In Chicago, St. Patrick’s Day is the day that everyone is Irish. From the dyeing of the Chicago River to the South Side Irish Parade, traditions are long-standing in the city and its surrounding suburbs. It's these fun events all across the Chicagoland area that consistently rank the city as one of the best places to celebrate the holiday. 

While you're bound to see green revelers anywhere you go in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day, here are the neighborhoods that celebrate it best. 

The Loop

Chicago St. Patrick's Day photo by Shutterstock

Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, the Chicago River will get dyed green in an annual tradition that's been going on since 1962. While the river stays green for a couple of days, it’s best viewed in action from the east side of Michigan Avenue, the west side of Columbus Drive, or on Wacker Drive. Then, the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at noon at the intersection of Balbo and Columbus. 

If you want to keep the St. Patrick's Day celebrations going after the river returns to its normal hue, the Loop also is host to the Shamrock Shuffle on March 24. The event in Grant Park includes an 8K run and 2-mile walk, followed by a post-race party with live music and beer. 

Beverly

The South Side Irish Parade is another beloved St. Patrick's Day tradition. Happening on Sunday, March 17, at noon, the parade starts at W. 103rd Street and S. Western Avenue and proceeds south down Western to 115th Street. This parade—which includes floats, bagpipes, and marching bands—has been a Chicago tradition since 1979. 

Mayfair

Irish American Heritage Center | 

This North Side neighborhood is home to the Irish American Heritage Center, which hosts a St. Patrick's Day festival on Saturday, March 16, from 1 p.m. to midnight. If you're looking for a little more than just green beer—and maybe something more family-friendly—this is the place to be. The center hosts an arts and craft fair with Irish gifts, performances by Irish musicians and dancers, children's activities, and Irish food and drink. There's also programming happening at the center's art gallery, library, and museum if you want to learn more about Irish history and language. 

Lincoln Park

Photo courtesy of Leprechaun Leap

If you need to sweat a bit before drinking your weight in green beer, the Leprechaun Leap in Lincoln Park is the place to do it. The 5k and 8k race is in its 18th year. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. in the neighborhood's eponymous park. Proceeds for the race go toward the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

Wrigleyville

If you want the full St. Patrick's Day party experience with ample green beer and early-morning shenanigans, the annual Shamrock Crawl in Wrigleyville delivers. Tickets, which are $45-50, include a T-shirt, a breakfast buffet, a giftcard to use on the crawl—which includes at least 19 bars with drink specials at each—and more. And with an end time of 2 p.m. (it starts at 8 a.m.), you can get home early enough to start recovering from the inevitable hangover.