Chi-Town Wearing of the Green on St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is one of Chicago's favorite holidays. Chicago celebrates the Irish holiday by dyeing the Chicago River Green. Two different parades mark the Irish holiday. On the weekend preceding St. Patrick's Day there will be Irish music at Navy Pier. Chicagoans get ready to party!

South Side Irish
Sunday, March 9
The south side block party, is said to be an Irish blast. Held in the Irish neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, this parade attracts a crowd of 325,000 people. This year the south side parade will be held the week before St. Patrick's Day, on Sunday, March 9 at noon. The south side parade begins at 103rd Street and Western Avenue. The celebration starts at St Cajetan Parish, with a Parade Mass. The celebration begins with Irish songs and music at 8:30 am, followed by Mass at 9:00 am. St. Cajatan Church is located at 112th and Artesian in the West Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago.

St. Patrick's Day: Downtown Chicago, March 15

The leprechauns plan a big day on the Saturday before St. Pat's. Travel to the city on public transportation to see the dyeing of the Chicago River on Saturday morning. After the river is dyed emerald green, the famed Chicago St. Pats Parade will march the streets. There will be Irish festivities and music at Navy Pier all day. Party goers might even pop into an Irish pub, or two, for a green beer, Guinness or strong Irish Whiskey.

Navy Pier
St. Patrick's Day Celebration: A Weekend of Traditional Irish Celtic Music
Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, 2008, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm
Navy Pier's Pavilion Stage will celebrate Chicago's rich Irish heritage. Chicagoan's will be treated to two days of traditional Irish/Celtic acoustic music and bagpipes. The musical lineup includes: Stockyard Kitty Band Bagpipers, Gan Bua, The Sprigs, Ce and Anish. All ages are welcome. Admission is free.

While at the Irish celebration at Navy Pier, enter to win round trip air area to Dublin, Ireland on American Airlines. Sweepstakes end on March 16 at 4:30 pm. The drawing will be held at 5:30 pm.