Boston Events for March 2021

The Boston Events Calendar for March 2021 is packed with exciting events:  the huge St Patrick's Day Parade, Boston Flower and Garden Show, Dine Out Boston, and fantastic shows in the Theatre District including Fiddler on the Roof, Jersey Boys, and Riverdance and much, much more!

Plus (depending on the status of the pandemic) thrilling concerts by top performers.

Please note:  Some-to-many activities may be canceled or modified due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - so please check carefully for updates.

March Holidays & Important Dates in Boston:

• March 5 - Boston Massacre took place in 1770 (reenacted this year on March 7)
• March 8 - Daylight Savings Time begins (set your clocks 1 hour forward)
• March 17 - St Patrick's Day - and also Evacuation Day, when the Seige of Boston by the British ended in 1776 (official Boston holiday) 
• March 21 - Whale Watching Cruises begin for the season

So take a look at the event calendar for March, make your hotel reservations, and come enjoy Boston in March!

You can expect to feel the first hints of spring - and perhaps enjoy the return of warm weather.

Check out all our top recommendations for fun things to do in Boston in March - and start planning your visit now!

Top Photo:  St Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston

St Patrick's Day Parade 2021 - TBD

Please note:  Whether or not the parade will take place this year is still TBD, depending on the state of the pandemic.

Boston's famous St Patrick's Day Parade takes place in South Boston ("Southie"), and starts at the Broadway T station on the Red Line.  

Don't forget to wear green and bring a camera!

When:  Sunday, March 14, 1pm (if it takes place)
Closest T station: Red Line/Broadway

More about the St Patrick's Day Parade route plus tips for getting there

More about other St Patrick's Day events

See our recommendations for the most convenient places to stay - especially if you're also catching the Dropkick Murphy's concert

Boston Massacre Reenactment - TBD for 2021

March 5 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, an explosion of tension between Boston Colonists and the occupying British troops in 1770 that ended with five dead Bostonians and set the stage for the American Revolution five years later. 

The annual reenactment takes place this year during a day-long event on Saturday, March 7.  From 1pm-5pm, look for costumed reenactors portraying a variety of citizens from 1770 Boston who will share their experiences with British troops who landed in the city in October 1768 and stayed on as no-so-welcome "guests."  These historical vignettes will take place between in the areas along the Freedom Trail between the Old State House (206 Washington Street) and Old South Meeting House (310 Washington Street).

The Boston Massacre reenactment will take place near the Old State House at about 7pm.  For more information, see the event website.

Find out more about what really happened at the Boston Massacre & where to find the memorial

Dropkick Murphys St Patrick's Day Concerts in Boston! - RESCHEDULED

See Boston's favorite Celtic punk rock group, the Dropkick Murphys play their iconic favorites at House of Blues, Big Night Live, and Encore Boston Harborto celebrate St Patrick's Day in their home town.  

Their Boston shows usually sell out far in advance - maybe because their "Shipping Up To Boston" song is practically the city's official anthem.

Get your Dropkick Murphys tickets now!!!

TicketNetwork Discount Code - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

St Patrick's Day Weekend Boston Harbor Cruises

• St Patrick's DayLive Irish Music Cruise - March 16 & 17 - Enjoy the gorgeous Boston skyline and "craic agus ceoil" - fun and music-while you cruise around Boston Harbor and listen to lively Irish traditional tunes from the visiting Irish band Curragh - with fiddles, banjos, uilleann pipes, concertinas, and bouzoukis, you'll think you're in a cozy pub in the Emerald Isle - especially as you savor the Irish libations at the bar
• St Patrick's Lunch 'n Brews Cruise with Live Irish Music - March 16 & 17 - Sip some Guinness, Irish Whiskey, or Irish Coffee along with a lavish spread of special Irish foods as you enjoy traditional Irish music played by Curragh, the Northern Light's visiting Irish band, on this sightseeing cruise around the harbor
• St Pat's Brunch Cruise with Live Irish Music - March 16 & 17 - A mouth-watering 3-course traditional Irish breakfast (for example, Irish bacon rashers, black pudding, and Irish sausages) and festive Irish coffee,, special Irish drinks, and beers available at the bar set the tone as you listen to live Irish music by Curragh and take in sights around the Boston Harbor Islands

