Ah, St. Patrick's Day! March 17th. It’s not the Luck o’ the Irish that is needed to find the kid-friendly revelry that brings joy to the streets of many cities in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. It’s easy to look for a fun and festive way to mark this special day, (or the weeks leading up to this special day).  Why not join your local St. Patrick's Day Activities?  From colorful costumes and Irish music to traditional parades, dancing, crafts, and delicious food, many towns have their own festive programme. Neighborhoods in and around Chicagoland are no exception. Don’t forget, everybody is Irish on St. Paddy’s Day - so share the Irish phrase “Sláinte!”  (Irish for 'Cheers!') and watch the smiles appear on everyone’s face.

Chicago Parades:

March 4th,Elmhurst Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade 

The earliest St Patrick celebrations is this week end. Held on March 4th, Elmhurst Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at the corner of Spring and Wilson Roads. With more than eighty floats, Irish dancers and bands, local sports mascots from the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Blackhawks will be in attendance. The vibe at this event is very kid and family friendly.

March 11th, Palatine village’s parade

Palatine, located in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs, hosts its own parade that is a hit with kids of all ages. Held on March 11th, this village’s parade will showcase Irish song, dance, and bagpipers. The parade kicks off in front of the Community Center on Wood Street and ends at an outdoor party for families at Durty Nellies Irish Pub. Face painters and bands will entertain, while traditional Irish food and drink are served. You are kindly requested to give canned goods as a donation to the local food pantry. This event is wholesome and completely family-friendly.

March 11th Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and River Dyeing

The City of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and River Dyeing occurs on March 11th as well. This, by far, is the region’s largest parade boasting over 200 floats. The Chicago River is turned a vibrant green by leprechauns in speedboats and is a sight to be seen.

Any parade is sure to be a memorable way to celebrate. You will see creative and themed floats, and entertainment is guaranteed! So don your green attire and join in on the festivities—you won't regret it. To accommodate the parade, all routes include ample parking nearby.

Fun Run: 

March 4th, Oak Forest’s 5k Charity Run

The Oak Forest Fleadh (the Irish for 'festival'), held on March 4th, is a 5k charity run for kids and parents and focuses on family, fitness and fun! The scenic route takes kids and parents through historic Oak Forest landmarks and culminates with a gathering to celebrate. Kids are encouraged to participate and look around for a “golden ticket,” redeemable for $1,000 through the Oak Forest Chamber of Commerce. Following the Fleadh, there is a parade stepping off around 11am. This event is very kid-friendly and surely kid-approved! 

Crafts: 

March 5th Dunning Library

On March 5th, there is a Grab and Go Craft Kit Available at the Dunning Branch of the Chicago Public Library. It’s free and while supplies last. On March 9th, there is a Lucky Day Bracelet activity at CPL’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Branch. Kids aged 6-13 can make a beaded bracelet featuring shamrock charms. Check your local library for additional crafting opportunities.

Food:

 March 18 at Maggiano’s

On March 18 at Maggiano’s in Oak Brook, kids are welcome to participate in a St. Patrick’s Day cooking class. Searching for the pot of Rice Krispies?! Come join Chef and the Maggiano's Old Orchard team to learn how to make St. Paddy's Day inspired Rice Krispies Treats with a dash of luck.

Your kids will enjoy expressing themselves creatively through food and then, get to enjoy a delicious Breakfast Buffet with all the classic favorites!

The breakfast buffet includes items such as Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Fruit, Breakfast Potatoes...just to name a few! Feel free to join in on the breakfast as well!

Cost is $25 per kid and ideal for kids ages 5-12. Parents are welcome to sit inside the room during the class and watch. 

Scavenger Hunt: 

March 7-12 and again from March 14-19, Winnetka Park Leprechaun Hunt 

From March 7-12 and again from March 14-19, embark on a Leprechaun Hunt with your wee lads and lassies at the Winnetka Park District sites. Kids find “Lucky” (the stuffed animal leprechaun) after help from Mom and Facebook clues. Kids are encouraged to bring cameras to snap pictures of their finds - the first five kids who share a picture of Lucky each day will earn a $10 gift card to a local business. This kid-friendly activity is always a hit with kids of all ages. 

As St. Patrick's Day has become a more mainstream holiday in the United States, people of all backgrounds enjoy participating in the festivities. Not only does St. Patrick's Day boast a rich history in the United States, communities and descendants from their Irish ancestry reflect the contributions and influence of the Irish-American community today. All the locations and businesses listed can be found on our KidFriendlyVenues app on this website. And there is much more nationwide to see. Take a look at Kid Friendly Venues. There is surely a kid-friendly activity for you and your kids to enjoy during this season!

Dana H