Chicago River Dyed Green for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

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The annual tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day took place on Saturday, with members of the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 union spraying a dye concoction into the waters to celebrate the holiday. The tradition dates back to 1961 when the business manager of the union came up with the idea after seeing a plumber's overalls dyed green by leak-detecting dye. After the river dyeing, a pair of professional jet ski riders put on a high-speed performance on the emerald waters.

Why it matters

The dyeing of the Chicago River is one of the Windy City's most famous and long-standing St. Patrick's Day traditions, drawing thousands of spectators each year to witness the transformation of the waterway into a vibrant shade of green. The event is a beloved part of the city's Irish heritage and cultural celebrations.

The details

On Saturday morning, boatloads of members from the Chicago Plumbers Local 130 union sprayed a dye concoction into the waters of the Chicago River, turning it a bright emerald green. The annual tradition dates back to 1961 when the union's business manager, Stephen Bailey, came up with the idea after seeing a plumber's overalls dyed green by a dye used to detect leaks in the sewer system along the river. Though the dye appears orange initially, it transforms the river into a vivid shamrock color once it hits the surface.

• The river dyeing took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026 at 10 a.m.
• Shortly after the river dyeing concluded, professional jet ski riders performed a high-speed demonstration on the emerald waters.

What’s next

A miniature version of the shamrock-colored river will be on display through the end of March at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago in The Streets of Woodfield shopping center. There are also several St. Patrick's Day events happening throughout the city on Sunday and Tuesday.