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Chicago River To Turn Green at 10 A.M. as St. Patrick’s Tradition Returns

A plumbers union crew applies a secret vegetable-based dye from boats to create the brief emerald effect.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 13: An aerial picture shot with a drone shows the Chicago River as it flows through downtown after it was dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on March 13, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The dyeing of the river, a St. Patrick’s Day tradition in the city, was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was reported to be cancelled this year but the city approved a last-minute early-morning clandestine dyeing to keep the usual spectators at bay. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Spectators take photos as the Chicago River is turned green for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in downtown Chicago, the United States, on March 11, 2023. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES – MARCH 15: A boat pours environmentally friendly dye into the Chicago River, creating a stunning visual effect during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago, United States on March 15, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The dyeing begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and typically takes 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
  • Crews will treat the stretch from just west of Columbus Drive to east of Orleans near Wolf Point; spectator access is barred on most bridges, the Riverwalk is closed through Saturday and reopens at 6 a.m. Sunday, and the Columbus, LaSalle and Orleans bridges remain open for traffic.
  • NBC Chicago will stream the event live starting at 10 a.m. on its site and on Peacock, Roku and Pluto.
  • Members of Plumbers Local 130 apply an orange powder from boats—one spreads dye and a second stirs—producing a neon green that usually lasts only a few hours, with traces sometimes lingering longer.
  • City officials say the Chicago Police Department will deploy an increased presence for crowd management at St. Patrick’s Day events, including the river dyeing.