when do they turn the river green in chicago

They turn the Chicago River green on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day , usually starting around 10:00 a.m. local time, and the color is most vibrant for a few hours afterward.

Key timing details

• The dyeing is scheduled for the Saturday that falls just before March 17 each year as part of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

• Recent events have followed this pattern; for example, in 2025 the river was dyed on Saturday, March 15 as part of the city’s official festivities.

What to expect day-of

• The actual pouring of the environmentally safe dye typically begins around 10 a.m. , with the river section between Columbus Drive and Orleans Street turning bright green shortly after.

• The strongest emerald color usually lasts several hours, though a green tint can linger into the day as crowds walk the Riverwalk and nearby streets.

If you’re planning a trip

• For future years, look up the date of St. Patrick’s Day (always March 17) and plan to be in Chicago the preceding Saturday in the morning to catch the dyeing.

• Local news outlets and city tourism sites publish the exact schedule each year, including best viewing spots along Wacker Drive and other riverfront areas.

TL;DR: Chicago dyes the river green on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, usually starting around 10 a.m., and the best viewing is late morning while the color is at its brightest.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.