Chicago River Dyed Green for St. Patrick's Day

Annual tradition marks start of celebrations across the city

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:28pm

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Chicago's iconic St. Patrick's Day celebrations kicked off on Saturday with the annual dyeing of the Chicago River. Crews from the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union poured a special vegetable-based dye into the water, turning it a brilliant shade of green within minutes. The tradition dates back to 1962 and marks the start of the city's festivities for the Irish holiday.

Why it matters

The dyeing of the Chicago River is a beloved annual tradition that draws thousands of spectators and kicks off the city's St. Patrick's Day celebrations. It's a symbolic gesture that connects Chicago's Irish heritage and pride, and has become an iconic part of the city's cultural identity.

The details

The dyeing process begins just west of the Columbus Drive bridge and stretches east toward Orleans Street. It takes about 30-45 minutes for the river to reach its most vibrant green color. During the event, some bridges will close to pedestrians, but the Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans bridges will remain open. The Chicago Riverwalk will also be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday, March 13 through Saturday, before reopening on Sunday morning.

  • The dyeing of the Chicago River takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m.
  • The dramatic color shift happens in the first 30 to 45 minutes of the dyeing process.

The players

Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130

The members of this union have handled the dyeing of the Chicago River since the tradition began in 1962. They use a secret vegetable-based formula to turn the river green.

Richard J. Daley

The former Mayor of Chicago originally proposed the idea of dyeing Lake Michigan green for St. Patrick's Day, before settling on the Chicago River instead.

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What’s next

The Chicago Riverwalk will reopen at 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026 after being closed for the dyeing event.

The takeaway

The dyeing of the Chicago River is an iconic St. Patrick's Day tradition that has become an integral part of Chicago's cultural identity, connecting the city's Irish heritage and pride. It's a symbolic gesture that kicks off the city's celebrations and draws thousands of spectators each year.