St. Patrick's Day Parades in Illinois

St. Patrick was a Catholic Saint who lived in Ireland in the 1300's. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day was commemorated as a solemn religious ceremony for many years. The St. Patrick's Day Parade was born in the United States as a show of political power for the Unions. Today, the religious and political origins of St. Patrick's Day are not very obvious. St. Paddy's Day is filled with frivolity, parties and lots of green beer.

St. Pat's Day Parades, large and small, can be found in Chicago and around the State of Illinois. The two parades held in Chicago are among the largest in the nation, St. Pat's is a day filled with marching bands, music, pub crawls, corned beef and cabbage, green beer and Irish Whiskey.

St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, which falls on a Monday this year. Most of the parades are held on the Saturday before the actual holiday, although some are held a week or two earlier. Following are some of the St. Pat's Parades being held in Illinois this year.

St. Pat's South Side Irish, St. Cajetan Church, 3400 W. 111th Street, Chicago, Saturday, March 8
The South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade is an annual celebration of faith and heritage.This parade and street party draws a crowd of 325,000.

St. Pat's Day Parade, City of Chicago, March, 15
A full day of events include dyeing the Chicago River Emerald Green, a parade through the city and music at Navy Pier. The Chicago River is transformed at 10:45 am.

Springfield St. Patrick's Day Parade, Springfield, IL, March 15
Parade in the State Capitol starts at noon in downtown Springfield. Over 1,200 student musicians will participate in the parade.
At least ten competing high school bands and four non-competing grammar school bands are expected to march. The parade will be filled with banks, float and other great entries. Free helium balloons will be handed out to children on the parade route.

The Grand Parade, Rock Island to Davenport, Iowa, March 15, 11:30 am
The Quad Cities Grand Parade starts in Rock Island and marches across the Mississippi River through Davenport. Mass is celebrated at St. Mary's Church in Rock Island at 10:00 am, prior to the parade. The Grand Parade is the only interstate parade in the United States.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Forest Park, Illinois, March 1, 1:00 pm
several bagpipe bands, area police, fire vehicles, antique car, floats, antique cares, Armed forces and more.

St. Patrick's Day Parade,. Downtown St. Charles, March 8, 2:00 pm
The St. Charles parade boasts Leprechaun stilt walkers, and Irish Queen, the Queen's Court, bands and Irish Shenanigans. The festive parade is sponsored by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Lake Villa, IL, Saturday, March 15, Noon
Far North Lake County parade with small town feel.

Elmhurst 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15, Noon

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown Naperville, Saturday, March 15, 10:00 AM
West Suburban Irish, Inc. sponsors the Naperville parade, featuring marching bands and music on Saturday morning.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Galena, March 17, 5:30 pm

39th Annual Parade, St. Louis, Missouri, March 15
The St. Pat's Parade in downtown St. Louis attracts over 250,000 spectators to view over 120 units. The parade features marching bands, floats, huge cartoon-character balloons and clowns. Refreshments will be sold along the route. The Irish Village will open at 8:30 am in Kiener Plaza. The Irish themed village fill features Irish specialties and refreshments from St. Louis restaurants. The Irish Village will be open before, during an after the Parade. Kiener Plaza is located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, with a view of the Old Court House and the famous Gateway Arch.

Information is subject to change.

Enjoy St. Patrick's Day in Good Health.

Read about the Top St. Pat's Parades in the United States.
Read about St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, Illinois.
Read about St. Paddy's Day in the Twin Cities and Around Minnesota.