They’re scheduled to dye the Chicago River green on Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, and it typically starts around 9–10 a.m. local time.

Quick Scoop: Key Details

  • Date for 2026: Saturday, March 14, 2026 (the Saturday before March 17).
  • Usual timing: The dyeing begins around 9:00 a.m. and takes place the morning of the main St. Patrick’s Day parade.
  • Location: Central downtown stretch of the river (around Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, between Columbus and Orleans), where crowds line the riverfront and Upper Wacker Drive.
  • How long it stays green: It’s a bright green for several hours, with a noticeable tint that can linger into the rest of the day and sometimes into the next day.

What this means if you’re planning a trip

  1. Aim to be in position by 8:30 a.m. if you want a prime viewing spot, as it gets very crowded along the riverfront.
  1. Expect major crowds and street closures; local advice is to use public transit instead of driving.
  1. If you want a more comfortable view, hotels and river cruises (like events at Trump International Hotel & Tower overlooking the river dyeing) sell special viewing packages for that morning.

In short: for “when do they dye the river green in Chicago 2026,” you’ll want to be downtown by early morning on Saturday, March 14, 2026, to catch the river turning emerald right before your eyes.

TL;DR: Chicago will dye the river green on Saturday, March 14, 2026, starting around 9 a.m., along the central downtown riverfront; arrive early and use public transit.

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