Summer Float Party on the Chicago River

Sunday, July 23, 2023

10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Register to Float Here

Tickets: $50 per person

Apply to Captain a Spirit Team           Sponsor the Float Party           See our FAQs          Sign up to Volunteer

Celebrate the river’s renaissance by filling the river corridor with laughter and joy at this year’s Summer Float Party. Join Friends of the Chicago River and 300 floating friends on inner tubes, kiddie pools and floaty toys to float the North Branch of the Chicago River from River Park to Horner Park. The Summer Float Party is unique opportunity to experience the magic and pageantry of the Chicago River system during the height of summer fun in Chicago, with just a splash of silly for good measure.

• Check in starts at 10:30 a.m. at River Park, 3000 W. Argyle St, Chicago, 60625  
• First wave of floaters starts at 11:30 a.m.
• After Party at Horner Park from 1 – 4 p.m., 2741 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago, 60618

The event takes place Sunday, July 23 from 10:30 a.m.– 4 p.m. Floaters depart from the boat launch at west River Park in Chicago and drift downstream to Horner Park, enjoying the sunshine, watching wildlife who live there, and admiring the ever improving health of the Chicago River system. An after party will take place from 1-4 p.m. at Horner Park. All are welcome to observe the float along the route and join in the after party to celebrate the river’s renaissance.

Apply to Captain a Spirit Team

Friends invites our friends who feel they embody the spirit of the river to apply to be a spirit captain and lead a team of up to four individuals on an enthusiastic float down the Chicago River. Spirit Teams are responsible for fundraising $3,000 on behalf of Friends by August 31, 2023. We appreciate your energy, your support, and your good spirit. Learn more by clicking the link here.

The Summer Float Party is possible because over the last 40 years, the health of the river system is dramatically improved due to the advocacy and efforts of Friends of the Chicago River, the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and so many more partners, stakeholders, and committed community volunteers. Our success can be measured by species of fish; miles of river-edge trail; a flourishing riverfront economy; and people in, on and along the water—this time in floaty toys. Get a glimpse of the 2022 Summer Float Party on WGN News.

Thank you to our Summer Float Party
sponsors and partners!

Friends of the Chicago River is deeply grateful to the 2023 Summer Float Party sponsors and partners who make this event and so much more of our critical work possible. We could not do it without their financial contributions and support of our work to improve and protect the Chicago-Calumet River system for people, plants, and animals. Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and partners. If you are interested in learning more about how to be a sponsor please contact Annie Hanrahan, Development Director, at ahanrahan@chicagoriver.org.