St. Patrick’s Day events and activities

 

Sunday, March 11

Irish Family Celebration
Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W 147th St, Oak Forest (708-687-9323, chicagogaelicpark.org). 1:30pm; $5, 12 and under $3.
The day kicks off with a 9am mass, followed by a hearty traditional breakfast of eggs, Irish sausage, black and white pudding, soda bread and more ($12, 12 and under $5). At 1:30pm, the doors reopen to four stages of live tunes from Celtic-music acts, and performances by the Dennehy School of Irish Dance. Little ones get their own stage in the Celtic Room for a magic show.

Northwest Side Irish Parade and After-Party
Kickoff at Onahan School, 6634 W Raven St (773-678-4112, northwestsideirish.org). Noon; free.
Post-parade party at Immaculate Conception Recreation Center, 7211 W Talcott Ave (773-775-3833, icparish.net). 1pm; $10, 12 and under $5.
For a ninth consecutive year, the Northwest Side Irish organization hosts this family-friendly parade complete with Irish music and dancing. After the parade, face painting and balloons welcome partiers at the Immaculate Conception Parish, where there are hot dogs for the junior set and corned beef and beer for the grownups. 

South Side Irish Parade
Kickoff at Western Ave and 103rd St (773-916-7747; southsideirishparade.org). 11:30am; free.
After a two-year ban, the parade is back with the promise of tightened security and a return to its family-friendly roots. Scheduled marchers include the Marrionette Park Fire Department, the Trinity Irish Dancers and several high school bands and clubs.

South Side Irish Family Fest
Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W 111th St (773-445-3838, beverlyartscenter.org). 1–5pm; $10, families (two adults with kids) $20, 12 and under $2.
Located on the South Side parade route, BAC hosts an indoor fest for families with craft-making, live music and munchies catered from Cavatappi (an Italian joint, but whatevs).