St. Patrick’s Day, held on 17th March, is one of the most popular religious festivals celebrated in the United States. The occasion marks the death anniversary of the foremost patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick.

While several American cities host terrific festivities on the day, Chicago celebrates the festival with greater zeal and enthusiasm. Read on to know more about this international festival and how it is celebrated in the “Windy City”!

About the Festival

St. Patrick’s Day is held on 17th of March every year. Also known as ‘Day of the Festival of the Patrick’, the festival is celebrated by millions all over the world, however, understandably, it is more popular among the Irish. Along with the United Kingdom, countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina celebrate the day in a grand manner.

‘Green Celebrations’

‘Green’ is the colour of the festival. As part of the celebrations, one can find a wave of green across different cities. As a customary tradition, people wear shamrocks or green clothes and other accessories signifying a belief in the fact that St. Patrick used shamrock (a three leaved plant) to explain the Holy Trinity. A popular myth about wearing green is the fact that it makes you invisible and hence the leprechauns can’t pinch you!

Festival Traditions in Chicago

Dying the River Green

Dying the Chicago River green is one popular tradition of the festival. Every year, 45 pounds of eco-friendly dye is poured into the river. The river dying tradition dates back to 1962 when the city workers used the dye to trace illegal sewage discharges. Remember, the change in colour lasts only for 5 hours, so you got to hurry up to enjoy this incredible view! Best viewing spots in the city include the east side of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the west side of the Columbus Drive Bridge and along the Chicago Riverwalk.

Downtown Parade

Packed with Irish elements, St. Patrick’s Day parade is a fabulous event to look forward to. Downtown Chicago’s official St. Patrick’s Day parade begins at noon at the intersecting point of Columbus and Balbo drives and continues north to Columbus. The main viewing stand is placed in front of the Buckingham Fountain, where dancers and bands halt to wave at the crowd. A number of restaurants and bars dot the path of the parade; you can celebrate the day by having scrumptious meals and drinks. The festivities do not end after the parade, there’s lot more interesting things taking place in different parts of the city.

Drinking Green Beer

Not by tradition but by practice, drinking green beer is a popular element of the festival. Bars and lounges across the city offer a wide variety of drinks and dishes in the honour of the occasion. The celebrations and offers start early in the morning and continue till late night.

Popular Attractions

The festivities and celebrations can also be enjoyed at some of the city’s most popular attractions including Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Centre, Daley Plaza, Millennium Park, and Buckingham Fountain.

Staying at luxury hotels and dining in expensive restaurants is not the only way to enjoy your trip. As they say, ‘the best things in life are free’ and soaking in the beauty and culture of a new destination can also include free attractions.

Chicago too offers plenty of interesting attractions to tourists and locals alike for which you don’t have to shell out a dime. Our list below will give you some ways to have fun in the ‘Windy City’ free of cost.

The Highest Church in the World

Visit the First United Methodist Church located at the Chicago Temple Building in Chicago. The church, also known as ‘the Chapel in the Sky’, is located at the base and the topmost floors of a 568 ft high skyscraper.

Lincoln Park Zoo

A visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo will be a rewarding experience for travellers. The zoo is home to over 1,200 animals and can be visited for free. Explore its Kovler Lion House or visit the Regenstein Center to spot African apes.

Harold Washington Library Center

A paradise for book worms, the Harold Washington Library, is one of the world’s largest public libraries. One need not buy a ticket to enter this huge library, which houses more than 13 million published works. Travellers can also enjoy exploring the other attractions at the centre such as architecture, the Winter Garden on the 9th floor, or the art collection of more than 50 national and international artists.

Millennium Park

A number of free events are held at the Millennium Park such as concerts, festivals, and art shows. Marvel at its collection of iconic structures, including the Cloud Gate, or the Bean and the Crown Fountain.

Chicago Riverwalk

Chicago’s new Riverwalk is a blessing for those seeking free or affordable fun. All along the Riverwalk, there are great options to eat and drink and have lots of fun. Enjoy the views of a bridge, which lifts from within a bridge house. Also explore the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum and marvel at the famous architecture installed all along the Chicago River.

Chicago Botanic Garden

This fantastic getaway for nature lovers lets you discover the gems of Chicago Botanic Garden for free as you stroll through the garden. Explore its small islands of water plants and 24 stunning landscapes, which include the Japanese Garden and the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden.