Other Popular Cruises on the Northern Lights during March:

• Live Irish Music Cruise on the Northern Lights - Through March 27
• Northern Lights Champagne City Lights Cruise
• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise
• Sunday Evening Jazz Cruise On Northern Lights
• Boston Live Jazz Cruise on Northern Lights

Boston Concerts & Shows - March 2021

Top March Concerts in Boston

• The Chieftains - Mar 13 - Boston Symphony Hall
• Dropkick Murphys - Rescheduled for Sept & Nov - hold onto your tickets and they'll be honored on the new dates
• Dead Kennedys - Mar 14 - Big Night Live
• Billie Eilish - Mar 19 - TD Garden
• Styx - Mar 24 - Big Night Live
• Michael Buble - Mar 25 - TD Garden

Schedules & Tickets:

TicketNetwork Discount Code - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

More concerts coming soon

Boston Whale Watching Season 2021 Begins!

Boston whale watching cruises start on March 20.  UPDATE - Cruise start date is TBD

These 3-4 hours excursions take you through Boston Harbor and out to Stellwagen Bank, a protected marine area about 25 miles east of the city.  Marine biologists or naturalists serve as guides to make sure you don't miss a thing.

Be sure to bring your camera!  

Get your whale watch tickets and reservations

More about Boston whale watching cruises

Boston Theater & Shows for March 2021

Top March Shows in Boston

• My Fair Lady - Boston Opera House - March 30 - April 11

Schedules & Tickets

TicketNetwork Discount Code - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

More Boston Theater District Shows

Where to have dinner in Boston's Theatre District

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Top Hotels near Boston's Theatre District

Enjoy your Boston performance or show experience to the fullest when you stay in one of the nearby Theatre District hotels, such as the luxurious Hyatt Regency:

More top Theatre District hotels:

• Nine Zero
• Doubletree Boston Hotel
• Revere Boston Hotel

Check out more hotels in Boston's Theatre District

Boston Flower and Garden Show - TBD for 2021

Dream about spring as you gaze at the lush gardens and gorgeous floral displays at the Boston Flower and Garden Show at the Seaport World Trade Center.  This year's special theme is "Garden Party: Celebrating Friends & Family," and you'll find lots of inspiration and tips about making the right garden size and plant type choices -plus numerous display gardens for inspiration.

The weather outside may not be balmy, but all the displays of horticultural tools and products, garden furniture and ornaments, and hand-made crafts will make warm temperatures seem a little bit closer.  

Where to stay nearby:

• Seaport Hotel - Right across the street from the World Trade Center  
• Westin Boston Waterfront - About 2 blocks away, next to the Boston Expo and Convention Center
• More South Boston Waterfront hotels near the Flower Show

When:  March 11 - 15 (10am-7pm on March 11-12; 10am-9pm on March 13-14; 10am-6pm on March 15)
Where:   Seaport World Trade Center, South Boston Waterfront
Cost:  $22 Adults, $19 Seniors (65+), $12 Children 6 - 17; Children 5 and younger are free; Wed-Sat after 5pm $16
Where to eat nearby:  Seaport restaurants overlooking the Harbor

More about the Boston Flower and Garden Show

More Boston Flower & Garden Events

A St Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn 

If you're a fan of Brian O'Donovan's Celtic Sojourn program on Boston's WGBH radio or his Celtic Sojourn Christmas celebration, you'll want to be sure to get to his celebration of Irish and Celtic music, dance, and storytelling in A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge. 

When:  March 14, Sanders Theatre - 2 shows
Ticket information:  website

More St Patrick's Day events

St Patrick's Day 5K Race in Southie 2021 - TBD

Just a couple of hours before the big St Patrick's Day Parade starts on Sunday, March 15th, the St Patrick's Day 5K Road Race kicks off at 11am from the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys and Girls Club at 230 6th Street.

Head over to cheer on the 1,750 runners, who are carrying on a long tradition - this race first started back in 1940.  You can identify the first 650 entrants by their official long-sleeved race shirts designed by one of the race's most famous sponsors, the Dropkick Murphys, Celtic punk rock group with Southie origins who will again be playing their annual St Pat concerts in Boston this year. 

