In cooperation with our cross-sector safety partners, Marksman Titan Security is monitoring the events around the City of Chicago’s 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and River Dyeing, set to be held on Saturday, March 15. The following activities around the celebration are listed below along with additional festivities to be held on Sunday March, 16.
Road Closures
Expect street closures as early as 8 a.m. including Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Wacker Drive and east/west streets in those boundaries. Streets within the boundary of Monroe Street between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed. DuSable Lake Shore Drive or State Street can be used as an alternate route. For additional details, visit chicagostpatricksdayparade.org.
River Dyeing
The Chicago River will be dyed green beginning at 10 a.m. just west of the Columbus bridge to the east of Orleans before Wolf Point. During the dyeing of the river, bridges will be closed to spectators, however, the Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans bridges will remain open for vehicular/pedestrian traffic. The Chicago Riverwalk will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday, March 15, through the day on Saturday, March 16 until 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 17. The river dyeing can be viewed along the river from Upper Wacker Drive.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 12:15 p.m. at Balbo and Columbus Drive proceeding north to Monroe Street.
Similar to previous years, the Chicago Police Department will have an increased police presence at all St. Patrick’s Day events across the city, including at the Chicago River Dyeing, the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Northwest Side Irish Parade and the South Side Irish Parade. CPD has also been working with fellow City agencies and public safety partners to ensure sufficient resources are in place during these celebrations. Parade organizers and the city will be postured accordingly to ensure public safety to promote a family-friendly environment.
Entry to the parade route along Columbus begins at 11 a.m. and will only be permitted at Jackson and Ida B. Wells Drive (formerly Congress Drive) and all entry points will have security checkpoints where all purses and bags will be checked. Coolers, alcoholic beverages, camelbacks, or personal water bottles will not be permitted along the parade route.
Grant Park and Lakefront Poles Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, residents are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area and on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from 5700 North to 6600 South to help them reference their location along the lakefront and within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. For more information, click here.
*We will provide any updates as information becomes available and/or changes regarding the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Millennium Park Closures
The following areas of the Park will be closed to the public until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 16:
- East/West Walkways
- Lurie Garden
- BP Bridge
- Cloud Gate
- North, South and Central Promenades
- Crown Fountain
- Wrigley Square
- North and South Boeing Galleries
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion; including the Great Lawn
The Millennium Hall Restaurant will open for business at 10:00 a.m. with tickets/reservations being required to enter.
Maggie Daley Park Closures
Partial closure of the park will start at 8:00 am and park will reopen at 3:00 pm or at the discretion of Chicago Police Department.
Iron barricades and mesh fencing will be utilized to restrict access to closed areas in the park. After the River Dyeing, the families with children will have access to the parade and playground areas by walking southbound on the west side of the park.
There will be restricted access to the playground. Children ages 12 and under, will be allowed into the playground at either the east or west entrances only with their parents or guardian.
Chicago Riverwalk Closures
The Chicago Riverwalk will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday, March 15, through the day on Saturday, March 16 until 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 17. The river dyeing can be viewed along the river from Upper Wacker Drive.
Shammrock’n the Block Party, Saturday, March 15
Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church located at 700 W Adams Street in Chicago will be holding their annual St. Patrick’s Day party on Saturday, March 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Old St. Pat’s Campus, 625 W. Adams (Entrance on Des Plaines St. between Adams & Jackson).
Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 15
The Archer Avenue parade steps off at noon at Archer Avenue and South Oak Park and proceeds east from Oak Park to Archer Merrimac. The parade is expected to conclude at 2 p.m.
South Side Irish Parade – Sunday, March 16
The South Side Irish Parade steps off at noon at 103rd and Western Avenue, marching south to 115th and Western Avenue. Parking restrictions in the area begin at 8 a.m. and will remain until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, but anyone parking in the area that day should read signage before parking. Expect parking restrictions on both sides of the street from 103rd to 112th Streets along Western Avenue. The staging area is located on Western Avenue from 99th to 103rd Streets and Bell to Maplewood Avenues. Street closures along the parade route as well as the staging area may begin as early as 7 a.m. The parade is expected to end at 4 p.m., the disbanding area is located on Western Avenue from 115th to 119th Streets. For additional details, visit southsideirishparade.org.
Northwest Side Irish Parade – Sunday, March 16
The parade steps off at noon at Onahan School, at 6634 W. Raven St. proceeding south on Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway and north to Harlem Avenue in the Norwood Park neighborhood. Northwest Highway will be closed to vehicles at 9am. Parking restrictions are in effect along the route beginning at 7 a.m. Both sides of the street on Neola, Raven, Northwest Highway, Normandy Avenue, Imlay, Neva, Palatine and Natoma along the route will be affected. For additional details, visit northwestsideirish.com.
Safety Tips Near Events
- If you see something suspicious, report it
- Carry water and stay hydrated
- Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
- Utilize the buddy system
- Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
- Leave any valuables at home
- Do not jump any barricades
- Secure handbags and wallets
- Stay calm and pleasant
- Follow your own instincts
- Leave yourself room to move quickly
Motorists in the areas where events are happening should be prepared for increased traffic and possible reroutes. Street closures will be in effect for larger events to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on hand at events citywide to direct flow and impacts from traffic. Public transportation is encouraged. For more information on CTA services and reroutes, visit transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000 from any area code/1-888-YOUR- CTA.
As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).