Where: 14 W Elm St, Chicago, IL 60610
But you can check this event instead:
The St. Patrick’s Day fun continues at Hangge Uppe, with two time slots to choose from to keep the party going from 2:00 - 5:00 PM or from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. All tickets include a 3-hour open bar with beer and mixed drinks, plus one entree to enjoy per person.
Where: 14 W Elm St, Chicago, IL 60610