A live concert by Rad Youth Rock-Pop Band will take place before the race.

The route goes from West 6th Sth Street to Dorchester Street, down E. Broadway to Farragut Statue, back up E. Broadway to W. Broadway, and then down E Street to West 6th.

Sponsorship money and donations raised by the marathon racers goes to support South Boston youth programs.  More details and registration at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club website (click "Get Involved").  If you don't want to run but want to help, they're also looking for volunteers!

More St Patrick's Day events

Dine Out! Boston 2021 - TBD

When:  March 1-6, March 8-13
Where:  Top Boston restaurants - many choices in every neighborhood!
Cost: 
- Lunch: $15, $20, $25 
- Dinner: $28, $33, $38

Twice each year, you can enjoy fine dining at very affordable prices at the best Boston restaurants.  Sample the latest "hot" restaurants where normally you'd pay much more, visit old favorites, and explore a few places you've never tried before.   

Check for participating Dine Out Boston restaurants and other information.  And don't forget to check our tips for getting the most value out of Dine Out Week!

Bruins March Home Game Schedule at the Garden

Get your Boston Bruins tickets for March home games, and head over to TD Garden for some fast action on the ice.

The Garden's convenient location next to North Station and close to Faneuil Marketplace makes it super-easy to get to.

Don't miss the chance to see Boston's hockey team, winner of 6 Stanley Cup championships!

TicketNetwork Discount Code - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+

Find more Bruins tickets

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Hotels near TD Garden

Coming to an event at the Garden?  Spend the night or the weekend at a nearby hotels, such as the glamorous Onyx (shown in photo), part of the Kimpton hotel family:

More top hotels near the Garden:

• The Boxer
• Liberty Hotel
• Hotel Indigo Boston Garden

Check out more hotels near TD Garden

More about TD Garden:  Schedule, directions, best ticket prices

Celtics Basketball at TD Garden - March

You can cheer the Boston Celtics home games at TD Garden throughout March - so be sure to get your Celtics tickets, wear green, and go support our home team!

Tickets are affordable, TD Garden's central city location is super-easy to reach (just take the T to North Station), and plenty of neighborhood sports bars and clubs mean you can have a lot of fun before and after the game.

Find more Celtics tickets for March
More about TD Garden:  Schedule, directions, best ticket prices

Best Boston Harbor Cruises

• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Unwind on this popular after-work cruise as the sky changes brilliant colors and light music plays in the background.  Stop by the bar for a drink, watch the sights go by, and hear the USS Constitution's traditional sunset salute - Through Dec 4
• Cocoa & Carols Holiday Cruise - Sip hot chocolate and treats as you listen to jazzy holiday music on this festive cruise - Book now
• Holiday Brunch Cruise - See historic sights and panoramic views around Boston Harbor with friends and family as you enjoy this relaxing cruise with brunch, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer - Book now
• An Irish Christmas Carol Cruise - Get into the holiday spirit on the Northern Lights as you raise your glass and toast the holidays with festive holiday music playing in the background on this popular Harbor cruise - Book now
• New Year's Day Brunch Cruise - Welcome the New Year with a tasty hot 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing tour around Boston Harbor 
• Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift!

Plan Ahead for 2021:

• Adirondack III Day Sail - Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands - Starts May 7, 2021
• Adirondack III Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors during this calming sunset sailing experience - Starts May 7, 2021
• City Lights Champagne Cruise on Northern Lights - Unwind with a glass of champagne as you gaze at Boston's sparkling skyline as relaxing music plays softly in the background on this affordably-priced night cruise around the Harbor - Starts Feb 19
• Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience!  Drinks and small bites are available for purchase at the bar - Starts March 12

 

Fun Boston Tours & Adventures for March

Featured New Hotel for March:  Revolution Hotel in Boston's South End

40 Berkeley Street, Boston's South End

A trendy vibe, "micro" guest rooms, and - dare we say it, cheap rates position the new Revolution Hotel as one of Boston's most attractive affordable hotels, especially considering its close distance (5-10 minute walk, depending on where you're going) to Downtown Boston.  Free high-speed wifi is a nice bonus.

