Chicago Parade Schedule
One of the great things about Chicago is its parades. There is a parade for everyone in this town!
Here’s are some parades that this city has to offer:
Jan-Feb:
Chinese New Year Parade. Celebration of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown! Could be interesting. Normally starts around near Wentworth Avenue, from 24th Street to Cermak.
March:
St. Patty’s Day!
South Side Parade. It has returned, but remember that there is a zero alcohol tolerance policy, so no repeats of historical drunkenness. It steps off at 103rd St. and proceeds down Western Avenue to 115th St.
Northwest Side Irish Parade. Often the weekend before St. Pat’s Day, starts around noon’ starts near William J. Onahan School 6634 W. Raven St. Chicago, IL 60631
Downtown St. Pat’s Parade–St. Pat’s weekend, starts at noon, Columbus drive (starting at Balboa and ending at Monroe) Dyeing the river normally occurs at 1030-ish
[This is a total segue, but the first St. Pat’s Day Parade I saw was in NY. I hadn’t planned it as I was in NYC for a seminar. During our lunch break, we stepped outside and there it was! This was the event that made me decide that whoever invented the kilt was a genius…EVERY man looked good in kilt. It didn’t matter his height, weight, age, or anything; they all looked good:) ]
April:
Greek Independence Day Parade...I have difficulty finding deets on this one, so keep if you are interested, start looking for info!
May:
Cinco de Mayo…The parade route will likely be Cermak Rd. from Wood St. to Kedzie and start around noon.
Polish Constitution Day Parade….Polish Constitution Day is 3 May– so it will likely be the closest weekend to that date. Normally starts at 11 am near Columbus and Balboa.
June:
Pride Parade!…Everyone should experience this once. GET THERE EARLY…like an hour or two early. It is crazy and packed and goes on and on forever. I went one year and it was hot. It is an incredible people-watching event.
[Photo copyright Northalsted.]
July:
Okay, this is me hoping that someday Venetian Nights will again be sponsored. This was one of my favorite events as it was a good excuse to sit along the lakefront with friends and enjoy a show. Until that happens, consider this a placeholder. 🙁
October:
Northalstead Halloween Parade…This parade normally occurs on Halloween itself and starts around 7 pm. Head for Halstead and Belmont in the Lakeview/Boystown neighborhood.
November:
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival… Often the weekend before Thanksgiving. I’m not sure how I feel about the first Christmas activity occurring before Thanksgiving, but for those of you who aren’t as picky about this issue can still enjoy it:) The parade starts at 6pm along North Michigan Avenue, from Wacker Drive to Oak Street.
McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…This parade starts at— eep!— 8 am. It will run on State Street from Congress to Randolf.
December:
Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade…Often the first weekend in December, this parade begins at Western Avenue and 83rd Street and heads north on Western to around Belmont or Addison.
