St. Patrick's Day Guide
For over 100 years, Boston has celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a parade through the streets of South Boston. Up to a million people attend the parade every year—and they arrive early to claim their viewing spots on the parade route.
This year, the parade starts at Broadway station on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 1 PM. Due to street closures and parking bans in the neighborhood, driving to the parade is not recommended.
We want to ensure your safety while you celebrate—additional MBTA staff and Transit Police will be available at MBTA stations throughout the day. Here are some other things you should know about taking the T to South Boston to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Take the T to and from the Parade
The Red Line will be very crowded the day of the parade. Please plan ahead for your trip—you may need to wait longer than usual to get on a train.
Complimentary shuttles will be provided from South Station on the day of the parade.
Between 10:30 AM and 6 PM, a free shuttle will provide service between South Station and South Boston.
To South Boston
- Shuttle pickup: Summer St @ Atlantic Ave
- Shuttle drop off: E 1st St @ City Point Bus Terminal
To South Station
- Shuttle pickup: E 1st St @ City Point Bus Terminal
- Shuttle drop off: Summer St @ Atlantic Ave
The Red Line will run rush hour service from 10 AM – 6 PM.
Trains may bypass Broadway station during certain times of the day due to heavy crowds.
Commuter Rail trains will run with additional cars to accommodate parade attendees.
$10 Weekend Passes
Weekend passes are valid for unlimited travel on all Commuter Rail lines in all zones on Saturday, Sunday, and select holidays. We recommend buying them with the mTicket app.
Learn more about $10 weekend passes
Learn more about Commuter Rail fares
Recommended Trains Home
Check out this PDF to see which trains we recommend after the parade and how crowded we expect each train to be.
Driving to the parade isn't recommended. Parking restrictions and street closures will be in effect in South Boston. However, you can park at an MBTA station and take the subway or Commuter Rail in. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15, and you may use the PayByPhone app or be invoiced.
Parade Route
The parade starts at Broadway station and continues down West Broadway to East Broadway. The parade then turns and heads back west, ending at Andrew station on Dorchester Ave.
Paying for Your Trip
We recommend buying your MBTA tickets before the parade to avoid long lines at fare vending machines and ticket windows. Please note that one-way, round trip, and $10.00 weekend passes for the Commuter Rail are not valid for travel on the subway or bus.
Please load enough money on your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket for a round trip on the subway—about $5. We encourage paying with a credit or debit card to reduce lines in stations.
We recommend buying a $10.00 weekend pass, valid for unlimited travel on all Commuter Rail lines in all zones on Saturday, Sunday, and select holidays.
They are available at ticket windows in North, South, and Back Bay stations, from conductors on board the train, or with the mTicket app. They are not available at fare vending machines.
Download mTicket
Safety and Etiquette
Please follow these guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in South Boston.
If you need to report an emergency, please call 911 or the Transit Police at 617-222-1212.
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed on vehicles or at stations.
- If you are wearing a backpack, remove it and hold it at your side or set it between your feet.
- Let passengers off the train before you board.
- Leave large items like bags and coolers at home.
- Bikes (including folding bikes) are not allowed on the MBTA at any time the day of the parade.
Additional MBTA Transit Police officers will be available in and near stations throughout the day. If you need assistance, please report directly to a uniformed official.
If you need to report an emergency, call 911 or the Transit Police at 617-222-1212.
More Guides
Our user guides can help you learn how to navigate the system, get to local events, use accessibility features, and more.
Plan a trip
Choose your origin and destination to calculate your fare with our Trip Planner.
More Guides
Our user guides can help you learn how to navigate the system, get to local events, use accessibility features, and more.
Plan a trip
Choose your origin and destination to calculate your fare with our Trip Planner.