• Find & book lowest rates on TripAdvisor
• See more of Boston's newest hotels

What to See in Boston's Museums - March 2021

MFA Boston - Current & Up-Coming Shows

• Women Take the Floor - Female artists' visions & voices - Through May 3, 2021
• Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation - See the transition from urban street art to museum walls - Through May 16, 2021
• Black Histories, Black Futures - Teen curators take over - Through June 20, 2021
• Collecting Stories: The Invention of Folk Art - February 6 - January 9, 2022
• Paper Stories, Layered Dreams: The Art fo Ekua Holmes - Distinctive vision and commitment to Black imagery by a Roxbury artist/book illustrator - February 27 - Oct 17, 2021

Museum (and show) admission: $25 adults; free entrance with Boston Discount Cards (GoBoston card and Boston CityPASS).  Free admission on Wednesdays after 4pm, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lunar New Year Celebration Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, & Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston - Current & Future Shows

• i'm yours: Encounters with Art in Our Times - New acquisitions and iconic works - Through May 23, 2021
• Beyond Infinity: Contemporary Art after Kusama - Her pioneering ideas and artistic vision - Through July 18, 2021
• Eva LeWitt - Huge colorful hanging wall sculpture made from coated mesh fabric - Jan 16, 2021 - Oct 23, 2022

Admission: $15 adults; free entrance with GoBoston card and Boston CityPASS.  Closed on Mondays.  Free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, & Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Boston Underground Film Festival

When:  March 25-29
Where:  Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge
Closest T station: Red Line/Harvard
More information: website

The Boston Underground Film Festival screens independent, provocative, and experimental films and videos that deliberately push the envelope in style, content, and form.  

What can you expect to see?  An exciting mixture of experimental feature films, music videos, animations, documentaries, and shorts that celebrate and embrace the controversial, the confrontational, the political, and the alternative visions of their makers and their audiences.

If you're coming specifically for the festival, here are several hotels convenient to Harvard Square to consider:

• Harvard Square Hotel   Rates & Reviews
• Charles Hotel    Rates & Reviews
• Hotel Veritas   Rates & Reviews

Not Sure about Boston Neighborhood Locations?

This neighborhood map should help you get oriented. You can find a list of top attractions in each neighborhood here.

Need a more details?  Here are our favorite free and low-cost Boston maps.

2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston on Tours, Cruises, Admissions

Best way to save in Boston.  Save up to 50% when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more.   Compare to find out which one is best for you.

Boston's Irish Pubs:  More Places to Hear Irish Music

Boston has the best Irish pubs in the world, outside of Ireland - and almost as many to choose from.  Thanks to the large number of Boston residents who hail from the Emerald Isle, you'll hear plenty of Irish accents on both sides of the bar in many of these pubs. 

Needless to say, St. Patrick's Day is a huge event at Boston's Irish pubs . . . expect Irish music, dancing, green beer, and week-long celebrations.

Almost every Boston neighborhood has several or more Irish pubs - the Italian North End and Chinatown are the only 2 exceptions that come to mind. 

Although some of these pubs feature live Irish music at least some of the time, almost all of them bring in terrific musicians around St. Patrick's Day. 

Use our guide to Boston Irish pubs to find a spot to celebrate St. Patrick's Day - and be sure to wear green!

Museum of Science Exhibits - 2021

MOS at Home: 

Sounds of the Arctic - Hear marine mammals using hydrophone recordings from different Arctic locations to learn who swims there

Daily Live Stream - Museum educators share fun livestreamed presentations for the entire family

Permanent Exhibits (when the museum reopens)

With 29 fascinating permanent exhibits for all ages, there's always something to see, do, and learn.  Here are just a few of the most popular:  Butterfly Garden (extra fee), Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff, Cosmic Light, Dinosaurs, Hall of Human Life, Live Animal Care Center, Mathematica, Nanotechnology, Natural Mysteries, New England Habitats, The Light House - plus 17 more!

