Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2017

Does any city celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with more enthusiasm and fun than Chicago? We don’t think so either. After they dye the Chicago River green, join the city’s big and noisy celebration of all things Irish when everyone is Irish (or can at least pretend to be).

 Start with the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 11. One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country, it celebrates the patron saint of Ireland and Irish heritage. Packed with bagpipers, drum corps, Irish dancers and whole lot more, the parade will start at Balbo and Columbus, then snake its way north on Columbus Drive through Grant Park. The parade gets going at noon, but get there early to secure a choice spot to see this once-a-year celebration. Because finding a parking place can be difficult and pricey, parade organizers highly recommend that you use public transportation to get to the parade. The parade’s official website is: http://www.chicagostpatricksdayparade.org/index.html

 Continue your Irish celebration the next day, Sunday March 12, with another parade–the South Side Irish Parade. This parade steps off at noon from 103rd and will proceed down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The South Side Irish Parade is a free family-friendly event. For more information (including parking hints) go to: http://www.southsideirishparade.org/.