33rd Annual Chicago River Day

May 10, 2025

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

After Party from 12 - 3 p.m. 

 

75+ sites across the Chicago-Calumet River system

Free and Family-Friendly

Registration opens Monday, March 24

Sponsor Chicago River Day 

 

Every year since 1992, Friends of the Chicago River partners with community leaders, municipalities, and landowners to host our largest volunteer stewardship day of the year, Chicago River Day. Volunteers build community and improve our rivers and public spaces by cleaning up harmful litter, mulching trails, and removing invasive plants. At this watershed-wide cleanup, thousands of community members, families, and companies work in and along the 156-mile Chicago-Calumet River system at over 75 locations throughout the city and suburbs. After the event, volunteers come together to swap stories with other volunteers and celebrate their hard work at after parties at Blue Island Beer Company and Burning Bush Brewery.

 

While there is much to celebrate about the river’s renaissance over the past 40 years, litter continues to be a persistent problem, especially in the form of plastics from food and product packaging. Chicago River Day is the flagship event for Friends’ Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative that combats this plastic pollution problem. The initiative is dedicated to reducing and eliminating litter in and along our river system through public policy and on the ground action.  

 

More details about site locations and how to register will be posted when registration opens. Check out our Chicago River Day FAQs here for more details.

 

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Here are a few of the many fantastic stories about Chicago River Day 2024 in our local media: 

WTTW - The Annual Chicago River Day Cleanup is Saturday

ABC - Thousands of volunteers participate in clean-up for 32nd Chicago River Day

Chicago Tribune - Tiny pieces of plastic pose one of the biggest threats to Chicago River wildlife and water quality

 

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Litter, in particular plastics, harm people, water, wildlife, and communities. Friends' Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River initiative reduces the amount of trash harming our waterways through a multi-pronged approach of litter research, cleanup efforts, and policy and litter reduction programs.  

Interested in helping clean up throughout the year? Check out other Litter Free opportunities here.