THIS WEEKEND THERE WILL BE GREEN EVERYWHERE!
After a couple of years being on hold, St. Patrick's Day celebrations are back in full force and west suburban residents could not be happier! This weekend will be a celebration like no other with Irish-themed events happening all over Chicagoland.
From St. Patrick's Day parades and downtown green-themed celebrations, to Irish dancers and live music at our favorite Irish restaurants and bars, bag pipes will be heard throughout the community and along city streets.
Here's a list of some fun happenings in the western suburbs and downtown Chicago. Enjoy and please remember to celebrate safely!
IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS
DOWNTOWN NAPERVILLE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
The 2022 Parade starts from Naperville North HS and heads down Mill St. south to Jefferson Ave. east to Main St. south to Water St. All are welcome to celebrate Irish culture and heritage with the West Suburban Irish! 10am-2pm
YORKVILLE ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 • DOWNTOWN YORKVILLE
It’s time to get out and celebrate! Join us in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 12! The day will be packed with activities and events the entire family can enjoy! PLUS, check out the music, food and other festive activities hosted at several of Yorkville’s restaurants and businesses!
ST. CHARLES' ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 • ST. CHARLES
Get ready for a fun day! Kick-off the celebration with an Opening Ceremony at 10:30am in the 1st Street Plaza, enjoy the St. Patrick's Parade along Main Street starting at 2pm, and take pictures at the Lucky Photo Station on Riverside Avenue! You can also take part in the St. Charles Park District's Shamrockin’ Along the Fox River 8K at 9am in Pottawatomie Park.
LIVE MUSIC AT QUIGLEY'S IRISH PUB ALL MONTH LONG
Quigley's has a brilliant lineup of live music celebrating All Things Irish, all month long. Local faves like The Chicago Irish Band, Cirrus Falcon, Jameson Shakes and Celtic Roots are just a few of the bands you'll see on stage. See the entire lineup at
ST. PATRICK'S DAY FUN WITH OSWEGO BREWING CO.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 • OSWEGO
Come and celebrate St. Patrick's Day 2022 with OBC! There will be beer, food, music, and head shaving.
BEER: End of the Rainbow - Dry Irish Stout, Thatched Roof - Irish Red...and of course, the Green Beer will be flowing like the Shannon River in Ireland.
FOOD:
10 AM-Noon: Kegs and Eggs with Dark Horse
1-7 PM: Dark Horse Irish Lunch & Dinner
MUSIC:
Noon-4 PM: Governor Bowery
2 PM: Oswego Fire Department Pipes and Drums
6-8 PM: Gleeson Irish Trio
*A special thank you to Fox River Academy for running our sound for this event*
HEAD SHAVING: Bike Bald Group is an Oswego-based non-profit. They are committed to enriching the lives of children affected by cancer, rare illnesses, and additional support needed. You can sign up to have your head shaved OR donate to a good cause. For more information, please visit their website: https://bikebald.com
SPECIALS:
St. Patrick's Day glasses for $10 and come with your first fill and $5 refills on our Irish beers.
*A special thank you to Imagination Print and Design for all our St. Patrick's shirts and glassware*
ST. PATRICK'S FAMILY DAY AT BALLYDOYLE'S
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 IN AURORA • SUNDAY, MARCH 13 IN DOWNERS GROVE
Saturday, Mar 12, Ballydoyle Aurora
Fun for the whole family! Celebrate St. Pat's in a way that's fun for all ages. Starting at 10am with Irish brunch and featuring fun activities, crafts, live music, dancing, and more! Time & Location
SCHEDULE 10:00 am - Open for Shamrock Buffet- 12:30pm - Buffet ends- limited restaurant menu available 12:30pm - McNulty Irish Dancers 1:00pm - Aidan O'Toole - Irish Music traditional to contemporary 2:30pm - McNulty Irish Dancers
Sunday, Mar 13, Ballydoyle Downers Grove
SCHEDULE
10:00 am - Open for Shamrock Buffet-
12:30pm - Buffet ends- limited restaurant menu available
12:30pm - McNulty Irish Dancers
1:00pm - Aidan O'Toole - Irish Music traditional to contemporary
A SHAMROCKIN' GOOD TIME
FRIDAY, MARCH 18 • RIALTO SQUARE THEATRE
D’Arcy Buick GMC presents three dozen musicians, Irish dancers, Irish session players, Irish food, whiskey tasting, hoops in the pit, the Rialto organist, pipers, youth choir, raffles benefitting the theater... Put it on your calendar for Friday, March 18, Rialto Square Theatre! Join us for a night of fun and Irish music, both traditional and contemporary! Tix $25 (Kids $15) at
IN CHICAGO
SOUTH SIDE IRISH PARADE
SUNDAY, MARCH 13 • 12pm Western Avenue Between 103rd and 115th Streets A long-time tradition, the South Side Irish Parade is a homegrown, family-friendly celebration of Irish heritage. Join the thousands of fellow revelers that gather to watch the bands, dance troupes, and this year’s newly crowned parade queen.
VOTED BEST BIG CITY IN THE U.S.5 YEARS IN A ROW FIND OUT WHY
The story goes that the first parade was organized by two neighbors and best friends who thought the kids needed a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The very first parade marched down Western Ave in 1981— and they keep the same route today.
After the parade, take some time to explore Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, one of the city’s longest-standing Irish communities. Stop inside one of the area’s many neighborhood bars to raise a pint with the locals. ChooseChicago.com
ST. PATRICK'S DAY RIVER CRUISES SATURDAY, MARCH 12 Admire the emerald green river from the best seats in the house. Chicago’s river cruises offer a one-of-a-kind perspective of the day’s festivities. Watch the waters turn green, enjoy themed cocktails, hear live bagpipe music, and wave at the thousands of spectators lining the river’s banks. ChooseChicago.com
St. Patrick’s Day Clover Cruise from Chicago’s First Lady
St. Patrick’s Day Cruise from Wendella
St. Patty’s Day Green River Cruises from Chicago Fireboat Tours
Architecture River Cruise from Shoreline Sightseeing
Green River Dyeing Cruise with Seadog
St. Patrick’s Lunch Cruise with City Experiences
CHICAGO RIVER DYEING
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 • 10am
Chicago River Between State and Columbus The Chicago River dyeing is one of the most unique St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world. Typically held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day (the same day as the downtown parade), this bucket-list event is a beloved tradition that dates back over half a century.
The first time the Chicago River was dyed green was in 1962, thanks to a suggestion from the local plumbers union. That first river dyeing turned the waters green for nearly a month — nowadays, the color only lasts for a few hours. The plumbers union still holds the river-dyeing honors today, and their environmentally friendly dye formula remains a closely kept secret.
Be sure to get there early for a good view and to watch the union members working their magic from various boats. The river dying kicks off early and always has lots of spectators lining the Chicago Riverwalk and bridges between State and Columbus. The brilliant green color only lasts a few hours, so be sure to catch a glimpse and snap some photos before heading off to a local tavern to enjoy some green beer. ChooseChicago.com
