They plan to dye the Chicago River green on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Quick Scoop: 2026 Chicago River Dyeing

  • Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026 (the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17).
  • Time: The dyeing is scheduled to start around 10:00 a.m.
  • Where it happens: A central stretch of the downtown Chicago River, with great views from Upper Wacker Drive between State Street and Columbus Drive , plus bridges in the Loop.
  • How long it stays green: The river typically stays a vivid green for several hours before gradually fading.

What locals and guides are saying

Public event guides and local blogs for 2026 confirm that the annual dyeing returns on March 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. , handled by boats from the Chicago Plumbers Union. Forum discussions from late 2025 also note that it’s “consistently the Saturday preceding March 17th,” which lines up exactly with March 14, 2026.

In other words: if you’re planning a trip, aim to be along the river by about 9:00 a.m. to beat the crowds and catch the boats as they start turning the water bright green.

Key 2026 details at a glance

Detail 2026 Info
Date Saturday, March 14, 2026 (Saturday before St. Patrick's Day)
Start time About 10:00 a.m.
Best viewing spots Upper Wacker Drive between State Street and Columbus Drive; bridges in the downtown Loop area
How early to arrive At least 1–2 hours early for good views
How long it’s green Several hours before fading back toward normal color
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Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.