Irish eyes will be smiling when many towns will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade.
Unlike a summer parade where almost anything goes, St. Patrick’s Day parades are very specifically themed. They’re usually full of Irish dancers, bagpipers and drummers, in addition to the usual civic groups, marching bands, emergency vehicles and politicians.
Here are some area St. Patrick’s Day parades. They’re free to attend unless otherwise noted. While we do our best to ensure accuracy, it’s always a good idea to check out the website or call if you have further questions.
Aurora
Daniel D. Dolan St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 11 a.m. March 17, 44 E. Downer Place. 630-256-4636; facebook.com/cityofaurorail and search events.
Wear your green and support Aurora’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade. It begins at the corner of Water Street and Downer Place, heads west on Downer and ends at Stolp Avenue. The Irish Flag Raising Ceremony follows the parade in front of the G.A.R. Museum, 20 E. Downer Place.
Chicago
South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 12 p.m. March 17 at 103rd Street and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th and Western. southsideirishparade.org/event/2024-south-side-irish-parade.
The parade – which has grown to become the largest St. Patrick’s Day community-based parade outside of Dublin, Ireland – goes through Chicago’s Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods. A family-friendly event, it lasts about two hours and features Irish dance schools, bagpipers and marching bands, floats, community groups and a celebration of the South Side’s Irish culture and heritage. There is a zero-tolerance policy in place for drunken shenanigans.
Crown Point, Indiana
Nighttime St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Dusk (around 7 p.m.) March 17 at Crown Point on the Square, Joliet and Main streets. 219-662-3290; facebook.com/CityofCrownPointIN.
Crown Point’s nighttime St. Patrick’s Day parade returns with bagpipers and community groups celebrating the culture of the Emerald Isle. Parade participants are being asked to adorn their entries with at least 500 lights. Food and retail vendors will be set up on Joliet Street between Court and Main streets from 3 to 9 p.m. A seating and vendor area on the lawn of the Lake County Courthouse will become Shamrock Lane. Vote for your favorite parade float on the city’s website. Winners will be announced during the April city council meeting.
East Dundee
Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 11 a.m. March 9 at Rosie O’Hare’s Public House, 702 Water St. 847-426-2822; dundeestpats.org or facebook.com/ThomMcNameeParade.
The parade travels down Barrington Road to River Street and ends at Bandito Barneys Beach Club, 10 N. River St., East Dundee. It will feature bagpipers, dancers, stilt walkers and more, but no politicians.
The Parade Your Pet pet Parade is at 9:30 a.m. at East Dundee’s Downtown Depot, 319 N. River St. Let your four-legged leprechauns strut their stuff for a chance at prizes and a chance to march in the people parade.
Elmhurst
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 12 p.m. March 9 at Wilson Street and Spring Road in Elmhurst. 630-834-0300; elmhurststpatsparade.com.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade travels north on Spring Road from Wilson Street and ends at the railroad one block south of St. Charles Road in front of Silverado Grill. The parade features 80 floats, Irish dancers, the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, mascots Benny the Bull, Southpaw and Tommy Hawk, the Chicago Highlanders Pipe and Drum, Medinah Clowns, Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra featuring Mary, the World’s Largest Drum and the York High School Marching Band.
Flossmoor
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 2 p.m. March 17 at the Flossmoor Community Church Community House, 847 Hutchinson Road. 708-798-2300; facebook.com/fcccommunityhouse.
Celebrate the holiday with your friends and neighbors at the 17th annual community parade.
Hammond, Indiana
HC3 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 2 p.m. March 16 at 6725 Kennedy Ave. facebook.com/hc3hessville.
The parade travels north along Kennedy Avenue, ending at 161st Street. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. is the grand marshal and the Chicago Garda Pipes and Drums band will lead the parade.
Lake Villa
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 12 p.m. March 16 at Palombi Middle School, 133 McKinley Ave. 847-356-6100; facebook.com/VillageOfLakeVilla and search events.
The parade begins at the middle school, continues on Grand to Cedar Avenue and ends at the Lake Villa train station. A corned beef lunch at the Lake Villa VFW follows the parade.
Lemont
32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 1 p.m. March 9 at 418 Main St. 630-257-1550; facebook.com/villageoflemont.
This family-friendly parade begins on north Stephen Street near the I&M Canal and heads west down Main Street to Legion Park. Participants include the 2024 Queen, Lemontster Archie and the Stockyard Kilty Band.
McHenry
ShamRocks the Fox Parade: 12 p.m. March 16. Miller Point Park, 1202 N. Riverside Drive. 815-893-6280; naturallymchenrycounty.com/event/mchenry-shamrocks-the-fox-parade/1682.
The parade lines up on Kane Street near Chauncey H. Duker School, traveling along Green Street to Pearl Street to Riverside Drive and ending at Broad Street. The Sham-Rocks the Fox festival is held at Miller Point Park.
Naperville
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 10 a.m. March 9 at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. 630-457-1943; wsirish.org.
Presented by the West Suburban Irish, the annual event attracts more than 3,000 participants and 15,000 spectators. The route extends across Aurora Avenue from Main Street down to Porter and finishes at Naperville Central High School. There will be bands, bagpipers and drummers, Irish dancers, community groups and Medinah Shriners.
Plainfield
Hometown Irish Parade: 1 p.m. March 17 at Plainfield Central High School, 24120 Fort Beggs Drive. plainfieldirishparade.org or facebook.com/PlainfieldIrishParade.
The parade, presented by the Village Preservation Association, makes its way through downtown by going east on Commercial Street, north on Illinois Avenue, west on Lockport Street and south on James Street. The parade features bagpipers, Irish dancers, bands and more. The bike decorating contest returns this year as well. This year’s grand marshal is Jamie Littell, owner of Moe Joe’s Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine.
St. Charles
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 2 p.m. March 9, 6th and Main streets. 630-443-3967; stcstpatricksparade.com.
The parade travels down Main Street, concluding at 4th Avenue. The parade features bagpipers, dancers, marching bands, floats and more.
Yorkville
Irish Parade: 11 a.m. March 16 at the eastern end of Hydraulic Avenue. 630-553-4357; yorkville.il.us/632/St-Patricks-Day-Celebration.
The parade continues down East Hydraulic ending at Illinois 47. The parade features the Procession Brass Band as well as community groups and more.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