Where:   Boston's Museum of Science
When:   Daily, 9am-5pm; open until 9pm on Fridays; occasional special closings occur
Admission:  $29 general museum admission ($24 for kids).  Buy online to skip the line.  Get free museum admission when you have a GoBoston Discount card or Boston CityPASS card. 
Imax Theater and Planetarium:  Additional fees apply

Carousel Opening Day at the Greenway 

Ride a seal, whale, peregrine falcon, or one of the other hand-carved creatures inspired by Boston Harbor wildlife and the original Shawmut peninsula on the unique 34-seat carousel on the Rose Kennedy Greenway across from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. 

The carousel opens for the season on March 27 (to be confirmed for 2021).

After your ride, stroll over to Faneuil Market for a treat.

Closest T station: Blue Line/Aquarium
Cost:  $4/ride

More to do & see on the Greenway

Boston Irish Film Festival

Please note:  The Irish Film Festival is currently working to get the festival online, due to the ongoing pandemic.  Stay tuned for updates!

March is the month for all things Irish, and the 4-day Boston Irish Film Festival at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square will make you think you're back in the Emerald Isle. This year's fest features 30 Irish productions, with A Bump Along the Way directed by Shelly Love, The Last Right directed by Aoife Crehan, The Bird and the Whale by Carol Freeman, and 27 more films you may not see anywhere else in the US.

Films focus on Ireland and Irish culture, and what it means to be Irish in the 21st century.  More than 3,000 fans attend this popular film series.

Coming to Boston specifically for the Festival?  Here are three Cambridge hotels on the T's Red Line (1-2 stops from Davis Square, but also within easy walking distance) to consider:

• Porter Square Hotel - Rates & Reviews
• Charles Hotel    Rates & Reviews
• Harvard Square Hotel   Rates & Reviews

When:  March 19-22
Closest T stations: Red Line/Davis Square (Somerville Theatre)
Cost:  Tickets start at $15 and multi-film packages are available at a discount
Tickets & full schedule:  www.irishfilmfestival.com

First Fridays at MFA

Art, music, and a cash bar featuring signature cocktails, wine, and tapas provide the perfect setting for meeting up with friends and making new connections, relaxing, and enjoying the MFA's elegant ambiance.  Part social event, part opportunity to enjoy the Museum and the art within it.

When:  March 1, 6-9:30pm (and also the first Friday of most months)
Where:  Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston's Fenway neighborhood
Nearest T station:  Green Line/Museum
Cost:  Tickets required; get free ticket with museum admission ($25)
Must be:   21+
Boston Insider's Tip:  Arrive early to get your ticket - they do sell out for this event

Harpoon St Patrick's Festival - TBD

Harpoon Brewery (306 Northern Ave, South Boston Waterfront) kicks off their 2021 St Patrick's Day Festival with a 2-day beer festival at their brewery featuring a large selection of Harpoon and UFO beers, handmade brewery pretzels and food for purchase, and non-stop live music from Joshua Tree, Colum Cille Pipes & Drums, Dicey Riley with Dicey Riley and the Celtic Rock Band, and other local bands throughout the weekend.

Dates:  Friday, March 5 (6:30 - 11pm, doors close at 9:30pm) and Saturday, March 7 (1pm-7pm, doors close 5:30pm) - rain or shine!

Cost:  Paid at door: $25 on Friday, $30 on Saturday - Includes festival entrance, souvenir pint glass, and first beer.  Designated Drivers who register at the Customer Service booth when they arrive get free non-alcoholic beverages. 

Getting there:  Take the free shuttle from South Station (look for signs on Summer Street)
Important to know: Get an advance ticket starting at $30 for early admission on the Harpoon Brewery website - click on "Festivals."  Capacity is limited - so if you don't have an advance ticket, arrive early. 
Age: 21+

More Things to Do in Boston in March

More Ways to Experience Boston in March

March marks the beginning of spring in Boston - a perfect time to get out and see the city!  These fun trolley tours, bus tours, and special destinations let you enjoy the best of Boston!

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Boston Events Each Month

January   |   February   |     March   |  April   |    May    |    June   |   July   |    August   |    September  |  October   |    November   |    December  |  Year at a Glance 

Need a Boston Hotel?

Use this handy hotel map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay.  Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.

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