St. Patrick’s Day is almost here, and many Massachusetts residents are getting ready to celebrate at the biggest evet in the state – the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Presented by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, the Southie parade full of colorful floats, marching bands, bagpipes and dancing celebrates not only St. Patrick’s Day, but also Evacuation Day, when the British left Boston during the Revolutionary War.
Boston’s 2025 St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Sunday, March 16 at 11:30 a.m., and this year, law enforcement is preparing to crack down on disorderly conduct in the massive crowds.
Here’s what to know about the parade’s schedule, route and rules before you attend.
What time does the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade start?
This year, the parade will start at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 16.
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While the Southie St. Patrick’s parade typically starts at 1 p.m., state officials moved this year’s start time earlier in hopes of containing the usually rowdy crowd.
Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade Route
Boston’s parade begins at the Broadway T station and ends at Andrew Square. Here’s the full route:
- Start at Broadway station
- Walk up West Broadway
- Continue onto East Broadway
- Right on P Street
- Right on E. 4th Street
- Left on K St.
- Right on E. 5th Street
- Left on G Street
- Stay to left of South Boston High School onto Thomas Park
- Left on Telegraph Street
- Left on Dorchester Street
- End in Andrew Square
Broadway, especially between Broadway Station and L Street, is the best place for viewing.
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How to get to the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Driving to the parade is discouraged due to road closures and parking bans near the parade route.
Instead, public transportation is encouraged, and luckily, the MBTA is offering extended transportation, including additional cars on the commuter rail and free shuttle buses from South Station to South Boston from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. A full guide to MBTA service for the parade can be found here.
Be sure to plan plenty of time to get a good spot before the procession starts – Boston’s parade has drawn crowds of one million people in past years.
MBTA St. Patrick’s Day guide: What to know about service changes for Boston parade Sunday
Boston heightens rules for St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This year, Boston officials will be cracking down on disorderly conduct at the parade, according to a letter from Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn. After last year’s parade, Flynn called for major changes to the annual event, writing on Facebook that the “anything goes attitude” of parade spectators was unacceptable.
Some of the changes being implemented at this year’s parade are the use of a specialized task force, heightened law enforcement presence and an overall no tolerance policy for “public drinking, any form of violence, fighting and destruction of property and other quality of life issues,” according to Facebook.
A full list of parade guidelines can be found on the City Councilor’s Facebook account.
