Boston is the city to visit for St. Patrick’s Day, blending rich heritage with vibrant celebrations. Learn the history of St. Patrick’s Day in Boston and the accompanying Irish celebrations. From historic parades to lively pubs and cultural landmarks, the city comes alive with Irish pride each March.
Why Boston is the Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Destination
Did you know that the first-ever St. Patrick’s Day celebration in colonial America took place in Boston? Almost 300 years ago, Irish immigrants in Boston gathered to honor Ireland’s patron saint. Today, St. Patrick’s Day in Boston is more than just a holiday. A citywide celebration of Irish heritage, complete with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, live music, historic traditions, and plenty of beer and green attire make it a must-do event.
As we gear up for Massachusetts St. Patrick’s Day festivities, let’s take a look back at how Boston became the epicenter of Irish American culture and why this holiday is so deeply woven into the city’s identity.
The First St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Massachusetts
The history of St. Patrick’s Day in Boston began in Massachusetts’ capital city on March 17,1737, when the newly founded Charitable Irish Society hosted a St. Patrick’s Day dinner. This religious feast honored St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. This event allowed Irish immigrants, who at the time were the largest growing ethnicity in Boston, a way for them to express their cultural pride in a city where they often faced discrimination. The religious feast soon grew into larger festivities, eventually including a parade in the downtown area. In 1901, the parade was moved from downtown to South Boston, the most predominantly Irish neighborhood in Boston.
Dorchester Heights & Evacuation Day: A Symbol of Irish-American Pride
South Boston is also home to Dorchester Heights, where British troops were forced to evacuate Boston in 1776. This victory was a key point in the American Revolution, proving that the colonists could fight back against British rule. Irish immigrants and Dorchester Heights go together like a Red Sox game and Fenway franks – you can’t have one without the other. Irish immigrants played a significant role in fortifying Dorchester Heights, with George Washington even using the code “St. Patrick” during operations.
In 1901, Boston dedicated March 17th as Evacuation Day, which celebrates the day General George Washington gave the orders to fortify Dorchester Heights. The Irish fully embraced the holiday, as it symbolized their heritage, cultural pride, and American patriotism. Read more about Dorchester Heights, British troops in Boston, and the American Revolution in our blog post The Battle of Lexington & Concord: Exploring the birthplace of the American Revolution 250 years later.
From small banquets and gatherings to a parade in the downtown area, the modest gatherings honoring the Irish patron saint and Evacuation Day continued to grow. The celebrations transformed into an annual tradition which became one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the world.
The Significance of the Shamrock & the color Green
It is said that St. Patrick used a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, and that Irish churchgoers would pick a shamrock and pin it on their hat to honor the saint while at church. Similarly, people would wear green to highlight their Irish heritage. Ireland is known as the ‘Emerald Isle’, green is the color of the shamrock, and in 1798 green was the choice of color to symbolize Irish Nationalism. Wearing green was a political statement, showing support for Ireland’s independence from Britain.
Boston’s Irish Immigration Boom
Beginning in colonial times, Irish immigrants came to the New World for a fresh start. As early as 1630, Irish fishermen engaged in trade with the colonies, and in the coming decades many set up seasonal homes in the Isles of Shoals.
By 1650, Irish immigrants looking for a new start, political freedom, and greater economic opportunity arrived. The Irish brought their traditions with them and despite facing discrimination, many continued to practice their Catholic and Protestant religions. In 1718, at invitation from Puritan leaders of Massachusetts, 5 ships of Scot-Irish immigrants arrived. Even with the invitation from leaders, these immigrants did not necessarily feel welcome by everyone. However, when the American Revolution began, many Irish immigrants strongly supported independence for the colonies from Britain and played significant roles in helping to win the war.
The Great Potato Famine
During the Great Potato Famine (1845-1852), driven by hunger and whispers of economic promise, Irish immigration surged. By 1850, Irish immigrants made up 26% of Boston’s population. By the end of the century, Boston had one of the highest concentrations of Irish immigrants in the U.S. Many of which settled in neighborhoods like South Boston (“Southie”).
Many of these Irish newcomers worked as factory workers, dockworkers, construction workers and domestic servants. Male domestic servants were referred to as “Paddys”, while female domestic servants were referred to as “Bridgets” or “Biddys”. Others turned to selling alcohol, and by 1851, Irish immigrants were running 900 of Boston’s 1500 liquor stores.
The large influx of Irish immigrants had city leaders worried about overcrowding; they didn’t want higher-tax paying citizens to move out of the city due to the increasing density of the population. So they decided to expand the city’s footprint. Back Bay and South Cove (now Chinatown), Charlestown and East Boston were all developed with the help of Irish laborers.
