How to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Around Massachusetts

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

There’s nothing quite like St. Patrick’s Day in Massachusetts. Right in the middle of Irish Heritage Month, people gather across the state to march in parades, eat some great food, and celebrate Irish history, legacy, and lore.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Massachusetts

The legendary South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 16, 2025, starting at 11:30 a.m. Since 1737, Bostonians have come together in Southie to celebrate both Irish heritage, and, since 1776, Evacuation Day, which marks the date British Troops were ousted from Boston. Expect bagpipes, floats, marching bands, and festive, fun crowds. Arrive early to claim your spot – the parade is extremely popular, and the route gets crowded in some areas. You can take the MBTA Red Line to Broadway and Andrew to avoid parking headaches.

Though the Southie parade is popular on the eastern side of the state, the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade is among the largest in the country. The weekend kicks off on Saturday, March 22, with the sellout Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day 10K Road Race, celebrating it’s 48^th year in 2025. This year’s parade takes place on Sunday, March 23, at 11 a.m. and weaves through close to three miles of Holyoke’s neighborhoods.

In addition to these two parades, spectators can also enjoy:

– March 8: Cape Cod’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 11 a.m.

– March 16: Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade, noon

– March 16: Scituate’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade along the ‘Irish Riviera’, 1 p.m.

– March 16: Abington St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 1 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Day Concerts and Shows

If you like performing arts, the Irish Tenors at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on March 8. In Rockport at the Shalin Liu Center, enjoy Danu, one of Ireland’s most treasured folk bands, on March 8. At the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, you can participate in an Irish Seisiun on March 9. The High Kings and Mary Black perform at the Chevalier Theater in Medford on March 15. Finally, Dropkick Murphys stop by the MGM Music Hall Fenway in Boston on March 15 and 16 for their legendary annual St. Patrick’s Day shows.

Irish History in Massachusetts

History lovers can check out the Irish Heritage Trail in Boston, which is made up of dozens of landmarks in various neighborhoods throughout the city documenting over 300 years of Irish American history. The South Shore Irish Heritage Trail covers the history and experience of Irish immigrants in 9 towns from Weymouth to Plymouth.

Old Sturbridge Village’s annual Celtic Celebration will take place the weekend of March 15 and 16, with performances from Celtic musicians, live poetry and stories, step dancing, and more included with regular admission. The Irish Cultural Center of Boston has special events throughout March – including a St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast and Lunch on the 15^th and a Sunday Celebration on the 16^th. Similarly, the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England honors St. Patrick’s Day throughout March.

Irish Pubs and Restaurants

There’s no shortage of Irish pubs in Massachusetts, but if you want something really special be sure to stop by The Black Rose in Boston, which regularly hosts live Irish music. The Harp in Boston and Patriots Place in Foxborough celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with food and drink specials, live music, step dancers, and more. In Somerville, The Burren hosts live music throughout the month. The L Street Tavern in South Boston was famously featured in Good Will Hunting, and JJ Foley’s Cafe in the South End might be the oldest Irish Pub in Boston.

Don’t miss out on some post-St. Patrick’s Day fun with The Healy’s – a legendary Western Massachusetts duo, who will be providing the musical entertainment to match the whiskey tasting and corned beef sandwiches at Springfield’s John Boyle O’Reilly Club on March 21.

Other notable pubs include:

– O’Connor’s Restaurant and Bar, Worcester

– Olde Main Street Pub, Salem

– Napper Tandy’s, Norwood

– Kitty Murtagh’s, Nantucket

Stay tuned to our Events Calendar for more St. Patrick’s Day fun, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of everything happening across Massachusetts.

If you are a business that has St. Patrick’s Day events, we encourage you to add free business and event listings to the VisitMA.com website for your opportunity to be highlighted.

TOPICS: Abington, Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, Holidays, Holyoke, Nantucket, Norwood, Salem, Scituate, Somerville, South Boston, South End, Springfield, St. Patrick's Day, Worcester