The green Chicago River winding between downtown buildings, from the parade archives

The 72nd annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Chicago. In green.

The annual river dyeing.
The downtown parade. A Chicago tradition.

Time until parade dayChicago timeMarch 13, 2027 · 12:01 AM CST

Save the dateSaturday, March 132027 · Chicago, Illinois

Annual river dyeingTBDAlong Wacker Drive Parade Start TimeTBDDowntown Chicago

The 2027 parade - honoring our special guests

2027 Grand Marshal

Rev. L. Scott Donahue

Rev. L. Scott Donahue is President & CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, a therapeutic home for young people who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, and emotional trauma. Rev. Donahue has been caring for the children at Mercy Home since joining its Board of Regents in 1990, later serving as assistant to its president. In 2006, after ten years of service as Mercy Home's associate president, he was appointed the Home’s eighth president since it opened its doors in 1887.

2027 Guest of Honor

Devon Bruce

Devon C. Bruce is a Chicago attorney, civic leader, and advocate for Irish-American friendship. As President of the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago during its 125th anniversary year, he helps carry forward its tradition of fellowship and charitable service.

2027 Parade Theme

Heritage, Home & Hope

01 / Parade dayRiver & streets

First, the river. Then, the parade.

Start along the Chicago River. Then join the floats, marching bands, and parade groups celebrating Chicago’s Irish heritage.

Green water winding between buildings along the Chicago River

The river turns green.

Plumbers Local 130 carries forward Chicago’s river-dyeing tradition. Each year, the green river marks the start of parade day along Wacker Drive.

River photographs

A pipe band marching through downtown Chicago in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The streets come alive.

Parade floats, marching bands, and community groups come together in downtown Chicago for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Be part of the parade

02 / The people

Plumbers Local 130 volunteers

A tradition
carried by Plumbers Local 130 for the City of Chicago.

Plumbers Local 130 volunteers and the Parade Committee give their time each year to organize the parade, support its participants, and carry on Chicago’s Irish traditions.

See the people behind the day