Chicago kicks off St. Patrick's Day 2025 this weekend with one of the most unique Irish American traditions - dyeing the Chicago River green.
This year's dyeing will take place at 10 am on Saturday, March 15.
According to CBS News, the best place to watch the Chicago River turn green is along Upper Wacker Drive between State Street and Columbus Drive.
The lower Riverwalk will be closed, except for select ticketed events. Bridges over the river also will be closed during the river dyeing, except for the Orleans Street, Columbus Drive, and LaSalle Street bridges.
About the dyeing of the Chicago River for St. Patrick's Day
Turning the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day first began in 1962, one year after Savannah, Georgia tried to dye their river green but did not succeed. Mayor Richard J. Daley suggested that the city find a way to turn Lake Michigan green for St. Patrick’s Day.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the business manager of the Chicago Plumbers Union, Stephen M. Baily came up with the idea of dyeing the river with a solution that was used for identifying pollution and had the happy side effect of creating green streaks.
The river is traditionally dyed on the morning of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. In the first few years of the greening tradition, 100 pounds of oil-based fluorescein were poured into the river, leaving it green for close to a week.
After some environmental protest, as Mental Floss recounted, in 1966, parade organizers switched to using just 25 pounds of a more eco-friendly vegetable-based powder (the recipe is a secret), which, funnily enough, is orange until it hits the water. This keeps the river green for most of the day.
It only takes two small motorboats to dye the river, looping back and forth between Wabash Avenue and Columbus Drive. The larger of the two carries a crew of four who pour the powder into the water with flour sifters. The smaller boat, which ferries two people, helps to disperse the powder.
It takes 45 minutes for the green color to reach its full vibrancy, et voila! The green hue will last for hours or days, depending on the weather.
The dyeing of the Chicago River in 2018. (Getty Images)
St. Patrick's Day 2025 in Chicago
The greening of the Chicago River kicks off St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the Windy City which will see not one but three parades this week.
The downtown Chicago parade, the city's largest, is on Saturday, while the South Side Irish Parade and Northwest Side Irish Parade are both on Sunday.
When is the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025?
The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 is on Saturday, March 15.
What time is the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025?
The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025 steps off at 12:15 pm.
What is the route of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025?
The Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at Balbo and Columbus. The parade units will proceed north on Columbus Drive and the viewing stand will be located in front of Buckingham Fountain.
How to get to the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025?
Organizers highly recommend taking public transportation to and from the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade.
- Blue or Red Lines: Exit train at any of the loop stops and walk east to Columbus Drive.
- Brown, Green or Orange Lines: Exit at any of the stops along Wabash and walk east to Columbus Drive.
- Metra: Exit Union Station and walk 7 blocks east to Columbus Drive.
- Bus: Contact the CTA for best instructions to downtown Chicago.
Driving instructions from North or Northwest: Enter downtown Chicago via I-94, you can exit and go east at Washington, Monroe or Congress Pkwy. Look for parking either at Wells or Wabash.
Driving instructions From West: Take 290 east onto Congress Pkwy. Look for parking before you get to Michigan Ave, there will be plenty on your right.
Driving instructions from South or Southwest: Take 94 into the loop, exit at Congress Pkwy, Monroe or Washington. Look for parking at Wells or Wabash.
Who is the Grand Marshal of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025?
Mark McManus, United Association, General President, is the Grand Marshal of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025.
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