Parks & Beaches

We saved the best one for the last! Chicago has plenty of beautiful public parks and lively beaches that are accessible free of cost. Play in lagoons at Humboldt Park, visit the Cricket Hill of Lincoln Park, fish in the ponds of Washington Park, or stroll amidst the relaxing environs of the Japanese-styled Osaka Garden of the Jackson Park. Beach bums can flock to the fantastic beaches along the coast of Lake Michigan.

Chicago has always attracted tourists with its countless events, festivals, fairs and outdoor activities. True to its vibrant character, the city will host a bunch of exciting festivals in June this year.

If you are planning to visit Chicago anytime next month, you are bound to have lots of fun and enjoyment. For your convenience, we have listed some events and festivals below.

Old Town Art Fair

The Old Town Art Fair is a yearly celebration of art that seeks to encourage creative exchange between artists, art admirers and prospective art buyers. One may buy ceramics, digital art, paintings, photography, metal and stone works, textiles, fibres, jewellery and more. This community driven event is backed by over 750 volunteers almost every year.

Held on: 11th June to 12th June

Pivot Arts Festival

Formed in 2012 as a central hub that could connect innovative art activities of Chicago’s northern neighbourhoods, Pivot Arts is a must-visit festival that offers art, music, theatre and dance. Over the years, many artists, businesses and organisations have supported the par-excellent performances that are held here.

Held on: 2nd June to 12th June

Wells Street Art Festival

Celebrated in the popular Wells Street corridor of Old Town, Wells Street Art Festival is a prominent event where over 200 juried artists from across the continent come and display their skills. There are traditional paintings, sculptures, woodwork and digital arts on display for the enthusiasts. Beyond this, there is a performance stage, children’s play area, and food & drink venues too.

Held on: 11th June to 12th June

Remix Chicago

Remix Chicago is an art event, which signifies public awareness of recycling and the value of recycled art. Attendees can easily browse through and buy the items displayed here. The two-day event features workshops and education for people of all age-groups. Also, there’ll be great food and music.

Held on: 11th June to 12th June

Custer Fair

An Evanston tradition since 1972, Custer Fair is a major event where more than 300 local and regional artists, craftspeople, and commercial vendors come together to sell paintings, ceramics, pottery, photographs, graphic arts, wearable art, country and home craft, antiques and collectibles. The event will also give you a lovely chance to socialise with the locals.

Held on: 18th June to 19th June

Venue: 18th Street, Allport, Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood
Date: 11th June and 12th June.
Time: 11am to 10pm.

Foodies visiting Chicago in June will be happy to know that as many as 25 food trucks will congregate in the heart of Chicago from 11th June to 12th June. These trucks will offer you the chance to savour the very best of street food delicacies.

Various events and cultural activities which mark the food fest have infused a ‘social ‘element to this otherwise food event. A $20 ticket will allow one to try out drink and food from any of the five food trucks or restaurants. Individual purchases can also be made by paying extra.

Family fun

The ‘food truck social’ will also showcase the neighbourhood’s local craftsmanship and its various retailers. The historic Thalia Hall established in the year 1892 will enthral the audience with performances by live bands, electrifying music and loads of fun. The event has also earned the reputation of being a family extravaganza with various kid’s activities like dart games and art and craft. The EleVarte Community Studio and Yollocalli Art Reach in Pilsen offers exciting creative activities for kids as well as adults. Face painting is another activity that draws attention. Visitors will also have the pleasure of experiencing the local culture and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood.

Trucks to Look Forward to

Just some of the trucks that serve mouth watering delicacies are 5411 Empanadas, Bridgeport Pastry, Caponies Express, Chicago Pizza Boss, Husky Hog BBQ, Da Lobsta. Furthermore, Azul18 and Dia De Los Tamales are a couple of restaurant vendors that serve finger licking meals.

Food and Drinks

Pilson Punch House’s famous margarita punch and Revolution beer are quite sought after. Several cocktails and sponsored wines are also a part of the beverages on offer. Lobster rolls, jerk chicken, and pierogi served by the trucks are among the local favorites.

Other info

The food fest provides facilities such as comfortable seating area, wheel chair entrance for the handicapped and easily accessible washrooms. Check out the official website and keep yourself updated for ticketed shows and other events at Thalia Hall. Similarly, the official website of Chicago’s public transportation will address your queries regarding transportation.

St Patrick’s Day is one of the most important times of the year in the US, when both the Irish and the non-Irish, celebrate culture and Irish heritage. Largely, the youth celebrate the occasion wearing shamrock coloured clothes, while sipping green beer. If you want to enjoy the festival, have a look at the three best US cities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is one of the best cities in the US to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. The “Second City” has been attracting about 350,000 people from all across the globe to participate in the grand-scale celebration.

