Bring your little lucky charms to St. Patrick’s Day events filled with Irish dancers, live music, and all things green. You’ll enjoy plenty of parades, alongside gold coin hunts, 5ks, and leprechaun games this spring. Chicago is world-famous for our St. Patrick’s Day festivities, so we’ve included events in the city, too. Put on your shamrock attire and get out to celebrate; everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Events for 2025
Irish pride is found throughout the city the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t miss a chance to see the Chicago River dyed green or celebrate at one of the parades!
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade and River Dyeing
March 15, 2025 | all day festivities
The river is dyed around 10:00am, and the parade kicks off at 12:00pm.
Shamrock’n The Block (Old St. Pat’s Church, Chicago)
March 15, 2025 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Purchase tickets in advance to guarantee admission to this family-festival.
South Side Irish Parade
March 16, 2025 | parade steps off at 12:00pm
The South Side Irish parade is the biggest community St. Patrick’s Day parade outside of Ireland itself, and it’s known for being a rollicking good time.
St. Patrick’s Day Northwest Side Irish Parade
March 16, 2025 | parade steps off at 12:00pm
The Northwest Side Irish parade may be smaller than its South Side counterpart, but it’s still an impressive parade with local pride on full display.
Shamrock and Roll (State Street and Dearborn Street, Chicago)
March 16, 2025 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
This two-day festival includes live music, Irish food, and much more. Children’s activities, which include face painting and crafts, will take place on Sunday, March 16.
Choose Chicago also has a great overview of the festivities happening in the city. They’ve included details about the parades, as well as food and drink specials, river cruises, and other ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.
St. Patrick’s Day Events, Parades, and Activities in the Suburbs
St Patricks Day Gold Coin Hunt (Burr Ridge)
March 1, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Find gold coins at this annual event, which also includes refreshments and crafts.
St Patricks Day Parade (Countryside)
March 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Countryside’s annual parade kicks off from 55th Place and Edgewood.
St Patricks Day Parade (Forest Park)
March 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Festivities along Madison Street at this family-favorite parade.
Running o’ the Green 8k (Tinley Park)
March 2, 2025 | 8:00am
Put on a green shirt and stretch those legs at this annual 8k event.
Leprechaun Hunt Pajama Storytime (Lisle)
March 5, 2025 | 6:00pm – 6:30pm
The Lisle Public Library is hosting this festive storytime. Registration is required.
Irish I was a Dancer (Lemont Public Library)
March 5, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Learn some new moves from Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dancing. Registration is required.
Shamrock Crafts (Hanover Park)
March 8, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Join the Hanover Park Park District for festive fun including crafts and prizes.
St. Patrick’s Family Day (Aurora)
March 8, 2025 | 10:00am – 4:30pm
Join the festivities at Ballydoyle’s Irish Pub with crafts, live music and Irish dancers.
Elmhurst St Patricks Day Parade
March 8, 2025 | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Visit downtown Elmhurst for their annual parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Fest (Lemont)
March 8, 2025 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Stop by the VFW hall after the parade to keep the fun going with live music and Irish dancers.
St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt (Park Ridge)
March 9, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:00am
Join this outdoor scavenger hunt to find leprechaun’s treasures. Registration is required.
Leprechaun Hunt (Rosemont)
March 10, 2025 | 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Join the Rosemont Park District for festive fun. Register in advance.
How to Trap a Leprechaun Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library)
March 12, 2025 | 4:30pm – 5:00pm
March 17, 2025 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Register in advance for festive storytime fun.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with the O’Hara Irish Dancers (Elmwood Park)
March 12, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Register in advance for this celebration with the Elmwood Park Public Library.
Catch a Leprechaun Storytime (Warrenville)
March 13, 2025 | 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Visit the Warrenville Public Library for a special storytime and to make a leprechaun trap.
Shake Your Shamrock (Roselle)
March 14, 2025 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy a dance party, gold coin hunt, and special St. Patrick’s Day crafts. Registration required.
