Happy St. Patrick’s Day! If you didn’t know, one of the most iconic St. Patrick’s Day traditions in the U.S. happens in Chicago, where the city’s famous river turns a brilliant shade of green. This incredible transformation has become a must-see event for both locals and tourists. Check out the video below to see it in action:
How It’s Done
Each year, a team from the Chicago Plumbers Union uses a secret, eco-friendly vegetable dye to color the river. Around 45 pounds of dye are needed to cover the entire river, which stretches over five miles. The dye is released from boats, and within an hour, the river turns a vivid green, visible from bridges and nearby buildings. Embedded below is a video to give you that vantage point.
The river is officially green.
This is your sign to crack open that green beer.
— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) March 15, 2025
The Origins of the Green River
The tradition started in 1962 when the Chicago Plumbers Union, looking for a unique way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, used 100 pounds of vegetable dye to turn the river green. The idea came from a plumber who realized that the dye used to detect leaks in pipes could be used to color the river. What began as a fun experiment quickly became an annual tradition that has only grown in popularity.
Now, dyeing the river has turned into a huge spectacle, drawing thousands of visitors to the city each March. The event usually takes place on the Saturday morning before St. Patrick’s Day, though the exact timing can vary. From what I hear, the dyeing typically happens around 9:00 AM, so if you’re planning to go, get there early to claim a good spot. Some great viewing locations include the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the Columbus Drive Bridge, and along the Chicago Riverwalk.
I’ve been to Chicago dozens of times, but never for St. Patrick’s Day. I hope that changes soon, especially after my eight-year-old son watched this video and asked, “Can we go next year?” I said, “We’ll see…” and then he hit me with an Irish proverb: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Point taken.
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