This year Chicago will once again celebrate Saint Patrick's Day according to one of the city's most iconic traditions: the Chicago River dyeing in 2025.
According to the Choose Chicago portal, the Chicago River dyeing in 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, March 15. The event, initiated by the Chicago Plumber's Union, starts at 10 a.m. with boats dispersing dye into the river until the water turns a bright emerald green color.
The environmentally friendly dye can often be seen a few days after the event and throughout Saint Patrick's Day.
Where to watch the Chicago River dyeing in 2025
If you want to see the color change with your own eyes, you should come to State and Columbus streets at 10 a.m. Although the lower part of the riverbank will be closed, spectators can watch the process from Upper Wacker Drive or from one of the many bridges in the city.
NBC 5 also plans to broadcast the event live.
How did this tradition start?
Legend has it that in 1961, a man named Steven Bailey—a union business manager—was approached by one of his plumbers dressed in a white jumpsuit, - according to Local 130. It was then, as the union states, that Bailey noticed the jumpsuit was stained or painted in the perfect shade of green, or Irish green, to describe it better.
Surprised how the jumpsuits could get such a shade, Bailey and his plumbers found out that it was caused by dye used to detect leaks in the river, the story continues.
"Then Mr. Bailey exclaimed," the union states, "call the mayor... we'll dye the Chicago River green! "
And so it happened.
Who and how dyes the river green?
Every year on Saint Patrick's Day, members of the plumbers' union board boats that navigate the Chicago River with a rather interesting mixture sprayed from thick pipes and Jockey pumps.
However, this mysterious mixture does not contain green color.
"If you saw this phenomenon for the first time, you would think it was a mistake or an unsuccessful joke," the union message continues. "The dye is orange, and its initial color on the surface of the river is also orange, and you would think only a wizard could do something like that."
However, as soon as the dye begins to act, the color, to everyone's surprise, changes to green, and the true color magically appears, - the union explains.
According to Local 130, other cities have tried to do similar experiments but have not succeeded. The union believes that, besides this, and the magical color transformation, the plumbers may have received some extra assistance.
"We believe that it is here that the legendary Leprechaun appears," - say Local 130.
"As the late Steven Bailey used to say, the road from Chicago to Ireland is marked in green," the post states. "From the Chicago River to the Illinois River, then to the Mississippi, north along the Gulf Stream, and across the Atlantic, you can see how the beautiful green color enters the Irish Sea, clearly marking the route from Chicago to Ireland."
What is in the dye? We will never find out.
The plumbers' union Choose Chicago claims that the honorary right to dye the river still belongs to them. But you won't be able to find their dye recipe anywhere.
"Their environmentally friendly dye formula remains a big secret," said in Choose Chicago.
Other events for Saint Patrick's Day in Chicago 2025
Archer Ave. St. Patrick's Day Parade
On Saturday, March 15, a parade for Saint Patrick's Day is also scheduled on Archer Avenue, which is a celebration for working families of Chicago. Parade participants can line up along Archer Avenue as the parade moves from Oak Park to Narragansett. After the river dyeing, the celebration continues with the 70th annual Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Parade. As in previous years, the parade will most likely start at the intersection of Balbo and Columbus Drive and continue north to Monroe Street. The start time has not been announced.
Irish Parade on the Northwest Side
The Irish Parade, honoring faith, family values, and heritage on the Northwest Side, has been held for 22 consecutive years. This year, it will start at noon on Sunday, March 16. About 50,000 people are expected to gather in the area to participate in this traditional event. The parade will begin near Onahan School, 6633 W. Raven.
