Chicago's South Side Irish Parade Celebrates 48th Year

The annual event in the Beverly neighborhood draws thousands to honor Irish heritage and community.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:55am

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The 48th annual South Side Irish Parade is set to take place on Sunday in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood. The parade, which celebrates Irish heritage and community, will feature floats, marching bands, and thousands of spectators lining the streets along Western Avenue from 103rd Street to 111th Street.

Why it matters

The South Side Irish Parade is one of Chicago's best-known St. Patrick's Day traditions, drawing large crowds each year to celebrate Irish culture and community. The parade serves as an important annual event for the city's Irish American population.

The details

More than 100 groups are expected to participate in the parade, including pipe bands, Irish dancers, community organizations, local schools, and first responder honor guards. The 2026 parade will feature the Tunnel to Towers Foundation as the grand marshal, a national nonprofit that supports the families of fallen first responders and military service members.

  • The parade will step off at noon on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • Floats will begin staging along Western Avenue throughout the morning.

The players

Tunnel to Towers Foundation

A national nonprofit that supports the families of fallen first responders and military service members by providing mortgage-free homes and support services.

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The takeaway

The South Side Irish Parade remains an important annual tradition for Chicago's Irish American community, celebrating the city's rich cultural heritage and bringing the neighborhood together for a festive St. Patrick's Day celebration.