If you want to celebrate with them, all you need to do is book tickets well in advance to save yourself from last-minute hassles. The people of Chicago have a unique way of celebrating the festival; they follow a ritual of dyeing the Chicago River, green. This tradition started in the 1960s. People largely gather around Division Street where most of the events take place. We also recommend that you stop at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Pub in the North Centre neighbourhood.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is not very far behind when it comes to celebrating St Patrick’s Day. Celebrated for their long Irish ancestry, the Bostonians start their parties about 7 days before St. Patrick’s Day.

Around 850,000 revellers gather to witness the events and other festivities like the parade, a variety of Irish band concerts, and the Gaelic Gourmet Gala to name a few.

New York City, New York

The New York City is one of the places where the parade and the celebrations date back to 1762. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most cherished times.

The city shows gratitude and honours the Irish culture and heritage with a stately parade by marching bands and traditional musicians. The celebrations commence on the 17th of March and revellers celebrate in bars, pubs, and even on the roads.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is a major aviation hub and is considered one of the world’s busiest airports. Almost every prominent airline has flights to Chicago, allowing easy connectivity to several millions of passengers booking air tickets to and from the city, every year.  On its part, the O’Hare International Airport is well maintained, offering a wide array of services and facilities for travellers who make use of it. Get a fleeting overview of the kind of amenities available for fliers, who arrive at or depart from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Shopping: The airport has an incredibly large number of shops and stores for people who wish to make a purchase. It is not just the usual bookstores and newsstands the airport’s terminal boasts of! Almost everything is on offer at shops at the airport. Swatch, the Field Museum Store, Emporio Armani, Harley-Davidson, Salvatore Ferragamo and Oakley are some of the well-known brand stores that maintain presence at the Chicago airport. And if you feel lucky, you can even try out the Illinois lottery!

Food & Beverages: There is a general opinion that food served in flights is not really something you would like to call “delicious”. However, when you get to Chicago airport, this opinion is usually turned on its head! Indeed, this American airport has a large number of options for foodies who wish to taste something delectable. While household names like Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Johnny Rockets, Starbucks Coffee and Subway can easily be found at the airport, even at more locations than one, there are several other independent eateries that are remarkably good.  Several bars can also be located at the terminals.

Lounges: O’Hare International Airport is a massive property with multiple terminals. A number of airlines here offer lounges for travellers who are booking tickets on flights operated by them.

USA airlines like Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines all maintain their lounges at the Chicano airport. Also, international carriers like Air France, British Airways and Korean Air have their lounges at Terminal 5 of the airport. Of course, different airlines have different criteria for allowing accessibility to these lounges.

Returning from Chicago without immersing into the splendour of Navy Pier is quite impossible. Why? The moment you reach at this popular landmark, a refreshing breeze from Lake Michigan will caress your face and kaleidoscopic charms of Chicago will introduce to an ever-enticing facet of the USA. Whether you are an adult, a kid or a senior citizen, availability of diverse range of activities and attractions would have something to suit your taste and interest. Most popular spotlights of this former shipping facility include parks, concert venues, gardens and restaurants. Here’s a list of attractions that rank high in the lists of travellers disembarking flights at Chicago.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel

Besides being one of the most recognized attractions in Chicago, this is also among the most notable Ferris wheels in the USA. It is open throughout the year and its tickets are available online as well as at the Pier Park’s ticket booth. Faint-hearted travellers can consider avoiding this 150-foot high gigantic Ferris wheel. Sit in it and admire the 360 degrees panoramic views of the captivating surroundings.

Chicago Children’s Museum

Boarding flights to Chicago with your kids? Make it a memorable as well as an educational holiday for them at Chicago Children’s Museum. Here, kids can be a part of various activities that allow them to understand and learn a variety of things while having fun. Buy tickets for this museum and give them an opportunity to invent a flying machine, climb on a ship and make a building. The facility also hosts numerous special events. Go through the official portal to check for an event that tickles your fancy.

Dining Cruises

Visitors also consider adding a sightseeing tour on cruises to their itineraries. Buy tickets and board boats docked at the Dock Street to excurse the aqua-blue waters of the lake and admire the scintillating skyline of Chicago. These cruises also offer scrumptious dinner. Couples keep these rides on their lists to enjoy a romantic meal while admiring the fascinating scenery of spectacular sunset.