St. Patrick’s Day is a huge holiday in Chicago because of Chicago’s deep history of Irish descendants. The culture splashes in waves over the city every year Irish pride holiday rolls around, from pub celebrations and exciting parades, to fitness runs and green river dying. Some events Chicago holds in honor of the Irish include the following:

The dyeing of the Chicago River: Dyeing the river green has been a Chicago tradition for years. This year, it begins at 10:45 a.m. on March 12, starting before the day’s parade. The dyeing is best seen from the bridge on Michigan Ave.

Chicago’s 56th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The parade is March 12 and begins at noon. This parade is the largest in the city. It begins at Columbus and Balbo Dr., then heads North on Columbus to Monroe Dr.

The 36th annual Forever Green celebration at Navy Pier: Held on March 1, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, this event features live Irish musical performances by Missing Ted and the Larkin and Moran Brothers, Irish dancers, and an open bar, which will provide Jameson and Svedka drinks, along with Miller Lite and wine. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door.

St. Paddy’s 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Irish-American heritage center featuring the Special Olympics Chicago 8K Run: The event begins at 10 a.m. at Cannon Drive and Fullerton Ave. and ends at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. At the museum, participants will celebrate with live music, awards and prizes, and [of age participants] will receive a complimentary Guinness beer.

And for those of us who are of the legal drinking age:

McGee’s on Webster has a presale reservation for unlimited drinks from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for $20 on either Saturday, March 12 or Thursday March 17.

McDunna’s on Fullerton has $30 wristbands for unliminited drinks and live bands for the night of March 17.