St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Along the Commuter Rail

Boston is the place to be this St. Patrick’s Day! Crowds come from all around to visit South Boston, celebrating Irish culture for the special St. Patrick’s Day Parade. But did you know that there are other places in Massachusetts where the luck of the Irish runs strong? The South Shore bears the nickname “The Irish Riviera,” as nearly 40% of the population is comprised of Irish descendants. 

Whether you’re interested in attending Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, want to venture to the South Shore and explore the most Irish Town in America, or are looking to find a hidden gem, take the Commuter Rail and discover parades happening St. Patrick’s Day weekend throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

South Boston

As one of the most popular celebrations throughout the country, the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade attracts over one million people each year. South Boston is an important area, not just for its robust Irish Community but also for Dorchester Heights, the site where the British Troops finally decided to evacuate from Boston in 1776. This year, the parade takes place on March 16, 2025, at 11:30 am. 

Parade Route

The parade begins at Broadway Station and travels towards East Broadway, P Street, East Fourth Street, East Fifth Street, East Sixth Street, G Street, Thomas Park, Telegraph Street, and Dorchester Street, and ends at Andrew Square. 

Service

Commuter Rail trains will run with additional cars to accommodate parade attendees. Five lines will also run on special schedules for parade day:

• Fairmount Line special schedule (PDF, 1.7 MB)
• Framingham/Worcester Line special schedule (PDF, 1.3 MB)
• Franklin/Foxboro Line special schedule (PDF, 723 KB)
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line special schedule (PDF, 1.2 MB)
• Needham Line special schedule (PDF, 1.1 MB)

Bikes will not be allowed on board the Commuter Rail.

How to Get to the Parade

You can walk around 1 mile from South Station to Broadway Station, where the parade begins. Another option includes taking the Red Line from South Station outbound toward Ashmont and getting off at Broadway Station (where the parade begins) or Andrew Station (where the parade ends). There will also be free shuttles, running from 9:30 am to 5 pm, taking people from South Station to the parade in South Boston. For those coming from North Station, you can take the E Green Line inbound towards Heath Street, get off at Park Street, take the Red Line outbound towards Braintree, and then get off at Broadway or Andrew Station. 

Note: When taking the train home after the parade, there will be a queue outside South Station to help with crowd control. Riders will line up by their Commuter Rail line.

Scituate

If you live on the South Shore or are looking to visit, check out the Scituate St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16, 2025, starting at 1 pm. Known as the most Irish town in America, the parade had its beginnings in 1995 and has evolved from a smaller local parade to a large commemorative celebration. 

Parade Route

The parade begins at the Veterans Memorial Gym at 327 Parish Road, heading down towards First Parish Road, traveling through Front Street, Scituate Harbor, and Beaver Dam Road, and then ends at Jericho Road.

How to Get to the Parade

The closest station to the parade is the North Scituate Station on the Greenbush Line. While the station is too far of a walk, you can take a rideshare from the station to 327 Parish Road. You can also take a rideshare to Veterans Memorial Gym or Windows Walk Golf Course, where shuttle buses will take you to and from the parade. 

Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, also hosts their own St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and this year, the celebration takes place on March 8, 2025. The city’s first public St. Patrick’s Day Parade happened in 1852, inspired by Boston’s celebrations.

Parade Route

The parade begins at Smith Street and Hilltop Avenue, then proceeds onwards along Smith Street, and ends at the Rhode Island State House. 

How to Get to the Parade

We recommend that you take a rideshare from Providence Station to Smith Street, where the parade begins. 

Worcester

The city of Worcester has its own St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with its roots dating back to 1983. They are another area in Massachusetts known for its large Irish population, and the parade is meant to celebrate that heritage. The parade will take place on March 16, 2025, at noon. 

Parade Route

The parade begins at Webster Square and ends near Park Avenue and Highland Street. 

How to Get to the Parade

You can either walk 1.3 miles from Worcester Station or take a rideshare to Webster Square. 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the Commuter Rail!