It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, and that means there are lots of fun (and mostly FREE) events in the city. Bookmark this list to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of these St. Patrick's Day holiday happenings starting tomorrow March 11 and throughout the weekend!
St Patrick's Day Parade and River Dyeing
This is always a favorite event for Chicagoans and tourists alike. The parade and green river dyeing actually take place a week before St. Patrick's Day, on Saturday, March 11. It's supposed to be chilly this year, so make sure to bundle up. Arrive early to secure a prime spot along the river. chicagostpatricksdayparade.org
Get Lucky Half Marathon, 7K, or 14K
Get a workout in! The ambitious half marathon begins at Soldier Field. Alternatively, you can opt for a 7K or 14K. All events take place March 11. chicagogetlucky.org
St. Patrick's Day Luncheon Cruise
Shoreline Sightseeing is offering St. Patrick's Day cruises on March 11. The 75-minute cruises depart from Navy Pier before and after the parade. This is great fun for the whole family. Tickets start at $49. Get your day cruise tickets. Spirit Cruises also offers a similar lunch cruise.
St. Patrick's Day Drinking Cruise
If you prefer a 21+ version of the St. Patrick's day cruise, Wendella Boats offers a two-hour cruise with Irish music and a full-service bar that includes festive green beer.
Irish American Heritage Center Festival
This annual St. Patrick's Day Festival takes place March 11 in the Mayfair neighborhood from noon to midnight. Family-friendly events include music, dancing, food and drink, activities for kids, and Irish vendors. Festival tickets are $12 for adults, free for children.
South Side and Northwest Side Irish Parades
If you prefer to stay far away from the downtown parade on Saturday, you have a couple other options. There are two more parades happening on the South Side and Northwest Side of Chicago, both on March 12. southsideirishparade.org and northwestsideirish.org
Did we miss an event? Leave a comment to let us know! For a complete round-up visit choosechicago.com/st-patricks-day
