Chicago River Dyeing Set for 10 a.m. Saturday as St. Patrick’s Day 2026 Celebrations Begin

Chicago River dyeing is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, starting at 10: 00 a. m. ET, as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations get underway across Chicago. The river is set to turn a bright green, with the most dramatic color change expected in the first 30 to 45 minutes, while the full transformation typically lasts several hours.

Chicago River Dyeing: Time, Route, and Where to Watch

The dyeing is set to begin just west of the Columbus Drive bridge and stretch east toward Orleans Street, stopping before Wolf Point. Viewing is available along the river, including from Upper Wacker Drive.

Organizers have also outlined what spectators should expect during the event. Some bridges will close to spectators during the dyeing, while the Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans bridges will remain open for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Bridge and Riverwalk Closures During the Event

The Chicago Riverwalk is scheduled to close at 11: 00 p. m. ET Friday, March 13, and remain closed through Saturday. It is set to reopen at 6: 00 a. m. ET Sunday.

Officials also said bridge closures will be in effect during the dyeing, with Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans continuing to allow traffic. People planning to watch the Chicago River dyeing are encouraged to factor those restrictions into their travel plans.

Parades, Theme, and Other St. Patrick’s Day 2026 Events

The 71st annual Chicago Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled to run along Columbus Drive between Monroe Street and Balbo Drive. The 2026 parade theme, “Faith, Peace, & Unity, ” is inspired by Pope Leo XIV.

Street closures for the parade are expected to begin as early as 8: 00 a. m. ET, including Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Wacker Drive and east/west streets within those boundaries. Streets within the boundary of Monroe Street between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive will also be closed.

Additional events scheduled for Saturday include:

• Shamrock Crawl – Wrigleyville: Scheduled from 8: 00 a. m. ET to 6: 00 p. m. ET, with street closures expected from 6: 00 a. m. ET to 6: 00 p. m. ET on portions of N. Clark Street, W. Eddy Street, and N. Seminary Avenue.
• South Side Irish Parade: Scheduled to step off at noon ET at 103rd and Western Avenue and march south to 115th and Western Avenue. Parking restrictions are expected on both sides of Western Avenue from 103rd to 112th Streets. Street closures along the route and staging area may begin as early as 7: 00 a. m. ET, with the parade expected to end at 4: 00 p. m. ET.
• Northwest Side Irish Parade: Scheduled to step off at noon ET at Onahan School at 6634 W. Raven St., proceeding south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway and north to Harlem Avenue. Northwest Highway is scheduled to close to vehicles at 9: 00 a. m. ET, and parking restrictions are in effect along the route beginning at 7: 00 a. m. ET.

Weather could also be a factor during the morning river event, with a chance for snow in the forecast as the river is being dyed on Saturday.

Separately, city the Chicago Police Department will have an increased presence at St. Patrick’s Day events across the city on Saturday.

Who Dyes the River and What’s in the Dye

Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 have handled the dyeing. They use about 40 pounds of a vegetable-based orange-red powder that turns green once it hits the water. The formula is described as non-toxic, though the exact recipe is kept secret.

The idea of coloring the water for the holiday dates back to former Mayor Richard J. Daley, who initially floated the idea of turning Lake Michigan green before shifting the focus to the Chicago River.