St. Patrick’s Day is a Christian holiday named after Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints. It is celebrated every year on March 17, the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death. The holiday is deeply associated with the color green for two reasons: First, green represents Catholics in Ireland; second, the three-leaf clover, which symbolizes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is also green.
Although St. Patrick’s Day has Irish origins, it is celebrated mostly in the United States. New York City hosted the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration ever recorded. However, when it comes to making headlines every year with its unique festivities, Chicago steals the show.
Dyeing the Chicago River Green: A 63-Year-Old Tradition
St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Chicago since 1858, and since 1962, the city has been dyeing a part of the Chicago River green to celebrate. This tradition began when local plumbers used a green dye to detect illegal waste discharges in the river. Inspired by this, they decided to turn it into an annual event for St. Patrick’s Day. Today, the process is done with an environmentally friendly dye that is safe for the river.
The dye is dumped into the river using special boats, and within minutes, the water turns to a beautiful shade of green. The river maintains its color throughout the celebrations, enhancing the holiday atmosphere and creating a beautiful view.
The Green Festival
Beyond the dyeing of the river, Chicago hosts a grand parade and numerous festivities throughout the city. Iconic landmarks like Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, and Buckingham Fountain are illuminated with green lights. People who take part in the celebrations wear green outfits and three-leaf clover-themed accessories.
This unique tradition has made Chicago one of the most iconic cities in the world for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. If you ever find yourself in Chicago in March, don’t miss the chance to witness this mesmerizing sight! 🍀
References:
- O’Hara, K. (2025, February 10). 9 Biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the USA (2025). The Irish Road Trip.
- Admin_Irlanda. (2021, July 5). 17 Mart St. Patrick’s Day. Eğitim İrlanda.
- Wikipedia contributors. (2003a, January 17). Saint Patrick’s Day. Wikipedia.
Visuals:
- Photo by Benjamin R. on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@dapperprofessional?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash
