CHICAGO (WLS) -- There is an abundance of St. Patrick Day festivities this weekend, but there are plenty of other fun events in the city and the suburbs!
It's a Chicago tradition that dates back over half a century - the dyeing of the Chicago River emerald green the morning of the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade! Crews will get started at 10 a.m. Saturday morning - the best viewing areas, along the River between State and Columbus. The lower Riverwalk will be closed, but you can watch along upper Wacker and many of the bridges.
Shortly after noon on Saturday, the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade will step off at Columbus and Balbo, traveling north to Monroe! One of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades in the country, you'll see all kinds of colorful floats, Irish Step Dancers, bagpipers, marching bands and more during the three hour parade celebrating Irish culture.
The Irish American Heritage Center will once again host a St. Patrick's Fest on the northwest side Saturday and Sunday. The festivities follow the downtown parade and are filled with traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drinks.
Shamrock'm at Old St. Pat's is so popular, advance tickets for Saturday's festival are sold out - but limited tickets may be available at the door, at its new location this year - 625 W. Adams, across the street from the church.
On Sunday, the South Side Irish Parade steps off at noon at 103rd and Western, traveling south to 115th. This two-hour, family-friendly parade has a zero tolerance for any drunkenness behavior.
Also on Sunday, the Northwest Side Irish Parade steps off at noon from Neola and Raven, heading northwest along Northwest Highway to Harlem. The after party at 6725 W. Devon will feature a corned beef and cabbage dinner, beer wine and soda.
Not everything is about St. Patrick's Day this weekend! In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Brookfield Zoo's Anniversary Ferris Wheel opens today! It's 110-feet tall, and has 24 riding gondolas that seat up to 6 people. You'll find it just east of the newly landscaped Roosevelt Fountain.
Also at Brookfield Zoo, the Bottlenose Dolphins are back after a brand new $10 million renovation to the Seven Seas Habitat! The dolphins are getting acclimated to their new environment - presentations to the public are scheduled to resume next weekend.
Sunday is the next Dog Admission Day at the Morton Arboretum! It's your opportunity to explore the Arboretum's 16 miles of trails with your furry companion. Admission is $5 per dog.
Unseen Oceans is a new exhibit at the Field Museum that gives visitors a peek at the hidden world beneath the waves of the ocean. The exhibit includes life-sized projections, interactive navigation games and tanks filled with seahorses, jellies and more.
On the young theatre beat, PAW Patrol LIVE, The Great Pirate Adventure is back at the Chicago Theatre today and tomorrow. It's all paws on deck, as the Paw Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap'n Turbot from a mysterious cavern.
And on the music beat, Englewood Sings is a festival of musical and cultural workshops celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Englewood Neighborhood Choir. Workshops begin at 1 pm Saturday at Kennedy-King College. The Uniting Voices Chicago Englewood Neighborhood Choir performance will be at 4 p.m. - admission is free!