Neighborhoods

Here’s how you can get involved in your Boston neighborhood this March

Stay connected to Boston's neighborhoods with this monthly guide.

Spending time in local green spaces for group bike rides and cleaning projects are just some of the ways you can get involved this March. (Lane Turner/Globe Staff)

By Zipporah Osei, Alex Svenson, and Annie Jonas

7 minutes to read

Welcome to your Neighborhoods community bulletin board, a monthly guide to community events, civic engagement, and volunteer opportunities in Boston’s neighborhoods.

Do you have an event, session, or other ideas about what we should include in the community bulletin board? E-mail us at [email protected] or fill out the survey at the bottom of this page.

Things to Do | Civic Engagement | Volunteering | Share your event with Boston.com

Things to do

Kick off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with Dropkick Murphys live in concert

St. Patrick’s Day in Boston wouldn’t be the same without a Dropkick Murphys Concert. Possibly one of the most iconic bands to come out of the Boston area, the Murphys’ blend of punk rock and Celtic music has been the sound of St. Patrick’s Day in Boston for years. The band has upcoming shows at the House of Blues MGM Music Hall at Fenway. March 14 to 17; 15 Lansdowne St & 2 Lansdowne St; Tickets start at $45

Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

There’s no better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than Boston — literally, we recently won out in a national ranking. Possibly the most iconic element of the city’s celebrations is the annual parade in South Boston. This year the parade will fall on St. Patrick’s Day itself and highlight everything Southie has to offer. March 17 at 1:30 p.m.; Starts at Dorchester Avenue &, W Broadway, Boston; Free

Easter Egg Hunt

Experience a fun Easter tradition at Boston’s City on a Hill Church. This event is perfect for kids and is a fun-filled morning of searching for colorful eggs hidden around the park. March 30; 10 a.m.-11 a.m.; 136 Green St., Boston; Free

Hike Franklin Park with your neighbors

Experience one of Boston’s largest and most beautiful green spaces with this scenic hike of Dorchester and Jamaica Plain’s Franklin Park. Join Boston Park Rangers, Urban Wilds staff, and Boston Parks employees for a daytime walk through this urban park. Plus, you’ll get discussions with experts on your tours. March 20 at 10:30; Starts at the Shattuck Tennis Courts at the intersection of Circuit Dr. and Morton St., Jamaica Plain; Free 

Have a laugh at the Boston Comedy Festival  

Each year, the Boston Comedy Festival brings New England together to see some of the best comedians in and out of the region. On the line-up are D.L. Hughley, ​​Kevin Nealon, and more performing at City Winery in North End, Berklee Performing Center in Back Bay, and other venues. March 25 to 30; Multiple locations; Tickets start at $25

Whale Watch from Boston Harbor 

Whale watching in Boston Harbor begins in March. Discover a unique experience with Boston Harbor City Cruises and witness these gentle giants aboard an all day whale watch. Boats typically leave in the mornings and cruises last 3.5 hours. Beginning March; 1 Long Wharf, Boston; $75

Civic Engagement

Check in on the MBTA’s track improvement progress

Few commuters will be spared shutdowns this year as the MBTA continues work on system wide improvements. While those fixes are underway, hear from MBTA officials about the progress being made. The next public meeting about the 2024 Track Improvement Program will “give riders the opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and share feedback.” Registration is required for this virtual meeting. March 7 at 6:30 p.m.; Virtual

Give your input on the future of Boston Public Schools buildings

The BPS Capital Planning put together its long term vision for the city’s school buildings and facilities, and they’re inviting the public to learn more. This is a continuation of a series of neighborhood and high school-specific public meetings. The March 9 meeting at the Hyde Park Community Center will focus on South Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, Hyde Park, West Roxbury. Childcare, interpretation, and refreshments will be provided at every meeting. March 9 at 10 a.m., 1179 River St., Boston

Find out how Boston is preserving its history

Boston’s history is storied, and thankfully, well-preserved for future generations. The Office of Historic Preservation will host an open house at City Hall in Downtown Boston to discuss its plans for continued preservation, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, social equity, and affordable housing. They will also discuss plans for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and Boston’s 400th anniversary in 2030. Registration is required for in person and virtual attendance. March 12 at 6 p.m.; 1 City Hall Square, Boston and virtual

Attend a Pathway for Immigrant Workers information session

Pathway for Immigrant Workers is a nonprofit that helps local employers sponsor minimum wage workers for a green card. Whether you’re a local business owner who wants to support immigrant workers or an immigrant for employment opportunities, this session will be helpful for you. PIW will host this meeting at the Central Library in Back Bay. Come to learn how to get involved with the program and get your questions answered. March 13 at 6 p.m.; 700 Boylston St., Boston

