St. Patrick’s Day parades in suburban Chicago, Northwest Indiana

Irish people will be beaming when many towns celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with parades.

Unlike a summer parade, where almost anything goes, St. Patrick’s Day parades have very specific themes. They are often filled with Irish dancers, bagpipers and drummers, in addition to the usual civic groups, marching bands, emergency vehicles and politicians.

Here are some of the St. Patrick’s Day parades in the area. They are free to participate unless stated otherwise. While we do our best to ensure accuracy, it’s always a good idea to browse the website or call if you have additional questions.

Aurora

Daniel D. Dolan St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 17 Mar 44, 11:00 E. Downer Place. 630-256-4636; facebook.com/cityofaurorail and search activities.

Wear your green and celebrate Aurora’s St. Support the opening Patrick’s Day parade. It begins at the corner of Water Street and Downer Place, travels west on Downer and ends at Stolp Avenue. The Irish Flag Raising Ceremony follows the parade in front of the GAR Museum, 20 E. Downer Place.

Chicago

South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 17, 12:00 pm, at 103rd Street and Western Avenue, walking south towards 115th Street and West. southsideirishparade.org/event/2024-southside-irish-parade.

The parade, which has become Ireland’s largest St. Patrick’s Day community-based parade outside Dublin, passes through Chicago’s Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods. A family-friendly event, this event lasts approximately two hours and features Irish dance schools, bagpipers and marching bands, floats, community groups and a celebration of the South Side’s Irish culture and heritage. There is a zero tolerance policy for drunken antics.

Crown Point, Indiana

Night St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Dusk (around 7 p.m.) on March 17 in Crown Point at Square, Joliet and Main streets. 219-662-3290; facebook.com/CityofCrownPointIN.

Crown Point at night St. Patrick’s Day parade returns with bagpipers and community groups celebrating Emerald Isle culture. Parade participants are asked to decorate their entrances with at least 500 lights. Food and retail vendors will be set up on Joliet Street between Court and Main streets from 3 to 9 p.m. The seating and vendor area on the Lake County Courthouse lawn will be Shamrock Lane. Vote for your favorite parade on the city’s website. Winners will be announced at the April city council meeting.

East Dundee

Thom McNamee Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 11 a.m. March 9, Rosie O’Hare’s Public House, 702 Water St. 847-426-2822; dundeestpats.org or facebook.com/ThomMcNameeParade.

The parade moves down Barrington Road to River Street and ends at Bandito Barneys Beach Club, 10 N. River St., East Dundee. There will be bagpipers, dancers, stilt walkers and more, but no politicians.

Parade Your Pet Parade is at 9:30 a.m. at East Dundee’s Downtown Depot, 319 N. River St. Let your four-legged elves strut their stuff for a chance to win prizes and march in the public parade.

Elmhurst

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 9 at 12 a.m. at Wilson Street and Spring Road in Elmhurst. 630-834-0300; elmhurststpatsparade.com.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade travels north from Wilson Street on Spring Road to the St. Patrick’s Day parade in front of the Silverado Grill. It ends at the railroad tracks one block south of Charles Road. The parade features 80 floats, Irish dancers, the Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, mascots Benny the Bull, Southpaw and Tommy Hawk, Chicago Highlanders Pipe and Drum, Medina Clowns, Mary, the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra featuring the World’s Largest Drum, and York High. School Band.

Flossmoor

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 17, 2 p.m., Flossmoor Community Church Community House, 847 Hutchinson Road. 708-798-2300; facebook.com/fcccommunityhouse.

Celebrate the holiday with friends and neighbors at the 17th annual community parade.

Hammond, Indiana

HC3 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 16, 2 p.m., 6725 Kennedy Blvd. facebook.com/hc3hessville.

The parade proceeded north along Kennedy Boulevard and ended at 161st Street. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. The grand marshal and the Chicago Garda Pipes and Drums band will lead the parade.

Lake Villa

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 16, 12 p.m., Palombi Middle School, 133 McKinley Ave. 847-356-6100; facebook.com/VillageOfLakeVilla and search activities.

The parade starts at the middle school, continues down Grand to Cedar Avenue and ends at the Lake Villa train station. The parade is followed by a corned beef lunch at the Lake Villa VFW.

lemon

32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 1 p.m. March 9, 418 Main St. 630-257-1550; facebook.com/villageoflemont.

This family-friendly parade starts on north Stephen Street near the I&M Canal and heads west on Main Street toward Legion Park. Participants include 2024 Queen, Lemontster Archie and Stockyard Kilty Band.

McHenry

ShamRocks Fox Parade: March 16, 12:00. Miller Point Park, 1202 N. Riverside Drive. 815-893-6280; naturallymchenrycounty.com/event/mchenry-shamrocks-the-fox-parade/1682.

The parade lines up on Kane Street near Chauncey H. Duker School, travels along Green Street to Pearl Street, then to Riverside Drive, and ends at Broad Street. The Sham-Rocks the Fox festival is held at Miller Point Park.

Naperville

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 10 a.m. March 9, Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. 630-457-1943; wsirish.org.

More than 3,000 participants and 15,000 spectators attend the annual event presented by West Suburban Irish. The route runs from Main Street to Porter along Aurora Boulevard and ends at Naperville Central High School. There will be bands, bagpipers and drummers, Irish dancers, community groups and Medina Templars.

lowland area

Hometown Ireland Parade: March 17, 1 p.m., Plainfield Central High School, 24120 Fort Beggs Drive. plainfieldirishparade.org or facebook.com/PlainfieldIrishParade.

Organized by the Village Preservation Association, the parade moves through downtown, heading east to Commercial Street, north to Illinois Avenue, west to Lockport Street and south to James Street. The parade features bagpipers, Irish dancers, bands and more. The bike decoration contest is back this year. This year’s grand marshal is Jamie Littell, owner of Moe Joe’s Cajun and Caribbean Cuisine.

St Charles

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 14:00 9th, 6th March and Main streets. 630-443-3967; stcstpatricksparade.com.

The parade proceeded along Main Street and ended at 4th Avenue. The parade features bagpipers, dancers, marching bands, floats and more.

Yorkville

Irish Parade: At 11 a.m. on March 16 at the east end of Hydraulic Boulevard. 630-553-4357; yorkville.il.us/632/St-Patricks-Day-Celebration.

The parade continues toward East Hydraulic, where it ends at Illinois 47. The parade features the Regimental Band as well as community groups and more.

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.