Shamrock and rock: St. Patrick’s Day events happening across the suburbs
Saturday, March 14
St. Paddy’s Day 5K Run/Walk: 8 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave., Naperville. Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club’s 17th annual race through downtown Naperville to benefit local charities, including the Naperville YMCA, KidsMatter and the Grow Wellness Foundation. Costumes welcome. Register: napervillesunrise.com/events/5k.
St. Patrick’s Weekend Festival: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 14, on Hubbard Street, between LaSalle and State, Chicago. Outdoor block party with a festival stage, tented areas, more than 20 DJs and live bands, outdoor bars and food vendors. Free entry with a suggested donation; ticket packages include drink and food vouchers plus entry to participating venues at eventbrite.com.
Astound Irish Village Market: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Irish food, beverages, culture, and entertainment from The Dirty Wellies and Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance. Free. irishvillagemarket.com.
Yorkville SOB Run: 9 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Southbank Original Barbecue, 129 E. Hydraulic St., Yorkville. 10th annual St. Patrick’s Day-themed 5K, with proceeds benefiting CASA Kendall County. $35. Register: runsignup.com/Race/IL/Yorkville/RUNSOBRUN.
Yorkville St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Riverfront Park, 131 E. Hydraulic Ave., Yorkville. This family-friendly celebration features a lucky leprechaun hunt, Procession Brass Band from 9:45-10:45 a.m., the annual “Clover Court” contest and the Irish Parade at 11 a.m. along Hydraulic Avenue. Free. yorkville.il.us.
Naperville St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, in downtown Naperville. West Suburban Irish hosts the parade, which steps off at Mill Street and Ogden Avenue, travels south on Mill to Jefferson Avenue, east through downtown to Main Street, south to Porter Avenue, and ends at the Naperville Central High School parking lot. wsirish.org/parade.
St. Patrick’s Party: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at The Quarry Cable Park & Grille, 5517 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake. Sixth annual family-friendly celebration features Irish festivities including a minimarket, fire pits and cornhole. Traditional Irish bagpiper from 11:30 a.m. to noon; live music from Jimmy Marquis from noon to 1:15 p.m. and 1:45-3:30 p.m.; and the Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance Irish Dancers from 1:15-1:45 p.m. $5. thequarrycablepark.com.
Palatine St. Patrick’s Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, stepping off from the corner of Wood and Oak streets, Palatine. Before and after the parade, sponsoring establishments will host events. Free. durtystpats.com.
ShamROCK the Fox: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 14; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Miller Point Park, 1202 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry. Heated festival tent with live music, food trucks and family activities. Fox River dyeing at 10 a.m. Saturday, the ShamROCK the Fox Parade at noon Saturday, and a fireworks finale at 7 p.m. Sunday. Music lineup: Saturday: The Messengers from 12:30-2:30 p.m., The Abby Kay Band from 3:15-5:15 p.m., Southbound from 6-8 p.m. and Beyond the Blonde from 9-11 p.m.; Sunday: Jess Irish Piano Bar from noon to 2 p.m. and Fast Times from 5-7 p.m. Free. naturallymchenrycounty.com.
Shamrock Beer Run & BrewFest Chicago: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Busse Woods, South Grove 28, Elk Grove Village. 5K run or walk and brewfest. For 21 and older. 5K and BrewFest starts at $40; BrewFest only and virtual 5K prices are available. chicago.shamrockbeerrun.com.
Grayslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in downtown Grayslake. Parade steps off from Gelatin Park and heads down Center Street, ending at Lake Street. Music, food, bagpipers, Irish dancers and more. Free. grayslakechamber.com.
St. Charles St. Patrick’s Parade: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in downtown St. Charles. Presented by the St. Charles Business Alliance, the parade travels down Main Street, stepping off at 6th Street and concluding at 4th Avenue. It begins with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. at the 1st Street Plaza featuring live entertainment and face painting. Throughout the weekend, there will be a Shamrock Hunt, lucky photo stations at Riverside and Illinois avenues and themed specials at local businesses. stcstpatricksparade.com.
St. Patrick’s Celebration at The Dole: 2-11 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at The Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Family-friendly festivities including appearances by a leprechaun, traditional bagpipers and Irish dance troupes from 2-5 p.m.; live music from The Lilies of the Midwest from 2-3:30 p.m.; acoustic performance by Brett Gaertner from 4-6 p.m.; The King of Mars from 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and a 21+ After Party in Lou’s Lounge featuring DJ Dave of Entertainment Media from 8:30-11 p.m. Open to all ages until 7 p.m.; 21 and older after 7 p.m. Food and beverages for purchase. Free, but reserve tickets in advance. thedole.org.
“An Irish Heartbeat — A Tribute to Van Morrison”: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Soundtrack for a Generation presents a 10-piece band led by singer and harpist Derrick Procell. The show covers Van Morrison’s career, from soul and jazz to Celtic folk. Tickets start at $53. rauecenter.org.
Sunday, March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with One of the Girls: 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Irish music. $16.26-$29.43. evanstonspace.com.
Tuesday, March 17
Switchback — Travelin’ Down an Irish Road: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The Midday Matinee features Marty McCormack and Brian FitzGerald performing American roots and Celtic soul. $35. eccartscenter.org.
Beautiful Vision — The Songs of Van Morrison: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Singer-songwriter Steve Dawson brings Chicago musicians together for a tribute to Van Morrison. $20.63-$33.90. evanstonspace.com.