While Irish immigrants may have had a mixed welcome when they first arrived, they have become an inherent part of Boston’s history and society as a whole. Today, almost 23% of Boston’s population claims Irish descent. Over time, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a citywide celebration, blending Irish heritage and Boston’s deeply rooted history.
Why Do We Drink Beer on St. Patrick’s Day?
Beer has become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, but do you know why? Originally, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were a religious fest that fell during Lent, when Christians abstain from meat and alcohol. However, an exception was made for the holiday, allowing the Irish to enjoy food and drink in celebration. The tradition continued in the U.S. and American breweries helped cement the beer’s role in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The tradition of drinking green beer started in America as a fun, festive twist, and today, raising a pint has become a way to toast to Irish pride.
Why St. Patrick’s Day in Massachusetts is So Special
Massachusetts St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are fueled by both Irish pride and American patriotism. This overwhelming pride in both countries and outward declaration of a hybrid identity are key to the growth of the holiday. The holiday grew as more Americans, regardless of Irish heritage, related to the idea of celebrating both their ancestral homeland and their new country.
From Boston’s first-ever celebrations in honor of St. Patrick to global festivities today, Massachusetts played a crucial role in shaping and helping to grow the holiday, making it the best state to experience Irish culture in March.
St. Patrick’s Day in Boston: Parades, Pubs & More
Today, St. Patrick’s Day in Boston is a must-experience event, featuring:
– Famous South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- First held in South Boston in 1901, this parade is one of the largest in the U.S.
- A celebration of the history of St. Patrick’s Day in Boston and Irish heritage, military service and the commemoration of Evacuation Day.
- Features marching bands, Irish dancers, community groups, and festive floats.
- Takes place on the Sunday closest to the 17th; in South Boston, in the heart of the city’s Irish-American community.
– Irish Pubs & Live Music
- Visit one of Boston’s legendary Irish pubs: The Black Rose, The Burren, The Druid, The Dubliner, or Emmets Irish Pub.
- Enjoy a perfectly poured pint alongside Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage, fish & chips or shepherd’s pie.
- Catch live music several nights a week at these pubs.
– See Boston’s most famous Celtic rock group, the Dropkick Murphys.
- The band returns home on the weekend closest to the holiday to perform their annual St. Patrick’s Day concert.
– St. Patrick’s Day Road Race
- Established in 1940, this annual 5K in South Boston takes place each year on the same Sunday at the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
- Proceeds benefit teen programs at the South Boston Boys & Girls Club.
- An energizing and fun way to kickstart the holiday before enjoying the parade!
– Historic Walking Tour
- Explore over 300 years of history along the Irish Heritage Trail to learn about Boston’s Irish-American history.
- See the Boston Irish Famine Memorial, Kevin White statue, Granary Burying Ground, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and more.
- Visit the sites and historic neighborhoods that shaped Boston’s Irish-American identity.
More of the Best St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Massachusetts
– Raise an Irish Stout & Tour a Brewery in Canton, MA
- Take a day trip from Boston to visit the flagship Trillium Brewing Company location for a VIP Behind-the-Scenes Tour into Trillium’s Brewery and Distillery.
- Enjoy a guided tasting of 8 different beers and spirits.
- No need to drive – when you book your visit with Keolis massAdventures, we take care of all of the round-trip transportation from Boston
– St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scituate, MA
- Established in 1994 as a small neighborhood celebration.
- This parade has grown five times its original parade route and is now the largest one south of Boston.
- Held on the third Sunday of the month.
- This parade has grown five times its original parade route and is now the largest one south of Boston.
- Other celebrations include: Mad Hatters Ball, Annual Mayor’s Race and St. Pat’s Plunge, with each event benefiting a local charity.
- Known as the most Irish town in the U.S. with almost 50% of resident’s claiming to be of Irish descent.
– Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston in Canton, MA
- Enjoy traditional Irish music & dance, authentic food & drink, sporting events and more at various events throughout March.
- Founded in 1989 to celebrate, preserve & promote Irish culture and heritage in the Greater Boston Area. It is one of the largest in the United States.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Massachusetts Like a Local
Ready to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Boston for yourself? Whether you’re watching the parade, sipping on a pint at an Irish pub, or exploring the city’s rich history, Boston is undoubtedly the place to be. Don’t miss out – plan your St. Patrick’s Day festivities now to celebrate like a local and book your weekend adventure from Boston today!
