What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day then spending it in Boston. St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration in Boston, what with more than 20% of the Boston population being of Irish heritage. This is the highest per capita percentage of any of the top 50 most populated cities in the country. Put on your shamrock and adorn yourselves with green as you head to Boston to partake in the luck of the Irish and the magical fun of this exciting holiday!
Boston St. Patrick’s Day Events
Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day events include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Dropkick Murphy’s annual House of Blues Concert, the Irish Film Festival, the Irish Heritage Trail. Lots of Irish pubs celebrate the holiday drinking tradition and provide you with typical Irish cooking.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
South Boston holds nothing back when putting on its massive St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which typically draws more than a million spectators. The parade takes place annually on the Sunday that’s closest to St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, which this year is March 19 since St. Patrick’s Day falls on Friday.
The parade features magnificent floats, brass marching bands, military units, historical Minutemen companies, entertainers, politicians, American pipe and drum players and a variety of organizations. You’ll see thousands of marchers and at least 100 groups in the parade.
The parade route begins at the Broadway T station, continues down W. Broadway to E. Broadway, winds down various streets and ends at Andrew Square (Red Line/Andrew T stop).
The Boston St. Patrick’s Parade is a well-kept tradition that began in 1901 and is held every year. It’s the second largest parade in the nation, second only to New York’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade. You should find your spot to view the parade early before the streets become crowded.
Dropkick Murphy s House of Blues Concert
Dropkick Murphy’s is a popular Boston Celtic punk rock group that returns to Boston every year to play at the House of Blues, located close to Fenway Park. If Celtic punk rock is up your alley, you can cut loose and have a fun night out. Concerts are being held March 15, 16 and 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the House of Blues and at Agganis Arena at 4:30 p.m. on March 17.
Irish Heritage Trail
The Trail begins at the stunning Rose Kennedy Rose Garden and spans over three miles through downtown Boston, ending at Fenway Park. It’s a relaxing and beautiful walk where you see statues, monuments to famous Irish heroes and artists, and well-known historical landmarks. Experience some Irish-American history from the 1700s to the present.
The Irish Film Festival
Every March around St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Film Festival showcases films over a four-day period. The festival includes an estimated 30 premiers, features, shorts and documentaries. It’s the cream of the crop as far as Irish films go and brings a focus on Ireland and Irish culture in our day and age.
Food, Drink and Irish Music
Outside of Ireland, you’ll find some of the world’s best Irish pubs in Boston, which are full of music, dancing, green beer and Irish fare on St. Patrick’s Day. The Guinness flows and Irish cheddar, Shepherd’s pie and Irish cod will delight your palates — along with some fine Celtic music to lift your spirits. A few pubs to consider visiting include:
Lansdowne Pub. Live music and house-made Bangers and Mash.
The Kinsale. A genuine replica of an Irish pub built in and shipped from Ireland — offering live music and serving Irish cheddar and cod.
The Black Rose. Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, Shepherd’s Pie and live music.
Crossroads Irish Pub. Full Irish Breakfast, Dublin Fried Chicken, and Sloppy Irish Joe.
J.J. Foley’s Cafe. Established in 1909 and still family owned with Irish ale, Guinness, Irish cider, Irish Brown Bread and Fish and Chips.
Put Your Plans in Place for an Exciting Boston St. Patrick’s Day
Fill your St. Patrick’s Day full of fun and Irish culture — perhaps you’ll encounter a few leprechauns wearing shamrocks along with a green top hat. This is the perfect holiday for a long weekend, and since Boston will be filled with tourists and parade goers, arranging transportation is a smart way to visit.
At Western Motorcoach, we have the perfect vehicle for your group, whether large or small. Our fleet of motorcoaches offer exceptional visibility and air ride suspensions for the ultimate smooth and comfortable ride. Avoid the traffic, directions and parking hassles by putting a professional at the wheel and travel safely.
You’ll also travel green because charter buses are the greenest form of ground transportation in the U.S.