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St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2025 in Chicago: St. Patrick Parades, Festivals, and More Things to Do

St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago. Photo by US Army Reserve Sgt 1st Class Michel Sauret via Flickr 2.0
St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Chicago. Photo by US Army Reserve Sgt 1st Class Michel Sauret via Flickr 2.0
3/12/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

The biggest, greenest party of the year in Chicago, St. Patrick's Day 2025 weekend has arrived! There are so many family-friendly St. Patrick's Day celebrations all over town. The biggest and greenest, of course, is the annual dyeing of the Chicago River on Saturday. But with kids, it might be just as fun to hit one of the many neighborhood celebrations—the South Side St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday is family-friendly, as are the Northwest Side celebration, and the St. Patrick's Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center. If you're not as interested in St Patrick's Day, make this weekend extra sweet by hitting up the Sugar Bush Festival or the Maple Tree Festival to see how maple syrup is made.

Spring break is right around the corner, and if you haven't made plans yet you can use our guide for cheap spring break travel ideas. Or if you haven't signed up for summer camps yet, now is a great time to look into our summer camp guide before they're all filled up!

Wishing you the luck of the Irish on this St. Patrick's Day 2025 weekend in Chicago!


More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids

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Things to Do St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2025 With Chicago Kids

Pi Day at CAMP Chicago

Old Town - FREE
Friday, March 14
Head to CAMP for a FREE, super-special, one-day-only Pi Day party at every CAMP location on March 14th. (Get it? 3.14? Math!) Celebrate this cool, irrational number, π, with hands-on activities, tasty treats, and plenty of surprises, thanks to Mathnasium.  READ MORE

Pandora's Box at Mudlark Theater

Evanston - FREE Thursday, March 13- Sunday, March 16
The gods of Mount Olympus are throwing a great party. But when Pandora opens a mysterious box containing all of mankinds’ evils, she throws the mortal and divine world into chaos. As she goes in search of the legendary Prometheus to help clean up this mess, Pandora encounters Narcissus, Queen Midas, Arachne, and a host of other Greek heroes who are victims of their own vices. Join Pandora on her epic journey in this clever and unexpected take on the ancient Greek myths. READ MORE

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade

Naperville - FREE
Saturday, March 15
Families can watch more than 100 parade entries including floats, cars, bands, dancers, and singers make their way through downtown Naperville at this event sponsored by West Suburban Irish. The parade starts at Naperville North High School and proceeds south on Mill Street to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to Main, and south on Main, ending at Water Street. READ MORE

Tales from the Great Outdoors

Lisle
Saturday, March 15
Visit The Morton Arboretum for Tales from the Great Outdoors, a children’s book event. Listen to captivating children’s stories that ignite a love for the great outdoors, meet talented children’s books authors, and get creative with hands-on activities that support literacy skill development. READ MORE

Maple Tree Festival at North Park Village Nature Center

North Park - FREE
Saturday, March 16 & Sunday, March 17
Celebrate and honor maple trees, how they are beneficial in nature, and the special gift of sap. Participate in activities that build empathy for trees, observe (and taste) the maple syrup process, and enjoy a day out in nature to notice the ways that animals (people and wildlife) engage with trees. READ MORE

Sugar Bush Fair

Schaumburg
Saturday, March 15 & Sunday, March 16
Spring Valley Nature Center's annual celebration of maple sugar is sweet. See demonstrations of how maple syrup and enjoy historic reenactments. READ MORE

The Dyeing of the Chicago River & St. Patrick's Day Parade

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, March 15
The Irish and Irish at heart can join the City of Chicago in the annual dyeing of the Chicago River in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The best place to see the dyeing is the intersection of Michigan Avenue, Wacker Drive, and the river. READ MORE

St. Patrick's Festival at the Irish American Heritage Center

Mayfair
Saturday, March 15
Celebrate all things Irish at the Irish American Heritage Center following the downtown St. Patrick's Day parade. Activities include contemporary Irish music, Irish dance, arts and crafts, vendors, exhibits, Irish language lessons, genealogy workshops, and a book sale. The Wiggleworms will perform for the kids. READ MORE

