San Antonio, Texas
Saturday, March 19, 2022 One non-Chicago city that dyes its river green for St. Patrick’s Day festivities is San Antonio, but unlike Chicago—where the color only lasts a few hours—the slow-moving waters of the meandering San Antonio River means that the dye usually lasts 2-3 days. All the better to celebrate all weekend long! The St. Patrick’s Day River Parade takes place right on the San Antonio River, with spectator viewing all along the San Antonio River Walk, a 2.5-mile walkway lined with restaurants and bars that is now the most-visited tourist attraction in all of Texas. (Ironically, the practice of dyeing their river started in 1968 as an attempt to draw tourists to the area, because at the time they had none.)
The annual dyeing of the river is an event in and of itself, happening twice this year on March 17 and March 19 at 1pm both days, while the weekend-long festivities start on St. Patrick’s Day (Thursday, March 17). This year’s river parade will be held Saturday, March 19 at 4pm, and will feature a procession of 12 Irish-themed decorated floats with costumed characters and bagpipers. Other events worth checking out over the weekend include the Shamrock-N-Roll concert at the Arneson River Theatre on March 17, the 3rd Annual Tater Tot Eating Contest on March 18 at 3pm, the Lucky Dog Parade and Costume Contest on March 19 at 2pm, and the Howl at the Moon St. Patrick’s Day Street Fest & Silent Disco all day starting at noon.