Why St. Patrick's Day in Chicago Is Basically the Best

Irish? More like Chi-rish! With a huge Irish population and a legacy of wild holiday festivities, Chicago is known to be one of the best places to visit to get in the St. Patrick's Day spirit. Year after year, celebrations bring out big crowds, parades, and plenty of shamrock-covered costumes — plus, the Chicago River gets dyed green, a tradition that dates back to 1962. How, exactly, does the dye job work? Four workers in one boat dump dye into the river, and four workers in another boat help to spread the color around. About an hour and a half later, the Chicago River is a bright green, staying that way for six to 10 hours. To get in the spirit ahead of the holiday, channel the luck of the Irish with a look at why Chicago may just be the best place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Starting very early in the morning, the streets are packed.

Irish flags are everywhere.
Getty | Tasos Katopodis

Irish flags are everywhere.

So are shamrock accessories.
Getty | Brian Kersey

So are shamrock accessories.

And giant bottles of Jameson.
Twitter | CameronOdell

And giant bottles of Jameson.

Chicagoans are divided into South Side Irish and Everyone Else.
Getty | Brian Kersey

Chicagoans are divided into South Side Irish and Everyone Else.

Guinness gloves are a thing.

(There are lots of balloons.)

The Blackhawks get festive.
Getty | Jonathan Daniel

The Blackhawks get festive.

But the main attraction is the Chicago River, dyed green.
Getty | Scott Olson

But the main attraction is the Chicago River, dyed green.

As in — very, very bright green.
Getty | Brian Kersey

As in — very, very bright green.

Huge crowds make their way to the riverbanks.
Getty | Tasos Katopodis

Huge crowds make their way to the riverbanks.

It gets totally chaotic.
Getty | Brian Kersey

It gets totally chaotic.

Ahead of time, everybody collects a crazy mix of shamrock-covered flair.
Twitter | twinnerdos

Ahead of time, everybody collects a crazy mix of shamrock-covered flair.

Mustaches included.

Dogs, too, get into the holiday spirit, wearing little green sweaters.
Getty | Tim Boyle

Dogs, too, get into the holiday spirit, wearing little green sweaters.

Or, you know, rocking green fur.
Getty | Brian Kersey

Or, you know, rocking green fur.

And so are the el trains.
Twitter | AlexisJRoseman

And so are the el trains.

People drink a lot of these.

And Irish dancers.
Getty | Tim Boyle

And Irish dancers.

And leprechaun mascots.
Getty | Brian Kersey

And leprechaun mascots.

Chicagoans sport big green glasses and big green hats.
Getty | Brian Kersey

Chicagoans sport big green glasses and big green hats.

There are painted faces and kids standing on shoulders.
Getty | Brian Kersey

There are painted faces and kids standing on shoulders.

Also, kids wrapped in Irish blankets.
Getty | Tim Boyle

Also, kids wrapped in Irish blankets.

Rain or shine, it's a party.
Getty | Frank Polich

Rain or shine, it's a party.

And it's encouraged to become a ginger for the day.
Getty | Brian Kersey

And it's encouraged to become a ginger for the day.

Once, then-Senator Barack Obama made an appearance.
Getty | Tim Boyle

Once, then-Senator Barack Obama made an appearance.

So did then-President George W. Bush.
Getty | LUKE FRAZZA

So did then-President George W. Bush.

But seriously, did we mention the leprechaun wearing jet shoes?
Getty | Scott Olson

But seriously, did we mention the leprechaun wearing jet shoes?

Cheers to the Chirish!

Way to do St. Patrick's Day right, Chicago.