Chicago River dyeing: It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day if the Chicago River weren’t green. Crews will dye the river Saturday morning between Orleans Street and Columbus Drive. While the Riverwalk will be closed, there’s plenty of room to watch along Upper Wacker Drive. Or consider a river cruise. Several options are available — kid-friendly and otherwise — from stripped-down taxis to party boats. More details for March 15 at Chicago Boat Co., Chicago Line Cruises, Chicago Sport & Social Club, Chicago Water Taxi, City Cruises, First Lady, Shoreline Sightseeing and Wendella.
St. Patrick’s Day Parades: Sure, you can go to the parade downtown, but for my pot o’ gold, I’d head to the South Side Irish Parade. Beverly and Morgan Park have long been Irish strongholds, and the neighborhood vibe is strong. It’s certainly not the only option, though; here’s a quick roundup: Avondale St. Patrick’s Parade at 10 a.m. March 15 from 3471 N. Elston Ave. Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade at noon March 15 from Archer and Oak Park avenues to Merrimac Avenue. Chicago Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 12:15 p.m. March 15 from Columbus and Balbo drives, heading north to Monroe Street. Durty Nellie’s St. Patrick’s Parade at 11 a.m. March 15 from Oak and Wood streets west to Smith Street in Palatine. Northwest Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade at noon March 16 from North Neola Avenue and West Raven Street before turning northwest on North Northwest Highway to North Harlem Avenue. South Side Irish Parade at noon March 16 from 103rd Street and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th Street.
St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Where to watch Chicago River dyeing and parades
Shamrock’n: Celebrate the holiday at Old St. Pat’s in the West Loop — one few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire. Indulge in a drink or two and some Irish pub fare while your kids are occupied with crafts, balloon artists and face-painting. The Chicago Garda Pipe and Drums and Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band will perform. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 15 at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 625 W. Adams St.; tickets $35 (kids 5 and under free) at oldstpats.org
Get Sham-ROCKED! St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: It’s an excuse to say farewell to the Hard Rock Cafe, which is scheduled to close for good at the end of the month. The Hat Guys and the Shannon Rovers headline festivities, featuring an all-ages indoor party and a heated tent for the 21-and-over set. Bagpipers will be on hand, too, and, of course, drinks and Irish fare will be served. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. March 15 at Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, 63 W. Ontario St.; suggested $5 donation benefits the Hard Rock Heals Foundation; more details at cafe.hardrock.com
St. Patrick’s Day Fest at the Irish American Heritage Center: The festivities last all day Saturday and again on Monday evening in the center’s Fifth Province Pub on St. Patrick’s Day itself, with lineups of music (including the very busy Shannon Rovers), Irish dance troupes, food and drinks. 1-11 p.m. March 15 (tickets $15-$20) and 4-11 p.m. March 17 (tickets $10) at 4626 N. Knox Ave.; more details at irish-american.org
Mary J. Blige: Following on the fall release of her album, “Gratitude,” Grammy-winner Mary J. Blige brings her “For My Fans” tour to the United Center. Ne-Yo and Mario open. 7 p.m. March 14 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $485 at maryjblige.com
“Dr. Phil Live!”: Comedian Adam Ray brings his Dr. Phil parody to The Chicago Theatre. Perhaps you’ve seen one of many installments on YouTube — “Dr. Phil Helps Bill Burr Manage his Rage” — or the Netflix special where he appeared with the real Dr. Phil McGraw. In any case, the show promises celebrity guests and surprise characters. 7:30 p.m. March 16 at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $63.50 at adamraycomedy.com
“Dummy in a Diaspora”: Esho Rasho, a 2023 DePaul University graduate, is a “striking figure with a new solo show … about searching for a home in Chicago within the context of an Assyrian immigrant family,” according to a Tribune review. “Dummy in a Diaspora” explores the complexity of identity for a young, queer man who doesn’t want to disappoint his family. Through March 23 at the Jackalope Theatre at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway St.; tickets $15-$35 at jackalopetheatre.org
“Contemporary Casta Portraiture: Nuestra ‘Calidad’ ”: This weekend is your last chance to catch Delilah Montoya’s photography exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art. Sixteen familial portraits examine experience in the Southwest United States and Mexican borderlands, layering DNA testing to map human migration. The work is designed to recall 18th century Casta paintings from colonial Mexico that aimed to classify people by race. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through March 16 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.; more details on the free museum at nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
Restauranteur Grant DePorter holds a baseball from the 1919 World Series at Tribune Tower Residences on Aug. 24, 2022.
South Side Fireflies: Looking to groove through your toddler’s playgroup? Check out South Side Fireflies, a free, early childhood music program set to the tunes of Earth, Wind & Fire. Teaching artists Shanta Nurullah, Zahra Baker, Angel Bat Dawid and Julian Otis lead a morning gathering of music and fun. Designed for children ages 1-5. 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. March 15 at the Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard; registration encouraged but not required at events.uchicago.edu
Toast to Harry Caray & Curse-Breaking Ceremony: White Sox fans, your suffering soon may pass. The 27th annual toast commemorating the death of Harry Caray will also feature an attempt to break the latest Chicago baseball curse—that of the “Black Sox Ball.” The infamous ball from the 1919 World Series scandal was discovered in 2022 following the opening of a 1920 time capsule inside the old Tribune Tower. It was rehoused in the Chicago Sports Museum, and not long after, the Sox started to lose. To reverse the curse, the ball will be escorted by security and bagpipers (the Shannon Rovers — again!) out of the museum and back to Tribune Tower. The toast to the beloved sports broadcaster will follow. 5 p.m. March 18 at Harry Caray’s Tavern, Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.; details at harrycarays.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com
