THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – CELEBRATING ALL THINGS IRISH!

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the City has canceled the Dyeing of the Chicago River and the following parades: St. Patrick’s Day Parade in The Loop, the South Side Irish Parade, and the Northwest Side Irish Parade.

Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday this year, Chicago will be celebrating all things Irish this last winter weekend of the season! The following events are still on; however, check their websites before heading out in case they’re canceled.

Returning for its 19th year of green fun, the St. Paddy’s 5K & 8K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday (9:30 a.m.) at Cannon Drive and Fullerton Parkway (2410 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Participants are encouraged to don green attire or wear a costume to celebrate the Emerald Isle as awards will be given for the best dressed. They will also receive a long-sleeve tech shirt and a finisher medal (new in 2020)! There’s even a post-run party at Compass Bar located one block from the race site at 433 W. Diversey Pkwy. Why not kick off the spring running season at the Windy City’s oldest St. Patrick’s Day sprint!!

The 8th annual ShamROCK 2020 takes over the entire venue at the House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn St.) on the Near North Side on Saturday (doors open 8 a.m.). This event will feature Irish food specials, plenty of green beer, live entertainment, and giveaways all day long! The Music Hall Lineup includes Wedding Banned, UltraBeat, Hello Weekend, and DJs all day, while the Restaurant Lineup includes New Element, Great Whiskey Project, and the Celtniks. This is going to be one heck of a celebration with pints, music and plenty of partying!!

Celebrate all things Irish at the annual St. Patrick’s Fest on Saturday (1 p.m.-12 a.m.) at the Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox Ave.) in the Irving Park neighborhood. Enjoy plenty of traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drink for purchase, kids’ activities, and an arts & crafts fair selling Irish gifts! Highlights include Tim O’Shea and Friends (direct from Ireland), Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, The Chancey Brothers, Irish Heritage Singers, Trinity Irish Dancers, and others. Or, visit the library, art gallery, and museum for programming and exhibits. This is one of Chicago’s largest St. Patrick’s Day events!!

For those of you looking for a crawl, check out one, or all, of these taking place on Saturday:

Shamrock Crawl (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) at Wrigleyville’s best bars. Ticket includes admission to all the participating bars, a free t-shirt, a breakfast buffet, gift card to use on the crawl, drink specials, giveaways, and more! 

Be sure to come all decked out in your finest green!!

St. Paddy’s Day Bar Crawl (6 p.m.-10 p.m.) at Wrigleyville’s hottest bars and pubs. Ticket includes complimentary cover at all venues, 4 drink tickets to use on the crawl, drink specials, green beer, DJs, St. Paddy’s themed venues, swag, giveaways, and more! Come dance with leprechauns and celebrate the Irish spirit!!

Lucky Charms Bar Crawl (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) at Lincoln Park’s best bars. Ticket includes entry up to 8+ venues (“no cover”), drink specials, DJs at all venues, a Lucky Charms t-shirt (while supplies last), beads, party swag, gift cards, giveaways, and more! There’s even a Lucky Charms treasure hunt (look for Lucky Charms boxes along the crawl for giveaways and cash). So, follow the rainbow – you may get lucky!!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago