Cities across the country are turning to green as they take part in the annual St Patrick 's Day parades . The more than 33 million Irish-Americans are set to be involved in the festivities this year alongside their compatriots from around the world . The day itself is not until Tuesday - but many dressed up in green as processions began to take place . Scroll down for videos . Celebrating the Emerald Isle : The Chicago River is dyed green for the 32nd time to mark the city 's St Patrick 's Day Parade . Color change : The boat speeds through the water , casting out the green dye from the rear . Flow : Kayakers float on the Chicago River after being dyed green ahead of the parade . Spectators who had traveled from all parts of the country gathered on the banks to watch the tradition unfold . Music : A band wearing green hats and blazers walk along the parade route in Raleigh , North Carolina . Alternative transport : A man rides past the crowds in Raleigh , North Carolina , on a unicycle . According to ABC , nearly $ 5billion will be spent on all things associated with the Emerald Isle - including food , drink and fancy dress . Chicago followed its 32-year-old tradition by dying the river green in front of thousands of people who travelled to the city from across the country . The parade in Boston will make history this Sunday as two gay and lesbian groups join the fun . The advocacy group Boston Pride and OutVets , a group of gay military veterans , have been welcomed by the organizers . Until now , gay rights have barred by the Allied War Veterans Council from marching in the parade , which draws as many as a million spectators to South Boston each year . Twenty years ago , the U.S. Supreme Court upheld their right to keep gays out . To celebrate the day the Pittsburgh Penguins will also be wearing special Green and Orange warm-up jerseys . Police will are also preparing for the festivities , with forces around the country putting on extra officers and increasing DUI checkpoints . It is the fourth most popular drinking day of the year - behind New Year 's Eve , Christmas and the Fourth of July . According to WalletHub , around 13 million pints of Guinness will be drunk . Musical : New York Shields Pipes & Drums marches during the 27th annual North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick 's Day Parade and Festival on Saturday , in North Myrtle Beach . Wet weather : Heroes 4 Hire marches along the streets in the rain in South Carolina . Covered up : The rain would not dampen the spirits of these women playing kazoos in South Carolina . Procession : A bagpipe band marches in the 133rd Atlanta St. Patrick 's Parade in Atlanta , Georgia . Support : Charles Doyle watches and waves at spectators in Atlanta on the side of the street . Pet parade : Margaret Sutherland holds her Maine coon therapy cat Oliver Underfoot in Atlanta . Snap : People on the side of the road dressed up in green hats take pictures on their phones . Setting up : Vendor Robb Hazzard prepares his cart of Irish souvenirs before the 133rd Atlanta St. Patrick 's Parade in Atlanta , Georgia . Drink in hand : Jerry O'Bryan stands in front of the Nine Irish Brothers pub in West Lafayette , Indiana . Form above : Crowds gather along the parade route outside The Gateway Salt Lake City , Utah . Excitement : Spectators line the streets in Lincoln , Nebraska , during the build up to the procession . Streets painted green : The Colorado Rockies wished their fans a Happy St Patrick 's Day and posted a picture outside their Coors Field stadium in Denver . Dressed up : The green Columbus Blue Jackets mascot walks along the parade route in Ohio . Outfit : Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins warms up in a special green jersey ahead of their game against the Boston Bruins at the Consol Energy Center . The Dallas Mavericks social media team . A woman walks by rows of steel barricades set up for Saturday 's street party in Pittsburgh 's Market Square . Workers unload a truckload of portable toilets in Pittsburgh in time for the celebrations .
More than 33 million Irish-Americans set to take part in the festivities . Chicago River will be dyed green for the 32nd time this year . Americans will shell out more than 33 million during the celebrations . Reports suggest around 13 million pints of Guinness will be drunk globally .