2024 PARADE ROUTE ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE CHICAGO POLICE & PARADE ORGANIZERS PLAN A STEPPED UP SECURITY PROCESS ON PARADE DAY TO ENSURE A SAFE AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.
ENTRY TO THE PARADE ROUTE OPENS AT 11AM AND WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED AT
JACKSON AVE. AND IDA B. WELLS (formerly Congress Blvd.)
SECURITY CHECKPOINTS WILL BE SET UP FOR ENTRY TO THE PARADE ROUTE -
SECURITY WILL BE CHECKING ALL BAGS AND PURSES
COOLERS, ALCOHOL, OPEN BEVERAGES, CAMELBACKS & PERSONAL WATER BOTTLES
WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO OR ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE CHICAGO POLICE & PARADE ORGANIZERS PLAN A STEPPED UP SECURITY PROCESS ON PARADE DAY TO ENSURE A SAFE AND FAMILY- FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.
ENTRY TO THE PARADE ROUTE OPENS AT 11AM AND WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED AT
JACKSON AVE. AND IDA B. WELLS (formerly Congress Blvd.)
SECURITY CHECKPOINTS WILL BE SET UP FOR ENTRY TO THE PARADE ROUTE -
SECURITY WILL BE CHECKING ALL BAGS AND PURSES
COOLERS, ALCOHOL, OPEN BEVERAGES, CAMELBACKS & PERSONAL WATER BOTTLES
WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO OR ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE.
Parade Information
2024 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Parade always occurs on a Saturday. If St. Patrick's Day does not fall on a Saturday, the Parade is held the Saturday before. The next Parade will be on, Saturday March 16, 2024. The Parade WILL STEP OFF AT 12:30PM.
Our Downtown Chicago Parade begins at 12:30 noon, Saturday March 16, 2024. The Parade will be broadcast LIVE this year by ABC-Channel 7!
Jim Coyne, Business Manager of Plumbers Local 130 UA & the General Chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Parade would like to personally invite all of Chicago to join us on Parade Day, Saturday, March 16, 2024! Slainte!!!
Parade Route
The parade starts at Balbo and Columbus. The parade units will proceed north on Columbus Drive and the viewing stand will be located in front of Buckingham Fountain.
Public Transportation Highly Recommended!
We strongly recommend that you come downtown early and if possible take public transportation.
The following are directions to the parade using various public transport methods:
- Blue or Red Lines:
-If you are on the "Blue" or "Red" line, please exit train at any of the loop stops and walk east to Columbus Drive.
www.transitchicago.com - Brown, Green or Orange Lines:
-If you are on the "Brown", "Green" or "Orange" lines then exit at any of the stops along Wabash and walk east to Columbus Drive.
www.transitchicago.com - Metra:
-If you are coming in on Metra, exit Union Station and walk 7 blocks east to Columbus Drive.
www.metrarail.com - Bus:
-For specific bus route information contact the CTA for best instructions to downtown Chicago.
www.transitchicago.com
Driving Instructions
The following are driving directions from various areas in Chicagoland:- From North or Northwest:
Enter downtown Chicago via I-94, you can exit and go east at Washington, Monroe or Congress Pkwy. Look for parking either at Wells or Wabash. - From West:
Take 290 east onto Congress Pkwy. Look for parking before you get to Michigan Ave, there will be plenty on your right. - From South or Southwest:
Take 94 into the loop, exit at Congress Pkwy, Monroe or Washington. Look for parking at Wells or Wabash.
If you need more specific driving directions try the Google Map link below. Simply enter your address into the 'Starting Address' section on the left of the Google Map page. The center of the parade route (400 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois) will be entered for you.
Google Directions to Parade
Parking Information
For Handicapped parking needs, your best bet may be the underground parking below Grant Park, enter on Columbus at Randolph. There is parking at the Hilton located at Balbo and Michigan, one block from start of parade.
Additional parking can be found along Wells between Lake and Van Buren. Parking can also be found along Wabash between Lake and Congress. (This is closest to the actual parade route.)
There is additional parking at Navy Pier which places you about a half mile from the parade route.
Parking near Randolph places you nicely between the river dyeing and the parade route.
Parking fees can range from $20.00 to $60.00 depending on the lot. We do not have specific pricing information. These prices are estimates only. Your costs may vary
Where can I view the Parade?
~The Parade route begins on the corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo then continues North to Monroe.
~Grandstand Seating can be sponsored in advance on Eventbrite ($65.00 per seat),
~Grandstand Seating is open at 11:15am, located at approx. IDa B. Wells and Columbus (east side).
What if it rains or snows?
Parade cancellation? Never!
Snow, rain or arctic cold, the parade goes on.
-If you are on the "Blue" or "Red" line, please exit train at any of the loop stops and walk east to Columbus Drive.
www.transitchicago.com
-If you are on the "Brown", "Green" or "Orange" lines then exit at any of the stops along Wabash and walk east to Columbus Drive.
www.transitchicago.com
-If you are coming in on Metra, exit Union Station and walk 7 blocks east to Columbus Drive.
www.metrarail.com
-For specific bus route information contact the CTA for best instructions to downtown Chicago.
www.transitchicago.com
Enter downtown Chicago via I-94, you can exit and go east at Washington, Monroe or Congress Pkwy. Look for parking either at Wells or Wabash.
Take 290 east onto Congress Pkwy. Look for parking before you get to Michigan Ave, there will be plenty on your right.
Take 94 into the loop, exit at Congress Pkwy, Monroe or Washington. Look for parking at Wells or Wabash.