11 St. Paddy’s Day Fests, Parades You Don't What To Miss In 2026

From downtown Chicago to the suburbs, the luck of the Irish will soon be taking over with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for everyone.

Chicago’s most iconic St. Patrick’s Day tradition returns on Saturday, March 14, as crews from the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 dye the Chicago River emerald green, delighting crowds along downtown bridges and the riverwalk.

But the fun doesn’t stop there — suburbs across McHenry, Kane and Lake counties, including McHenry, St. Charles, and West and East Dundee, are hosting their own parades, festivals and family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the coming weeks. Some even have their own river-dyeing events.

Here’s a roundup of festivals and St. Patrick’s Day‑themed events happening in the Chicago area in the coming weeks:

Chicago River Goes Green: March 14

The beloved Chicago tradition typically happens on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. This year, the dyeing will take place on March 14 when members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 release an eco‑friendly, vegetable‑based dye into the Chicago River, turning the water a vivid emerald green, according to Little Chicago Guide.

The dyeing begins at 10 a.m. and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The river will stay green for several hours before fading naturally. Spectators typically gather along Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus Drive and State Street or on bridges over the river to catch the spectacle, according to TimeOut Chicago

This event draws thousands of people and kicks off a weekend of festive activities in the city, including the downtown St. Paddy's Day parade.

Suburban St. Patrick’s Day Festivals and Parades

McHenry — ShamROCKS the Fox

• Where: Downtown McHenry and the Fox River
• When: March 13–15, 2026
• McHenry’s signature St. Patrick’s celebration returns with three days of festivities, including the dyeing of the Fox River, music, vendors, a 5K run, a parade, and fireworks along the riverfront. Viewing spots like Pearl Street Bridge and Miller Point Park are popular with locals and visitors alike, according to the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. More information is available here

St. Charles St. Patrick's Parade, Events

• Where: Main Street, St. Charles
• When: Saturday, March 14
• St. Charles hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Parade, featuring lively floats, Irish dancers, high school bands and more. There will also be an opening ceremony, photo opportunities and a shamrock hunt. You can find more information here.

West & East Dundee — Thom McNamee Memorial Parade & More

• East Dundee and West Dundee
• Saturday, March 7, 2026
• The Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a themed “DUblinDEE” Kilted 5K Run/Walk, and a pet parade are all a part of the fun in East Dundee and West Dundee. It’s a fun, family‑friendly event that marks the beginning of March’s Irish festivities before more celebrations kick off the weekend before St. Paddy's day. A full event schedule can be found here.

Grayslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration

• Where: Downtown Grayslake

• When: March 14

• This is the 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities in Grayslake’s village center, with a community parade stepping off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, followed by music, food, Irish dancers and more family‑friendly fun along Center Street. More information is available here.

Lake Villa St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Corned Beef Luncheon

• Where: McKinley Avenue, Lake Villa

• When: March 14
• The Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place at noon on Saturday, March 14, 2026, running along McKinley Avenue. A traditional corned beef luncheon will follow at the Lake Villa VFW Hall, 65 Cedar Avenue. More information is available here.

Other fun festivals worth noting:

• 15th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Palatine on March 14
• Grand Marshals Announced For March 15 Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade
• South Side Irish Parade on March 15
• Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 7
• Lemont St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival
• West Suburban Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 14 In Naperville