TODAY: Chicago River dyeing for St. Patrick's Day celebrations
CHICAGO - St. Patrick's Day celebrations are underway across Chicago and the river is set to be dyed a brilliant green.
St. Patrick's Day celebration in Chicago
Streaming:
The Chicago River dyeing is set for Saturday, March 14, beginning at 10 a.m.
The transformation typically lasts several hours, though the most dramatic color shift happens in the first 30 to 45 minutes.
Chicago St. Patrick's Day 2026: Everything you need to know
Get ready to shamrock and roll! Here's your guide to the Chicago River dyeing, parades and can't-miss events kicking off St. Patrick's Day 2026.
Chicago River dyeing
What we know:
The dyeing begins just west of the Columbus Drive bridge and stretches east toward Orleans Street, stopping before Wolf Point.
During the event, some bridges will close to spectators. The Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans bridges will remain open for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The Chicago Riverwalk will close at 11 p.m. Friday, March 13, and remain closed through Saturday. It will reopen at 6 a.m. Sunday.
People gather on the banks of the Chicago River dyed green in Chicago, the United States, on March 12, 2022. The Chicago River was dyed green on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick's Day, which is marked on March 17. (Vincent D. Johnson/Xinhua via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The backstory:
The tradition dates back to 1962.
Former Mayor Richard J. Daley originally floated the idea of turning Lake Michigan green. Realizing that might be a bit ambitious, he pivoted to the Chicago River instead.
Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 have handled the dyeing ever since. They use about 40 pounds of a vegetable-based orange-red powder – yes, orange-red – that runs green once it hits the water.
The formula is non-toxic, but the exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
The Source: The information in this report came from the City of Chicago.