Celebrate the Hub’s Hibernian spirit on and around St. Patrick’s Day weekend
A Celtic Soiree: Get a jump on the holiday at West Newton’s Allen Center, which hosts this afternoon of both traditional and updated Celtic music on March 9 at 3 p.m. as part of Cherry Street Music’s Americana Series. The show features Boston-based duo Matt and Shannon Heaton along with special guests.
South Street Diner St. Patrick’s Day Festivities: The iconic all-day, all-night eatery on the edge of Chinatown begins its yearly recognition of St. Paddy on March 13, offering corned beef specialties, emerald-tinged cocktails and (sure, why not?) green beer through March 17. The morning of St. Patrick’s Day from 8–11 a.m., gather to toast first responders as they convene on the landmark diner prior to the big parade in South Boston (see below).
Dropkick Murphys: Boston’s Irish punk legends conclude their 2024 St. Patrick’s Day tour in their home town with several appearances in the Fenway, beginning with one at the House of Blues on March 14 and followed by shows at the nearby MGM Music Hall March 15–17, all with special guests Pennywise. The March 16 show is preceded by an intimate mini-concert at 2 p.m. to benefit the band’s charitable foundation, the Claddagh Fund, which is dedicated to helping children, veterans and addiction recovery. This family-friendly get-together offers free admission to kids under 10 accompanied by a paying adult.
Irish Cultural Centre’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations: Head to Canton just to the south of this city for the Irish Cultural Center’s annual array of events honoring Ireland’s patron saint. Highlights include the family St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 16 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., which features live music, Irish dancing and fun activities like arts and crafts and face painting. On March 17, come back for an all-day-long St. Paddy’s party with more music and dance performances along with plenty of Irish beer and food.
South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade (pictured): Held annually on the Sunday closest to holiday, this grand Irish extravaganza takes place this year, as luck would have it, on March 17. Beginning around 1 p.m. near the Broadway stop on the MBTA’s Red Line and winding its way through the area before concluding at the Red Line’s Andrew station, the raucous march through the Hub’s most Irish of neighborhoods attracts tens of thousands of revelers who witness marching bands, colorful floats and more. While there’s no shortage of bar and restaurant options along the route to (ahem) drink in the Irish spirit, one notable shindig along the parade route is the Southie Social at Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. This bash beginning at 11 a.m. promises a day filled with food, drink and music, all to benefit the Greg Hill Foundation, a charity dedicated to providing financial assistance to families touched by tragedy.
