Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Overview:
This is the older parade of Chicago's two St. Patrick's Day parade celebrations. This parade was formerly the South Side (Southtown) Parade, and it was held on 79th Street. It moved to downtown Chicago in 1960.
Inspired by the memory of the Southtown Parade, two South Side friends created the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1979. That annual parade continues.
Related:
Inspired by the memory of the Southtown Parade, two South Side friends created the South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1979. That annual parade continues.
Related:
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Date:
Saturday, March 14, 2009. (According to parade officials, it will never be canceled. The parade will go on in any kind of weather.)
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Time:
At 10:45 a.m. they dye the Chicago River green. The parade starts immediately after at noon. (See step-by-step photos of how they dye the Chicago River green.)
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Time:
At 10:45 a.m. they dye the Chicago River green. The parade starts immediately after at noon. (See step-by-step photos of how they dye the Chicago River green.)
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Starting Point:
Intersection of S. Columbus and E. Balbo Drives. It then heads North.
Map It
Using the CTA/RTA/Metra Trip Planner
Map It
Using the CTA/RTA/Metra Trip Planner
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Ending Point:
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Number of Years Running:
54
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - 2009 Parade Queen:
Julie Popp
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - TV Broadcasting :
The parade will be televised nationally on WGN. Locals can watch it on WGN Channel 9 or WLS/ABC 7.
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - How to March in the Parade:
Contact the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Chicago
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 942-9188 or (312) 421-1010
Email: info@chicagostpatsparade.com
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 942-9188 or (312) 421-1010
Email: info@chicagostpatsparade.com
Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade - Tips :
- Dress warm and in layers, so you can peel off or add on as the weather fluctuates.
- Bring food, because the parade is about three hours long if you watch all of it.
- Choose which side of the street you want to be on for the duration because you can't cross during the parade.
- It's crowded out there, so there are always people in front of us, but people are pretty nice about letting the kids get to the front.
- The crowds thin out after the first hour or so.
- It's a bit difficult to get from the dyeing of the river to the parade and still get an excellent viewing spot, so you may want to plan accordingly.