Join the Boston Tree Alliance

Learn how you can plant and care for trees in your community at the next meeting of the Boston Tree Alliance. All residents with a passion for the environment and green living are welcome to attend to hear from the organization and other local nonprofits. The first round of spring and fall tree planting grants is currently ongoing and organizers will provide updates and answer questions. March 14 at 1 p.m.; Virtual

Learn how to exercise your rights as a worker

Matahari Women Workers’ Center, an organization that supports women and femme workers, has partnered with the city to host an event in Roxbury that will go over the rights of all women and domestic workers living and working in the city. You’ll not only learn what your rights on the job are, but also how to exercise them. Registration for this event is required. March 18 at 5 p.m.; 2300 Washington St., Boston

Young Bostonians: Find your next job at the city’s Youth Job and Resource Fair

Boston’s youngest workers are invited to the 2024 Youth Job Fair to connect with over 150 employers, learn more about youth development services, and have a bit of fun too. In addition to the job opportunities and career development workshops, there will be “free food, live performances, raffles, giveaways, games, and more” at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury. Do you want to support by volunteering your time to this event? Check out the volunteering section of this month’s Community Bulletin Board to learn more. March 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1350 Tremont St., Boston

Volunteering

Edit Wikipedia articles of historical queer women in New England

Celebrate Women’s History Month and amplify the stories of remarkable queer women who have shaped the history of New England by helping to edit Wikipedia articles at the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Public Library. In partnership with The History Project, a nonprofit organization preserving the history of New England’s LGBTQ communities, the library is asking for help to enhance the digital presence of historical queer women by editing articles on Wikipedia. Volunteers are welcome regardless of their editing experience, and are asked to bring their own laptop or tablet. Registration is required for this event. March 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 30 South St., Boston

Clean up Joe Moakley Park in South Boston

Join Boston Harbor Now, an organization working to re-establish Boston as one of the world’s truly great coastal cities, and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at Moakley Park in South Boston to clean up one of the city’s biggest waterfront parks. All necessary tools, including gloves, pickers, bags, sharps containers, and safety instructions will be provided. Clean up events take place the third or fourth Saturday of each month from March through September (except May). March 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Moakley Park Field House, ​​450 Old Colony Ave., Boston

Create resource kits for students in under-resourced schools

City Year AmeriCorps members serve as student success coaches in 18 public schools in Boston and Everett to support the development, growth and success of students in systemically under-resourced schools. The organization is looking for volunteers for their Spring Into Service Event in their Back Bay headquarters to help make resource kits for students and their school communities. Registration is required by March 22. March 28 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.; City Year Headquarters, 287 Columbus Ave., Boston

Rake leaves and clean up debris in Christian Herter Park in Lower Allston

The Charles River Conservancy, an organization that works to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained network of natural urban places, is looking for volunteers and community members to spend a few hours cleaning up the Christian Herter Park along the Charles River in Allston. Please e-mail Sasha at [email protected] to register to volunteer. March 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1175 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston

Volunteer for Boston’s 2024 Youth Job and Resource Fair

The City of Boston Youth Job and Resource Fair aims to prepare Boston’s youth with workforce readiness skills. This event aims to engage young Bostonians with onsite summer workforce development opportunities, onsite job placement, career development workshops, connecting them to wrap around youth services, and more. Volunteers are needed for the fair, which will take place in Roxbury. March 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1350 Tremont St., Boston

Garden and enjoy fresh food at a community farm in East Boston

Eastie Farm in East Boston is a community-based non-profit organization that focuses on climate justice, food security, and community resilience through urban farming and education. Volunteers can participate in Eastie Farm’s Volunteer Work Parties, which are held on Tuesdays. At the work parties, volunteers can meet other volunteers, get their hands dirty, and enjoy fresh food at the 6 Chelsea Terrace Greenhouse, one of seven sites the farm operates around Boston. March 5 and 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 6 Chelsea Terrace, Boston

Become a volunteer stylist and help women find an interview appropriate outfit

Dress for Success Boston is an affiliate of the Worldwide Dress for Success organization, which now has over 140 affiliates in 24 countries. The organization provides each client with professional attire for job interviews in order to secure employment. As a volunteer stylist, you will help greet clients, walk them through the Dress for Success boutique in Allston, and help them find an interview outfit that fits well and presents a professional image. The boutique serves clients Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Various dates throughout March; 989 Commonwealth Ave., Boston

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