Boston's topSt Patrick's Day events include the enormousSt. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston (locally known as "Southie"), rollicking concerts by theDropkick Murphys' at House of Blues and other venues, non-stop festivities in ourfamous Irish pubs - and that's only the beginning of fun things to do on this favorite Irish-American holiday.

You can alsoraise a glass of Guinness while listening to traditional Irish music on a sightseeing cruise around the Harbor. 

Or explore Boston's Irish heritage along theIrish Heritage Trail,watch the Celticsplay at TD Garden, or stop by Harpoon for somehouse-made Irish specialtiesand of course their special brew.

Check out thesetop ways to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Boston - and you'll quickly see why Boston is considered themost Irish of any American city!

Find out about the St Patricks Day parade in Boston

Find out where to stay near the parade

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1.  Rock on at the Dropkick Murphys concerts at House of Blues & MGM Music Hall 2025

Boston's most famousCeltic punk rock group, the Dropkick Murphys, spends most of their time touring since becoming so popular, but they always returnhome to Boston to perform concerts St Patrick's Day atHouse of Blues, near Fenway Park. 

This year, you can also see the Dropkick Murphys in concert at MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park. 

• Dropkick Murphys- MGM Music Hall & House of Blues - March 14, 15, 16, 17

Needless to say, the Dropkick Murphys' rollicking performances sell out quickly, but if you're a fan, you'll want to catch one of these concerts - soget your tickets now!

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

2. Dress in Green for the St Patrick's Day Parade in Southie 

Themassive St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston takes center stage on the Sunday closest to March 17th, attracting up to one million spectators.

You'll enjoy the colorful floats, Irish and American pipe and drum bands, and enthusiastic crowds.

Just be sure to wear green.

Find the St Patrick's Day parade route map through South Boston, plus tips for how to get there

Check theMarch Boston Event Calendar for theexact date and time- it's a little earlier than usual this year

More about the St Patrick's Day Parade

3.  Sign up for the St Patrick's Day Road Race in Southie

If you're going to South Boston for the big St Patrick's Day Parade, head over to West 6th Street to cheer on the runners of theSt Patrick's Day 5K Road Race, where the first lucky 650 runners to register will be wearing the official long-sleeved race shirts designed by the Dropkick Murphys, one of the race's sponsors.

The South Boston Boys and Girls Club sponsors this race, which has been held each year since 1940.  Entrants arecapped at 1,750 - so early registration is advised.

The race starts and ends at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club at 230 West 6th Street in South Boston, and follows a 5K (3.1 mile) course.

Check theBoston Event Calendar for March for the exact date, time, and sign-up info.

4.  Hear Irish Music, See Irish Step Dancers, and Raise a Glass of Guinness to Celebrate

Want to visit some local favorites for celebrating St Patrick's Day in and near Boston?  Try these popular Irish bars:

St Patrick's Week at Lansdowne Pub (9 Lansdowne St, across from Fenway Park) - Live music all week, with an all-day show and plenty of Guinness on March 15 and 16, plus a big St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl all across Boston on the 15th.  More info

The Burren - Traditional Irish music almost 7 nights each week - plus special Irish sessions, open mics, Irish step-dancing (normally the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month), and appearances by local as well as international Irish music stars. 

The Burren will host a specialSt Patrick's Day Variety Show in their Back Room at 7pm on March 14 and 15, and at 12 noon and 5pm on March 16 featuring Irish tunes, ballads, stories, dancing, and special guests at The Burren, Davis Square, Somerville. 

On St Patricks Day, March 17, shows are at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm.  Hosts for the show are traditional Irish musicians Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello, who are also the owners of The Burren, numerous winners of the Best Irish Bar title since it opened in 1996.

Tasty menu options include Guinness stew, shepards pie, and corned beef and cabbage (plus a vegan option).  Check the Burren's websitefor details, and make your reservations early as they always sell out well in advance. 

Ned Devine's Irish Pubin Faneuil Marketplace - Live Irish, whaling, and drinking music from 3pm-7pm byThe Pourmen on March 17 (who will also be at The Black Rose on the 15th).  More details atneddevinesboston.com. 

The Black Rose - Irish musicians perform here (160 State Street, Downtown Boston, behind Faneuil Marketplace) every night of the week, and often on Saturday and Sunday afternoons as well. 

If you've ever experienced the pleasure of a trad session in Ireland, you'll come close to finding the same thing here, along with plenty of Irish craic and of course plenty of Guinness at the bar.  You can find the current schedule on theBlack Rose's website. 

Mr Dooley's Boston Tavern - (77 Broad Street, near Faneuil Marketplace) - Entertainment every night, ranging from trad sessions to local and Irish bands and musicians to comedy. Check out the daily lineup 

Find more of Boston's best Irish pubs

5.  Dine on Irish food in Boston

Not surprisingly, you can find some of thebest Irish foodinBoston's Irish pubs. 

