For more than 60 years, Chicago has turned its downtown river green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The annual tradition actually has its roots in a big problem for the city: sewage. The river stays green for a few hours, adding to the atmosphere of the entire day’s celebrations. A City-Wide Celebration. The dyeing of the Chicago River is just one part of the city’s massive St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Once the river turns green, it’s time for the parade, which winds its way through downtown Chicago. The Chicago River getting dyed green is one of the city's most iconic St. Patrick's Day traditions and 2025 was no exception, as thousands lined the Riverwalk to see the river transform to an The Chicago River was dyed green for St. Patrick's Day Saturday in a fan favorite event. This video shows how it all happened - in under 30 seconds. "If you were watching this for the first time The Chicago River is dyed green as part of annual St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) Today marks the 63rd anniversary of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day tradition of transforming the Chicago River green. Crowds gather along the riverbanks to watch the magic happen — a ritual of history and celebration. Plumbers have dyed the Chicago River green since 1962, though the tradition was Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA dye the Chicago River green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Loop, Saturday, March 16, 2024. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Share Get St. Patrick's Day weekend celebrations are officially here, with an iconic Chicago tradition kicking off festivities Saturday morning as the Chicago River was dyed green. Beginning shortly after One of the most colorful Chicago traditions is on the horizon: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The legendary event, which dates back more than 60 years, takes place Chicago river dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. Since 1962, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 has been pouring 40 pounds of dye into a quarter-mile stretch of the river to help it For the last 60 years, enterprising Chicagoans have dyed the city’s river a vibrant green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Thousands of residents turn up to watch the Chicago River light up for St Patrick’s day events have drawn large crowds over the weekend, including the annual tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green. Kayakers react to boaters on March 15, 2025, in Chicago as the Chicago River is dyed green by the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. (Audrey Richardson Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, March 15, 2025 The 70th annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in the country and the centerpiece of the city’s unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Catch the festive procession on Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive. Chicago will once again go all out for St. Patrick's Day this year with one of the city's most iconic traditions: The 2025 Chicago River Dyeing. CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in cheers as members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed dye into the water from boats, carrying on a tradition they began some 63 years ago. Charlotte takes a fun twist on turning a river green; they also attempt to dye people green. The U.S. National Whitewater Center will host its 10 th annual Green River Revival, a full day of fun St. Patrick’s Day themed festivities, on March 16 th. Before dyeing their river and canal green, USNWC offers a 5k run where participants try to The Chicago River still turns green today! Every year, the river is dyed a few hours before the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will take place on Saturday, March 15 this year, just two The tradition returns this year thanks to the Chicago group that has been dyeing the river green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day for decades By Grace Erwin • Published March 3, 2025 St. Patrick's Day brings green decorations, outfits and even beer, so it's only fitting that the nation's county with the most Irish people take it a step further and dye a waterway green. Monday
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