Whether you’re celebrating with friends or family, here are a few ways to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day weekend around Chicago.
St. Patrick’s Day Whiskey Dinner
March 15
Chicago
Start the weekend with a five-course dinner — each course featuring a “distinct and rare whiskey” — at Chicago q.
St. Paddy’s Pancakes at Cupitol
March 15-17
Chicago and Evanston
Fuel up for the weekend at Cupitol with limited edition St. Paddy’s Pancakes (matcha pancakes with white chocolate chips).
Dyeing of the Chicago River
March 16
Chicago
Don’t miss this St. Patrick’s Day tradition, as well as a parade along Columbus Drive between Balbo Drive and Monroe Drive.
Dive for Gold
March 16
Northbrook
Kids can hunt for “leprechaun gold” in the North Suburban YMCA indoor pool, which will be tinted green, and then exchange their gold for goody bags.
St. Patrick’s Festival
March 16-17
Chicago
The Irish American Heritage Center hosts this festival of music, food, kids activities, vendors, Irish language lessons, a book sale, and more.
St. Patrick’s Day at Gallagher Way
March 17
Chicago
Celebrate outside Wrigley Field with Irish dance lessons, live music, lawn games, face painting, and more.
More Can’t-Miss Events:
- Love U2? Rock out with tribute band U2 Hype at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest on March 16.
- The Evanston Symphony Orchestra presents “The Virtuoso Trumpet” on March 17 with soloist Tage Larsen.
Make a Difference:
- Counseling Center of the North Shore, a mental health and wellness center in Winnetka, hosts its 125th Anniversary Gala on March 15 at Chicago Botanic Garden. Enjoy drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, access to the Orchid Show, and live music.
- During Orphans of the Storm‘s “Irish I Had a Home” event March 16-18, adoption fees will be waived for dogs and cats six months old or older (costs for final shots still apply). Please visit the shelter’s Facebook page for complete information.
- Save the date: On March 20, National Macaron Day, Vanille Patisserie will donate 10 percent of all sales, both in-store and online, to Special Olympics Chicago.
Anna Carlson writes the weekly Weekend 101 column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine, and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