Trinity Irish Dance Academy Performance (Brookfield)
March 14, 2025 | 11:15am – 12:00pm
Visit the Brookfield Public Library for this special performance.
SouthTown Shamrock Shenanigans (Oak Park)
March 15, 2025 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Visit Carnival Grocery Store for crafts, story times, treasure hunts, and more.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Naperville)
March 15, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Naperville’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations usually kick off with their St. Paddy’s Day 5k, followed by the West Suburban Irish parade.
Pot of Gold Park Stroll (St. Charles)
March 15, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Walk the path through Mt. St. Mary’s Park searching for hidden treasures and earning prizes. Register in advance to ensure participation.
Trinity Irish Dancers (Woodridge Public Library)
March 15, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Try Irish dancing after watching a traditional performance.
Pot of Gold Climb (Hoffman Estates)
March 15, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Climb for treasures and treats at The Club at Prairie Stone.
Thom McNamee Memorial Dundee St. Patrick’s Day Parade (East Dundee)
March 15, 2025 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Visit this annual parade and festivities. In year’s past, you could come early to watch the pet parade, Parade Your Pet. The 2025 details for the pet parade have not yet been announced.
String Theory Fiddle Ensemble (Batavia Public Library)
March 15, 2025 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Register in advance for festive Irish, Scottish and American music performances.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Palatine)
March 15, 2025 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Traditional breakfast and more festivities at this annual event.
St. Patrick’s Day Party (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
March 15, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Visit the library for special St. Patrick’s day festivities.
St. Patrick’s Parade (Downtown St. Charles)
March 15, 2025 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Festivities proceed down Main Street at St. Charles’ annual parade.
Geocaching Gold (St. Charles)
March 16, 2025 | 9:00am – 11:00am
Visit LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve to find gold with GPS units. Registration is required.
Leapin’ Leprechauns (Downers Grove)
March 16, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Register in advance for a chance to play Irish games, and hunt for clovers at Lyman Woods.
Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt (Lemont)
March 16, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Enjoy a scavenger hunt through the grounds of The FORGE: Lemont Quarries. Make sure to claim your prize.
St. Patrick’s Day Procession and Annual Irish Flag Raising Ceremony (Aurora)
March 16, 2025 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Head to downtown Aurora for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Hometown Irish Parade (Plainfield)
March 16, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Visit downtown Plainfield for their annual parade.
St. Patrick’s Day Craft (Downers Grove Public Library)
March 17, 2025 | 10:00am – 4:00pm
Drop in for special St. Patrick’s Day crafts, while supplies last.
St. Patrick’s Day Storytime (Elmwood Park)
March 17, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:00am
Registration is required for festive storytime.
Leprechaun Hunt (Clarendon Hills)
March 17, 2025 | 12:30pm – 1:15pm
Hunt for leprechaun clues on the playground and collect gold for prizes. Register in advance.
St. Patrick’s Day Storytime (Bolingbrook)
March 17, 2025 | 1:30pm – 2:15pm
Visit the Fountaindale Public Library for a holiday-themed storytime.
Catch A Leprechaun Day (Bellwood)
March 17, 2025 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Make leprechaun traps with the Bellwood Public Library.
Rainbow and Leprechauns Preschool Pop-Up (La Grange)
March 19, 2025 | 11:45am – 12:30pm
Register in advance for festive fun with Gemini Gymnastics Academy.
2024 Events Not Yet Announced
These organizations hosted events in 2024, but have not announced their 2025 plans as of February 14. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.
- DIY Leprechaun Trap (Westchester) – March 11, 2024
- Baby’s Lucky Leprechaun (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood) – March 14, 2024
- Luck of the Little Ones (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood) – March 15, 2024
- St. Paw-trick’s Day (Naperville) – March 16, 2024
Wherever you go, whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you!
Irish Proverb
To submit a photo of your kids decked out for the holiday, email Annie at annie@mykidlist.com. We love featuring local families! For more fun things to do with your family, check out our spring activities round-up.
