As 2023 carries on, we are beginning another month full of things to do around the city and suburbs. March, in particular, has a lot of well-known events worth seeing happening right around St. Patrick’s Day. Here are all of the details you will want to write down.
South Side Irish Parade
Mark your calendars! On Sunday, March 12, the annual South Side Irish parade will be taking place from 12 pm to 3 pm. You can find this parade around 103rd and Western Avenue. Throughout the parade, they will be heading south towards 115th and Western.
While the parade is free to watch, there is a Kickoff Party available with tickets going for $40 per person. It will go from 3 to 8 pm at 115 Bourbon Street. Be sure to check it out if you like seeing live music, food, and drinks. Featured musicians include Pat Finnegan & Friends, Liam Durkin, and 4Cast. For more information, click here.
Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This year the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. The parade will take place downtown, starting at the intersection of Columbus and Balbo Drive. The conclusion should happen on Monroe Street.
This year’s guest of honor is Danny Collins, the Mayor of Cork County in Ireland. The theme will be “Recognizing Workers’ Rights”. Visitors can expect a lot of colorful floats and amazing performers to fill their afternoon. There are plenty of places to watch the parade from. If you are interested in VIP Grandstand seating, click here to purchase tickets.
The River Dyeing
What would St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago be without the traditional dyeing of the Chicago River? For 2023, this event is planned to happen on March 11 around 9 am. This is surely an event like no other and it only happens once a year. If you are already planning on attending the parade, you can plan to show up a few hours earlier to see the river be dyed green.
It has been said that there are good views for the event around Michigan Avenue’s East side, Columbus Drive’s West side, or Wacker Drive. For even more information, or to stay up to date on any changes, click here for the parade’s official site.
Shamrock Shuffle
Looking for a way to get active in the city this month? The annual Shamrock Shuffle has you covered! It will be held on Sunday, March 26 this year. They offer three different racing options: the 8K Run, the 2-Mile Walk, and The Mile. Racers of every level are welcome to celebrate this wonderful time of year in Chicago.
The 8K will go through the Chicago Loop towards Grant Park and it costs $60 to partake in. Be sure to get the 8K tickets as soon as possible as the price will increase after March 15. The 2-Mile will take place along the lakefront and costs $35 to do. The Mile will go through Grant Park. This race will cost $25 for adults and $15 for youth ages 8-12.
To register and find more information on the races, click here.
Chicago Polar Plunge
Looking for a spontaneous event for a cause to attend? The Polar Plunge is happening this weekend on Sunday, March 5 at Lake Michigan. Every year, the Polar Plunge raises money for Special Olympics Chicago. If you are late to join this event, it is free to register. However, in order to receive the souvenir items from the event, you must raise $200 by the day of the event.
If you are not interested in taking a dip into the water while it is still cold outside, the Polar Plunge offers a Virtual Plunger option to support everyone participating and still help fundraise for their cause. Click here to register.
24th Chicago Irish Film Festival
Are you a fan of exploring the world of film and watching new videos? This year’s Irish Film Festival in Chicago has many options to choose from. There are in-person viewings offered from March 2-5 as well as virtual options offered from March 6-12. So if you want something cool to do this month without the stress of going out, this is the perfect option for youThe In-Person All Access Pass costs $150 and the Virtual All Access Pass costs $100. If you choose to see the in-person showings, they will be held at AMC New City Theater and Gallery Theater: Society for Arts. The passes are separate and do not include the other. To purchase passes and see a calendar of the scheduled showings, click here.
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