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Don't Miss St. Patrick's Day in Illinois This Year

il st patricks day places

Bustling cities and small towns across Illinois come together each March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Parades are held throughout the state to honor Irish heritage with traditional Irish food, dances, music and more. Illinoisans continue to uphold these St. Patty’s Day traditions. Here are a few great places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the state.


Inn at Irish Hollow, Galena, IL

For a romantic St. Patrick’s Day away from large crowds, the Inn at Irish Hollow is the ideal destination. Here you can stay in a quaint cottage with a stone fireplace and whirlpool spa. This intimate bed and breakfast also offers seasonal dishes prepared from organic produce straight from the garden. 

Chicago Shamrock Crawl, Chicago, IL

Go bar hopping in Wrigleyville at the Chicago Shamrock Crawl. Tickets include a breakfast buffet, green t-shirt, and lots of free giveaways. The Shamrock Crawl hits up all the best bars in Wrigleyville including Old Crow, Full Shilling, Moe’s, and several others. 

Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Elmhurst, IL

If you love parades, put Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade on your destination list. This local festivity features Irish dancers, marching bands, animated characters, and over 80 floats. The parade is second largest St. Patty’s Day parade in the Chicagoland area. 

Galena St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Galena, IL

For small town charm and family-friendly activities, head to the Galena St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade, which features floats, marching bands, local team mascots, and more.

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Corned Beef Luncheon, Lake Villa, IL

This northern Illinois St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at Palombi School and ends on Cedar Avenue at the Train Station. The annual corned beef luncheon is held afterward at the Lake Villa VFW hall.

Irish American Heritage Center St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Chicago, IL

There’s never a dull moment at the Irish American Heritage Center’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. This large celebration draws in thousands of visitors and features Irish step dance performances, contemporary Irish music, food, Irish gifts, children’s activities, and even an arts and crafts fair! 

Key Insights at a Glance

  • Inn at Irish Hollow: Ideal for a romantic getaway featuring quaint cottages with stone fireplaces, whirlpool spas, and organic seasonal dishes.
  • Chicago Shamrock Crawl: A bar crawl in Wrigleyville includes a breakfast buffet, green t-shirts, and giveaways, covering popular bars like Old Crow and Full Shilling.
  • Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade: This parade features Irish dancers, marching bands, and over 80 floats, making it the second-largest in the Chicagoland area.
  • Galena St. Patrick's Day Celebration: This event offers a family-friendly atmosphere and a parade that includes floats, marching bands, and local mascots.
  • St. Patrick's Day Parade and Corned Beef Luncheon: A parade from Palombi School to Cedar Avenue at the Train Station, followed by a corned beef luncheon at the Lake Villa VFW hall.
  • Irish American Heritage Center St. Patrick's Day Festival: A large festival featuring Irish step dance, contemporary Irish music, food, gifts, children's activities, and an arts and crafts fair.
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