Corny Kids Theater Camp

North Center
Saturday, March 15
Step into the spotlight and create your own story at Corny Kids Theater Camp! Young performers will explore playwriting, character development, singing, and dancing, all while collaborating to bring an original mini-production to life. The session will end with a special performance for family and friends—your chance to shine on stage! READ MORE

ISKCON Naperville Holi with Flower Petals

Naperville
Saturday, March 15
Visit Barsana Banquets at ISKCON Naperville for a festive Holi celebration unlike any other. The event will include a Mridanga presentation by the youth, Dhol by Dholjazzy, and a Holi celebration with fresh flower petals instead of colored powder at 7 pm. Also, taste the unique foods associated with the Holi season. READ MORE

GO DOG GO! • VE PERRO ¡VE!

West Loop
Opens Saturday, March 15
Come along with these delightful dogs as they drive, swim, play baseball and make their way to the big dog party — all in a lively blend of English and Spanish. Like a pop-up book that comes to life, GO DOG GO! • VE PERRO ¡VE! is a heart-warming spectacle of music, color, language and delight, appealing to all ages. READ MORE

Find the Hidden Leprechaun at The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Lemont
Sunday, March 16
Bring the whole family to The Forge: Lemont Quarries for a St. Patrick’s Day adventure! Embark on a self-guided Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt and follow an enchanting story to uncover where the mischievous Leprechaun is hiding at the end of the rainbow. READ MORE

Palatine St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festivities

Palatine - FREE
Saturday, March 15
Join Durty Nellie's and Vicarious Multimedia for the 13th annual St. Patrick's Day Irish Breakfast, Parade and After Party! The parade runs through downtown Palatine and is followed by a celebration featuring Irish dancers, music, food and so much fun celebrating the holiday where everyone can be Irish for the day. READ MORE

Buffalo Grove Green STEM Fair

Buffalo Grove- FREE
Sunday, March 16
Showcase your ideas, projects, or research at the Green STEM Fair, organized by 4C STEM Club and the Buffalo Grove Park District Environmental Action Team! Kids in fifth grade and up can present their STEM project to the community, inspire others with their environmental solutions, gain experience in public speaking and presentation, and connect with like-minded students on their environmentally friendly STEM ideas. READ MORE

Family Nerf War West Chicago

West Chicago
Friday, March 14
Get ready for a night of family FUN! Families will enjoy a dinner of pizza and dessert before rotating through different Nerf activities, including a Parent/Child Nerf battle, target practice, and parachute games! Everyone is allowed to play, so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear! All participants must register and children must be accompanied by an adult. READ MORE

FITZGERALDS Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Berwyn
Saturday, March 16
Fitzgerald's hosts its annual family friendly St. Patrick's Day celebration featuring Fitz & The Celts, Switchback, The Shannon Rovers, and Mayer School Stepdancers. Families can also taste Irish fare from Babygold Barbecue. READ MORE

A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with The Galway Gals

Elmhurst
Sunday, March 16
Join our Music at Bethel celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! The classically-trained musical duo The Galway Gals, featuring guitarist guitarist Liz Berg McNichols and violinist Anna Gillan, blend the best of traditional Irish folk music with songs by modern Irish pop artists. Showcasing jigs and reels as well as Irish sentimental classics, the Galway Gals bring a breath of fresh air to their audiences in this festive tribute to the beloved holiday. READ MORE

South Side Irish Parade

Beverly - FREE
Sunday, March 16
The South Side Irish Parade will step off at noon from 103rd & Western and proceed south down Western Avenue to 115th Street. The Parade is one of the largest community-based St. Patrick's Day Parades outside of Ireland. READ MORE

Northwest Side Irish Parade

Norwood Park - FREE
Sunday, March 16
The 19th Annual Northwest Side Irish Parade will kick off at noon at Onahan School. The parade will end around 1:30 pm at Harlem Ave. The official after-party will begin at 1 pm at Zia's Social.   READ MORE

Maple Syrup Festival at River Trail Nature Center

Northbrook - FREE
Sunday, March 16
This festival includes tree tapping, maple syrup samples, games, and crafts. You will even get to learn a bit about the history of maple syrup. READ MORE

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