Top of the morning, Tigers! It’s Sarah and Martyna reporting again! This time we have a new topic for you all to enjoy (shockingly, not sports). It’s that time of the year, where Chicagoans showed off their shamrock green while traditions like dyeing the river green, parading around the city, and more paved the way for excitement and fun. Chicago would even make a leprechaun jealous. So this year, Tigers traded in their EPHS gear for mean green attire and started practicing their best Irish jig. Let’s take a trip to Downtown Chicago and test the luck of the Irish.

History of St. Patty’s Day in Chicago

As we all know, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago are very well known around the world, but how did it all start? Saint Patrick’s Day in Chicago goes back more than 175 years ago! The first Chicago Irish parade was held back in 1843. Both the South Side Irish Parade and the Northwest Side Irish Parade were, and still are, held on Sundays, whereas the dyeing of the river didn’t come around until 1962 but quickly became one of Chicago’s most popular and loved events.

River Dyeing

As you know, one of the most well-known traditions and tourist attractions around this time of the year is the dyeing of the Chicago River, where the entire river gets dyed a bright shamrock green and boats filled with people float around cheering and celebrating, showing off their best Irish jig.

Chicago hosted their 63rd annual river dyeing this year on March 15, 2025. Did you know that this tradition began in 1962 when a plumber’s union noticed their dye turned the river green? Ever since that day way back in 1962, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union has been sponsoring dyeing the river green to celebrate Irish Heritage. This is a major attraction in Chicago and draws in many tourists each year; it marks the beginning of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. It has become a symbol of the strong Irish community in Chicago.

Parade

Did you live a leprechaun life and get festive on St. Patrick’s Day? Well, if you did, you’re one lucky leprechaun! But if you didn’t, that’s a shame, better luck next year. We have some inside info for you that you won’t want to miss. There’s no better way to celebrate than the annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Grant Park.

On March 15, 2025 (yes, we know, the same day as the river dye), our own home town hosted their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade around certain parts of the city. This parade became a tradition on March 17, 1843. It originally started at the Irish armory and ended at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. But there’s no time like the present and this year the parade kicked off at 12:30 starting at Balbo Ave and Columbus Dr and ended at Monroe Dr.

Other Activities

Although we didn’t necessarily participate in these festive events this year, we sure are thinking about doing them next year and you should too! Down below is a list of tiny activities that will surely get you feeling lucky like a four leaf clover.

• Shamrock Shuffle – Do you like to chase the rainbow and hope to find gold at the end of it? Well, lucky for you the Bank of America hosts their annual Shamrock Shuffle. This year it will be on March 23, 2025, at Grant Park Downtown Chicago. This tradition started in 1980 to gain popularity for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the city. It was a way to engage with the community through a fun, festive running event that begins the spring running season in Chicago, while also increasing their brand visibility within the local market. The shuffle includes an 8K, or 1 mile run, as well as a 2 mile walk.

• Shamrock Shakes ☘️ – Don’t make a big mistake! Order a Shamrock Shake! While you’re out and about during St.Patrick’s Day, be sure you stop by McDonald’s for limited addition Shamrock Shakes. These shakes are a pastel green that have the mintiest flavors of all time and are topped with a huge amount of whipped cream. Mmm…Irish we had a Shamrock Shake right now. The Shamrock Shake was created in 1967 by McDonald’s owner and operator Hal Rosen. These only come around once a year, so don’t be a plain Jane but spice up your day with a Shamrock Shake.

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  Corn Beef and Cabbage – Are you wanting to expand your horizon and be open to the food world of the Irish? We searched the web and found some top notch spots in Chicago that served corn beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day. Here are some of the spots to choose from: The Gage (located on 24 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL), D4 Irish Pub and Cafe (located on 345 East Ohio Street, E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL), and, lastly, Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (located on 3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL).

Well, Tigers, although it is sad to say, this fun festive article has come to an end. With a twinkle in their eye and a spring in their step, the leprechauns disappear into the mist, leaving behind a trail of magic and mystery. We hope you enjoyed reading this our article this edition and hopefully you had a very lucky day on St.Patty’s Day. We sure did! If you missed going downtown for these celebrations this year, make sure to mark your calendar for next year as the chance to celebrate this holiday only comes around once a year. Peace out, Tigers, until next time!

Sources:

• (Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, n.d.)
• (Best Corned Beef Recipe (Crockpot or Oven) From The Food Charlatan, 2024)
• (Boscamp, 2025)
• (Hinkel, 2023)
• (McDonald’s Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Shamrock Shake® by Taking the Legendary Treat National and Introducing a New, Delicious Shamrock Dessert, n.d.)
• (St. Patrick’s Day Chicago | Green River Dyeing & Parades, 2024)