St. Patrick's Day

Chicago River Is Dyed Green for St. Patrick's Day

The river was dyed green beginning on Saturday morning

This is a portion of what the Chicago River looked like Saturday morning. 

St. Patrick’s Day weekend always draws raucous crowds and jubilant celebrations throughout the city, and the festivities got underway on Saturday with the dyeing of the Chicago River.

If you couldn’t make it downtown for the big event, don’t fret. NBC 5 Chicago has a recap of the ceremony at the top of this page!

Watch the Chicago River being dyed in less than 20 seconds.

The annual tradition kicked off early, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Crowds gathered along Wacker Drive from Chicago to State Street for the popular event, as Chicago Plumbers Union Local 130 workers turned the river a beautiful shade of green for the big day.

There will be plenty of other St. Patrick’s Day happenings across the city this weekend, and we’ve recapped all of it for you as you prepare for the big weekend:

11 Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2019 in Chicago

1 of 12
Getty

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 11: A water taxi navigates the Chicago River shortly after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day on March 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Dyeing the river has been a St. Patrick's Day tradition in the city since 1962. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Contact Us