Chicago doesn’t wait until March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which is why the Chicago River Dying and Downtown Parade are happening on Saturday.

The city is expecting an influx of people to celebrate the events, so here’s what you need to know if you plan to experience them in person.

Saturday will be cloudy and windy with temperatures nearly steady in the mid-30s. There is a chance of snow Saturday night with about 1 inch of snow possible.

Expect occasional snow on Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 30s.

Here’s a look at the crazy season Patrick’s Day since 1871 — and how the Tribune covered it.

dyeing process begins saturday morning 10 and extends approximately three-quarters of a mile east from Orleans Street to Columbus Drive. This is a much wider area than in the pre-COVID-19 years.

watching from home? in tune WMAQ-Ch. 5live stream.

• date: Saturday, March 11
• start time: 10 a.m. (It takes about 45 minutes for the river to turn completely green.)
• Where to watch: Along Upper Wacker Drive.
• Bridge: Closed to spectators during the river dyeing except for Orleans Street and Columbus and LaSalle Drives, which will be open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Chicago Riverwalk: Will close at 11 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and will reopen at 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 12.

There is about a two-hour gap between the completion of the Chicago River dyeing and the start of the parade – which is in its 66th year.

watching from home? in tune WLS-Ch. 7live stream.

• date: Saturday, March 11
• start time: 12:30 PM
• withdraw from: Drive to the corner of Columbus and Balboa and is about a half mile north of Columbus to Monroe Street.
• Entry: Beginning at 11 a.m., spectators can only access the parade route via Jackson Boulevard and Ida B. Wells Drive. Leave coolers, alcoholic beverages and water bottles at home.
• Road closure: Beginning at 8 a.m., Columbus Drive, Wacker Drive south to Roosevelt Roads will be closed to vehicles.
• Security: All bags and purses will be checked at the parade route entrances. Alcohol, coolers, open beverages, Camelbaks or personal water bottles are not allowed.

Details for other St. Patrick’s Day parades in Chicago:

• Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Saturday afternoon starts at the intersection of 53rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, then goes south on Oak Park to Archer Avenue, then east on Archer to Narragansett Avenue, ending at the 5600 block of South Narragansett.
• Northwest Side Irish Parade: Sunday afternoons start at 6634 W. Raven St. (outside William J. Onahan Elementary School), then go south on Neola Ave. to Northwest Highway, then north on Northwest Highway to Harlem Ave.
• South Side Irish Parade: On Sunday afternoons begins at the intersection of 103rd Street and Western Avenue, then heads south to 115th Street.

Due to expected large crowds and road closures, organizers say to plan extra time to get to these events and consider using public transportation.

Chicago Transit Authority

Unlimited Ride Pass Available for one day ($5) or three days ($15) and can be purchased through ventra app,

check out www.transchicago.com For bus and rail fare information, route schedules and maps.

Rail Lines:

Buses: will cause road closure turns the way,

metra

Metra offers two weekend-pass option, Unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday are $7. Up to three children age 11 and under can ride free with each fare-paying adult. A weekend pass includes unlimited rides for $10, available only at ventra app,

Connects to 6 Metra Lines union station And Ogilvy Transportation Center, joins a LaSalle Street Station,

check metra.com For route schedules and maps. Alcohol and bicycles are not allowed on Rock Island trains on Saturdays and Sundays for all lines.

Parking

If driving downtown, parking can be purchased in advance spot hero Or Millennium Garage,