Image credit: lawnstarter.com
Boston is America’s city with the highest percentage of Irish residents, according to Lawn Starter. Over 20% of Boston’s residents are Irish or descendants of the Irish. The city’s historic status as one of the foundational places where the United States of America was born has a lot to do with this, and over the first several centuries of the U.S’ existence, plenty of Irish immigrants headed to Boston. This has played an important role in shaping the city as we know it today, and the Irish heritage is a core part of Boston’s identity. It also contributes to making Boston one of the premier destinations in the United States for St. Patrick’s Day.
Image credit: South Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade (Faceboook page)
While New York City has massive parades and events, and Chicago dies the waters of Lake Michigan a bright green, nowhere in the country can match the energy and the fervor of St. Patrick’s Day in Boston. From the Boston Celtics to the numerous Irish pubs that line the streets of Boston, the Irish culture of the city is celebrated every day of the year. But on no day is it more apparent than St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17th.
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St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, and it is a massive day of celebrating Ireland or just celebrating in general. It is typically a day that draws huge parades, brings flocks of people to taverns for Irish pints and whiskey, or just a day to flat out party. People take to the streets wearing their most green outfits and enjoy a wild, festive atmosphere. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival, and Boston has one of the best celebrations outside of Ireland itself.
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There are many different ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston. If you don’t like crowds of raucous strangers, St. Patrick’s Day might not be your favorite day of the year. But if you want to go out, enjoy a festive and friendly atmosphere with great food and drink, you’ll find plenty to do on March 17th. Boston has numerous different celebrations going on throughout the day that are great for all tastes.
Image credit: South Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade (Faceboook page)
One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day events will be the performance by the Dropkick Murphys at the House of Blues near Fenway Park. The Dropkick Murphys are a classic Boston band whose style is known as Celtic Punk. Their music has a deep Irish flavor, and their St. Patrick’s Day concerts are legendary. While I’m Shipping Up to Boston may be their best-known song, they’ll be playing various other hits at their show, which is set to be extremely high-energy, raucous, and fun.
If rock music isn’t your taste and you want a more family-friendly option, there’s always the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This event takes place the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day and draws up to a million spectators for a fun and festive event. There are colorful floats, live music, and excitable crowds. It is one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country. St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Boston can trace their history to the 18th century, so it is also a time-honored tradition.
Image credit: South Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade (Faceboook page)
If you want a more authentic Irish experience, check out the many different pubs and taverns around Boston. Numerous different Irish pubs in the city will serve Guinness’s pints and have live performances throughout the day. You can hear Irish music, watch traditional Irish dancers, eat traditional Irish meals, and enjoy a smaller but more authentic celebration that provides a great experience.
The options for activities are endless. The city of Boston comes alive during St. Patrick’s Day. Many residents take walks around the Irish Heritage Trail, which features monuments and buildings dedicated to the city’s Irish connection. The Irish Film Festival takes place around St. Patrick’s Day. Numerous restaurants and bars have dedicated events that make the day a complete blast.
Image credit: lawnstarter.com
St. Patrick’s Day is a day for festivity, letting loose, and celebrating Irish culture. In Boston, where a large percentage of the city can trace their heritage back to Ireland, this day takes on a greater than average importance. With huge events, from concerts to parades across the city, St. Patrick’s Day in Boston is not to be missed.