They do get packed with Guinness fans during evening hours, but most also serve brunch on the weekend.  Here are 4 top places to try:

Lansdowne Pub(9 Lansdowne Street across from Fenway Park) - Go for the Irish Scrambler (shown in photo, brunch only), the Irish Breakfast, and house-made Bangers and Mash.  Live music on many nights; weekend brunch. Website

The Black Rose - (160 State Street, Downtown Boston, next to Faneuil Marketplace) - Order the Irish Breakfast (breakfast menu only) with black and white pudding, or the Shepherd's Pie.  Irish music every night of the week, and often on Saturday and Sunday afternoons; weekend breakfast.  Reservations may be required for St Patricks Day. Website

J.J. Foley's Cafe (117 East Berkeley, in Boston's South End) - Family owned and operated since 1909, JJ Foley's offers a nice selection of Irish ale and cider, along with plenty of Guinness.  For a taste of Ireland, order the fish and chips, or the grilled Scottish salmon filet.  The other food here, which runs the gamut of elevated pub including vegan options, is also quite good.  Patio seating will be open if the weather cooperates. website

More Irish pubs in and near Boston

6.  Try these fun ways to experience Boston's pub culture

7. Cheer the Boston Celtics at TD Garden (although not on the 17th this year)

Of course aBoston Celtics gameis not just a St. Patrick's Day event - but what better way to show your Celtic spirit than dressing in green and cheering for the home team at a game atTD Garden?

They're not at the Garden on the 17th this year - but you can catch them there on Monday, the 18th, when they take on the Detroit Pistons.

Tickets are affordable, TD Garden's downtown location is super-easy to reach (just take the T to North Station), and you'll find plenty ofIrish pubs/sports bars nearby.

So get your Celtics tickets, wear lots of green, and cheer our home team!

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

Find Celtics tickets for March

Find all March events at TD Garden

8.  Stay close to Boston's Irish pubs

If you're planning some serious St Patrick's Day celebrating at one or more of our fineBoston Irish pubs, areservation at a nearby hotel means you'll haveno worries about getting home or finding a non-celebrating designated driver. 

Best strategy:  Think about where you'll be at Last Call, and make a hotel reservation nearby.  For example, if you think you'll end up at one of the Irish pubs near TD Garden, make your reservation for conveniently-locatedThe Boxer (shown above).  If you plan to sample the brew in Southie (a.k.a. South Boston) along the parade route, stay at the newCambria Hotel across from the Broadway T station.

Here are a few suggestions for hotels in several Boston neighborhoods rich with Irish pubs where you might find yourself at the end of the evening:

Hotels convenient to Irish pubs near Faneuil Marketplace / Downtown 

• Bostonian Hotel - Lovely hotel with luxurious amenities across from theGreen Dragon andFaneuil Marketplace pubs -Book now 
• Harborside Inn - Cozy boutique hotel offering great value near the waterfront and close toThe Black Rose andKitty O'Shea's -Book now

Hotels close to Irish pubs in Southie

• Cambria Hotel - Value-packed new hotel on the parade route and close to many of Southie's iconic Irish pubs - Find lowest rates 

Hotels close to Irish pubs around TD Garden

• Wyndham Hotel Boston - Excellent mid-range hotel close toThe Kinsale -Compare all rates
• Onyx Hotel - Popular Kimpton Hotel with great decor very close to TD Garden Irish pubs, such as McGann's -Find discount rates
• Boxer Hotel - Another convenient hotel close toTD Garden pubs; not far fromThe Kinsale -Find discount rates

Hotels close to Back Bay pubs

• Hotel 140 - One of Boston's best bargain hotels nearCuffs -Compare all rates
• Hilton Boston Back Bay - Excellent high-end business hotel close toMcGreevy's -Find discount rates
• The Eliot - Wonderful luxury hotel where you can stay in style in a suite - close toMcGreevy's -Compare all rates

Hotels near Irish pubs in Fenway Park

• Hotel Commonwealth - Luxury hotel nearFenway Park pubs -Compare all rates
• The Verb - Rock & roll by Fenway Park -Book now

Cambridge hotels near Irish pubs in and around Harvard Square 

• Hotel Veritas - Nice boutique hotel nearGrafton Street PubandToad,and not far from thePlough and Stars -Compare all rates 
• Le Meridien Cambridge - Kendall Square (MIT area) hotel near theAasgard and not too far fromThe Druid -Compare all rates 

9.  Sample the Brew & Irish Food at Harpoon Brewery's St Patrick's Day Parade Pre-Game Brunch

Harpoon Brewery (306 Northern Ave,South Boston Waterfront) kicks off their St Patrick's Day celebrations with a pre-Parade brunch at their brewery starting at 10am.

You can enjoy their large selection of Harpoon and UFO beers as well as bagels and Irish beef stew available for purchase, and the Blarney Beats will be onhand to provide musical cheer.

You can find all the details plus advance ticket purchase information on theirwebsite.  (Click on Events)

Age: 21+

10.  Explore the Irish Heritage Trail

Boston is themost Irish of all American cities,with almost a quarter of all Boston residents claiming at least some Irish ancestry in the 2000 U.S. Census. 

Boston's Irish Heritage Trailcelebrates the contributions of the Irish immigrants and their descendants to the city and the nation over the course of 3+ centuries. 

The Trail starts at the beautiful Rose Kennedy Rose Garden in the North End, stretches across more than 3 miles of Downtown Boston and Back Bay, and ends at Fenway Park.

Walking along the self-guidedIrish Heritage Trail is a popular St Patrick's Day activity.  If you decide to do this too, you'll visit statues, monuments, and buildings ranging from multiple statues of Irish politician James Michael Curley to the moving Boston Irish Famine Memorial to the Massachusetts State House. 

The Irish Heritage Trail also takes you past many of Boston's other famous sites and attractions, so it doubles as a way to tour a large swath of the city.  More about theIrish Heritage Trail

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St Patrick's Day - Your Questions, BDG's Answers

Boston Hotels Convenient to the St Patrick's Day Parade
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