Once a year in mid-March, Massachusetts turns shades of green and the sound of bagpipes fill the air. And while St. Patrick’s Day is traditionally when Irish culture is celebrated, it doesn’t have to be March to embrace your inner Celtic.
Explore Boston and its surrounding neighborhoods as you experience nearly 300 years of Irish history on the Irish Heritage Trail. The tour begins at the Rose Kennedy Garden near the waterfront and ends at Fenway Park, which was built 100 years ago by Irish immigrant Charles E. Logue. In total, more than 70 Irish landmarks have been compiled throughout Massachusetts. The Boston Irish Tourism Association can help you.
There are a number of St. Patrick’s Day Parades.
Sponsored by the Allied War Veteran’s Council, the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the 2nd largest parade in the country. It is viewed in person by more than 600,000 people and aired on live TV. Held on March 18, the parade will go from West Broadway, looping through South Boston, ending at Dorchester Avenue.
South of Boston, held the Sunday after St. Patrick’s Day, the Town of Abington parade invites all – Irish or not – to celebrate its cultural history. The parade beings at 1 p.m. in Abington Center at what is appropriately titled St. Patrick’s Square.
See what the excitement is all about at one of the most anticipated events of the year on Cape Cod. Hear the sounds of the Celtic from multiple marching bands and crowd favorites, the “Mummers.”
In Central Massachusetts Worcester County’s St. Patrick’s Parade takes place on Sunday, March 11, and starts at Park Avenue in Worcester.
The two-day Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade and Road Race in Western Massachusetts takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18.
Check out a complete list of Irish-inspired events and attractions that celebrate Irish culture at Massachusetts Vacation
For more information about top events in Massachusetts take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Massachusetts.