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How to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston
Discover some of the city’s favorite ways to paint the town green this St. Pat’s Day.
Dubbed one of the best cities in the country to visit for St. Patrick’s Day, Boston has no shortage of ways to celebrate the holiday. And it’s no surprise, really, that the city’s known for celebrating the patron saint of Ireland — Massachusetts has one of the highest Irish-American populations in the States. Read on for some of the best ways to celebrate St. Pat’s Day in Boston, from the annual concerts by that famous Quincy band to the Southie 5K to the best pubs to grab a pint at.
Visit an Irish pub
Needless to say, Boston has no small number of Irish pubs. Deciding on one is harder than finding one in the first place, so check out what Boston.com readers have to say about their favorite Irish pubs in the area. Some tried-and-true favorites include J.J. Foley’s Cafe, Brendan Behan Pub, the Druid, and the Burren.
Dine Out Boston
March 10 – 23
While the annual restaurant initiative doesn’t have anything official to do with the holiday, Dine Out Boston’s middle weekend conveniently falls on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Formerly known as Restaurant Week, the initiative brings prix fixe menus at approachable price points to tons of Boston’s most popular restaurants, making it a great excuse to check a few more restaurants off your must-try list.
Catch the Dropkick Murphys performing on Lansdowne
March 14 – 17
Back for their annual string of St. Patrick’s Day shows in Boston, the Dropkick Murphys play at the House of Blues on March 14 and at the MGM Music Hall on March 15 through 17. The Celtic-punk band hails from Quincy, and their live shows (and their music more generally) have become a cornerstone of the Boston St. Patrick’s Day experience.
See the St. Patrick’s Day Variety Dinner Show at the Burren
March 15 – 17
The Burren in Davis Square hosts Irish music sessions regularly. But this March 15 through 17, they’re celebrating the holiday with a St. Patrick’s Irish variety show in the Backroom. Irish musicians and owners of the Burren, Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello, helm the show of traditional music, stories, and dancing. Tickets to the show also include a dinner of corned beef and cabbage or beef stew, followed by the Burren’s shamrock cake.
Head out on the Get Lucky pub crawl
March 16
The Saturday before St. Pat’s Day will see the 10th annual Get Lucky pub crawl. The city’s major St. Patrick’s Day crawl, the event features exclusive access to dozens of bars around town from noon to 6 p.m. Venues span neighborhoods from Seaport to Faneuil Hall to Fenway, including spots like the Harp, Ned Devine’s, Big Night Live, and Royale. Tickets start at $15 per person, and the crawl will have two shuttle bus routes driving between venues all afternoon.
Run the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Road Race
March 17
Since 1940, the South Boston Boys & Girls Club has hosted their annual road race on the same day as the neighborhood’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. This year’s race starts at 11 a.m., beginning and ending at the club’s W Sixth Street location. The first 500 folks to register for the race receive a free t-shirt, designed, once again, by the Dropkick Murphys, one of the race’s sponsors. All proceeds from the race benefit the teen programs at the club.
Head to the Southie St. Patrick’s Day parade
March 17
Typically held on the Sunday closest to St. Patrick’s Day, the annual South Boston parade lands on the holiday itself this year. Put on by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, the parade starts at 1 p.m. from the Broadway T station, heading all the way down Broadway and returning to the Andrew T stop. Expect huge crowds — the celebration has drawn up to a million visitors in past years.
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