Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago by heading to the parade route and watching the floats, bands, and marchers go by. After that, you can check out some of the city’s best Irish pubs for a pint (or two) of Guinness before hopping on a river cruiser. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to have fun and celebrate this festive holiday.
Here are some fun ways to spend St. Patty’s Day in Chicago:
See the Chicago River Dyed Green
On March 12th, 2022, Chicago is dying its river green! Be sure to head over to Michigan Avenue, just steps away from 21c, for a St. Patty’s Day celebration and watch as the dye is added to the river turning it into an emerald color (only visible from the shore). Then stick around and enjoy traditional Irish music, dance performances, and food.
Chicago is known for having some of the most beautiful views in the country, and there’s no better way to see them than by boat. Experience the Chicago River aboard the Wendella fleet – which features indoor seating, music, snacks and drinks, narration from the captain, and views of downtown Chicago as well as other landmarks!
Catch a Parade
Marching bands, Irish dancers, and bagpipers parade down Chicago’s streets every year on St. Patty’s Day. Following the Chicago St Patrick’s Day Parade downtown, there is a festival in Grant Park with food vendors, beer gardens, and live Irish music to keep you entertained throughout the day. Or check out Chicago’s South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Down a Guinness
Chicago is home to some of America’s most famous and best-loved Irish bars. Whether you’re looking for a place that serves fine food or has live music, there are many great options in which to enjoy your day drinking green beer with friends all over town.
Two acclaimed Chicago Irish pubs are:
- Dublin’s Bar and Grill: Consistently ranked among the city’s best bars, this place has a lot to offer for almost any occasion. There’s an upstairs room that features live music most nights of the week as well as bagpipes and Irish dance on Sundays. The bar itself is a great place to watch sporting events with many TVs and beer pong tables.
- The Kerryman Irish Bar & Restaurant: This friendly pub serves up traditional food all day long. Sit on their award-winning sidewalk patio, also known as River North’s “Garden Oasis”, to enjoy some spectacular blooms and views of the city, making it the perfect spot for an after-parade celebration.
Take a tour of Chicago’s Irish-American Neighborhoods
Learn about how many Irish immigrants came to Chicago after fleeing Ireland during the time known as The Great Famine (1845-1852) and how they contributed to the growth of Chicago. One great tour that explores this is by Walk Chicago Tours. This walking tour also provides you with a glimpse into some of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
Chicago is an awesome city to celebrate St Patty’s Day in, so be sure to save some gold on your trip by getting 17% off your 21c Museum Hotel stay – use code CHLUCK at checkout for this discount and to receive an evergreen ceramic penguin souvenir to remember your trip by!
