Every year, city dwellers group around the Chicago River to celebrate a beloved annual tradition: the Chicago River dyeing event that kicks off St. Patrick's Day's celebrations.
The visually striking happening draws thousands of spectators each year, who gather to watch the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 pour and spread 40 pounds of vegetable-based dye into the river—from Columbus Drive to Orleans Street—until it’s a bright shade of green.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade follows, turning the weekend into one of the most joyous of the year.
Although, at this point, all festivities have concluded, you can still relive some of that fun on social media, scrolling through photos from the Chicago River dyeing event right below.
Until next year!
Happy #StPatricksDay #ChicagoRiver 🍀🍀🍀💚💚 pic.twitter.com/Emn5A9Ayw4
— 🎼YUKI Sun孫 👩🏻💻👩🏻🎨❦紗雪❦ INFJ-A😈 (@Sayuki08) March 15, 2025
Dying the Chicago River green! No other city does St. Patrick’s Day like Chicago! #Chicago #StPatricksDay #ChicagoRiver pic.twitter.com/tie2bVuPYQ
— Amy Schubert (@Schubertamy) March 15, 2025
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Check out the Chicago River on St. Paddy's Day. Fun fact: the tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green began in 1962 when city workers used a special dye to trace pollution sources. pic.twitter.com/ywBeiaWnnj
— Tom Rishovd (@TomRishovdMS) March 17, 2025
6️⃣ Chicago: A Green River Tradition 🌊☘️
— Fr Joseph Hudson (@acloudofsaints) March 17, 2025
In 1962, Chicago began dyeing its river green, originally an accident when plumbers used dye to detect leaks.
Now, 40 lbs of eco-friendly dye keep the river glowing green for hours every March 17. pic.twitter.com/tDT76nU73U
I now have seen Chicago dye its river green in person. That was neat. pic.twitter.com/odhMWuaE4G
— The Data Wizard (@thedatawizardtv) March 15, 2025
they dyed the chicago river neo pearl champagne for 127 💚pic.twitter.com/UeT4HrrtpI
— jyani omega 🐰💚🐱 (@like_a_stickahh) March 15, 2025