South Side Irish Parade Pre-Parade Bash Planned At 115 Bourbon Street

CHICAGO — The South Side Irish Parade will kick off festivities with a pre-parade fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. at 115 Bourbon Street, located at 3359 W. 115th Street, Merrionette Park.

Tickets are $50 at the door. Admission includes a dinner buffet, draft beer and wine. The event will feature raffle prizes, a silent auction, announcement of the South Side Irish Parade Queen, and much more. Partygoers can also purchase tickets in advance at South Side Irish Parade Fundraiser.

Live Irish music will be performed by Larkin and Moran Brothers and Whiskey Mick.

Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, has been named 2026 grand marshal.

St. Christina Parish, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has been selected parade honoree. The parish has a whole year of events planned to celebrate St. Christina’s centennial. Rev. Ryan Brady, pastor of St. Christina, also serves as chaplain for the Chicago Fire Department.

The yearly late February party helps fund the iconic parade down Western Avenue. The South Side Irish Parade steps off from 103rd Street and Western Avenue on Sunday, March 15.