With Boston’s famous Irish heritage, it makes sense why March is such a happening time to visit this historic city. But St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only event in Boston in March. From film festivals that tickle your imagination to chances to cheer on your favorite team, there’s plenty to do in March in Boston that’ll make for an eventful trip.

One thing to keep in mind about March in Boston is that it’s still very much the winter. By the end of March, things will likely be heating up a bit, but most often, March is still pretty chilly and isn’t considered the start of spring yet.

Planning on visiting Boston in March and wondering where to start? We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Boston in March to help you get started. Whether you’re an animal lover, sports fan, history buff, or something else entirely, you’ll find tons of events in Boston in March for everyone!

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The 15 Best Things to do in Boston in March

1. Watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Over in South Boston, you’ll find one of the best St. Patrick’s Day parades in the US and one of the best things to do in Boston in March. South Boston is rich in Irish heritage, but it’s also the site of Dorchester Heights, where the British troops were evacuated on March 17, 1776. 

Due to this date, the parade is actually in honor of both St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day, managing to celebrate both Irish and American history in one spectacular show.

2. See the Dropkick Murphys Perform

The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations don’t stop there, and one of the coolest things to do when visiting Boston in March is seeing the Dropkick Murphys arrive for their annual St. Patrick’s Day concert series. 

Taking place at the House of Blues and the MGM Music Hall, these shows cause Bostonians to come out in droves to see the famous Celtic band, who were born and raised in nearby Quincy. Just be sure to get tickets in advance, as they tend to sell out fast.

3. Walk the Irish Heritage Trail

If you’re visiting Boston in March around St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll find that there are plenty of green-tinted festivities around the city, but you might also want to take the time to learn about the city’s rich Irish heritage. With the Irish Heritage Trail, you can take a self-guided tour to walk in the footsteps of the many Irish immigrants who once walked those same cobblestone streets.

4. Go on an Irish Pub Crawl

Of course, if you’re more interested in the party scene, an Irish pub crawl is one of the best things to do in Boston in March. The Get Lucky Pub Crawl takes place over St. Patrick’s Day weekend and helps you combat some of the long lines that come with St. Patrick’s Day in Boston. You’ll find over 50 venues participating in the crawl, including some locations that are only open for pub crawlers. 

5. Visit the Aquarium

Technically, whale-watching season starts in late March in Boston, and it remains one of the coolest things to do in Boston in spring. However, unless you have a particularly warm March, you most likely won’t actually see any whales. You’re better off waiting until later in spring to go whale-watching, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to see aquatic life in Boston.

The New England Aquarium is open all year round and offers looks at everything from penguins to sea lions to sea turtles. Thousands of animals await you here!

6. Attend the Boston International Women’s Day Breakfast

Taking place on March 8, also known as International Women’s Day, the Boston International Women’s Day Breakfast invites hundreds of women to come together to celebrate the holiday. This unique event lets you listen to panels of women from all different walks of life and join in on a one-of-a-kind networking opportunity. 

7. Go to the Boston Underground Film Festival

The Boston Underground Film Festival makes the Brattle Theatre one of the best places to visit in Boston in March. This film festival celebrates all things off the beaten path, so you never quite know what to expect when it arrives in late March every year. 

From documentaries about things you never heard of to international films making their New England debut, unique film lovers are sure to find their happy place here.

8. Go Maple-Sugaring

March is prime maple-sugaring time in Massachusetts. It’s one of the most unique things to do when visiting Boston in March, and there are several spots around the Boston area and beyond where you can partake in the syrup season. 

Head to Weston for the Sugaring-Off Festival, which will happen in late March, or journey out to Old Sturbridge Village for Maple Days, a celebration of American history and maple syrup that will occur throughout March.

9. Dine Your Way Around Dine Out Boston

Formerly known as Restaurant Week Boston, Dine Out Boston is one of the best things to do in Boston in both winter and summer. The winter version of this restaurant week typically arrives in March, when you get to dine at many of Boston’s best at a reduced rate, thanks to the event’s prix fixe menus.

10. Cheer on Your Team During March Madness

Boston may be a historic city and a college town, but you can’t deny that sports are also in its bones. There are sports bars galore in this city, and they’re the best place to visit in Boston in March when March Madness arrives. From Fenway Park’s own Bleacher Bar to the delicious drinks and dining at Parlor Sports in Somerville, there’s a sports bar for everyone in Boston.

11. Go to a Hockey Game

Aside from basketball, hockey is also still ongoing in March, and it happens to be many Bostonians’ favorite sport, thanks to the rowdy crowds and fast action. While you can go to a Boston Bruins game, don’t forget that Boston’s many colleges have teams of their own, and it’s just as fun to go to a Boston University Terriers game as it is to go to a Bruins game.

12. Tour Fenway Park

Boston’s proud Red Sox will be down in Florida for spring training in March, but Fenway Park is still one of the best Boston destinations in March. Ballpark tours are available all year round and let you walk the historic halls of the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. 

You’ll take in the view from the legendary Green Monster, see tons of Red Sox memorabilia, and learn just what makes this field so beloved.

13. Shop the Somerville Winter Farmers Market

The Somerville Winter Farmers Market is one of the best places to be in Boston in winter, and for Boston, winter does still include March. Featuring more than 71 local food vendors serving up everything from tamales to juice to donuts, this farmers market is around throughout the entire month of March, so be sure to catch it before it disappears for the season in early April. 

14. Take a Day Trip to Salem

Over on the North Shore, you’ll find Salem. While March is one of the best times of year to visit Boston, thanks to the quieter crowd levels and many college kids taking off for spring break, you’ll find the same can be said for Salem. 

While Salem is typically jam-packed with visitors come fall for the spooky season, visiting in March lets you enjoy the off-season. Plus, if you’re a documentary film lover, you’ll find March is a great time to visit, thanks to the Salem Film Fest. 

If you’re in Boston, you’re just a short train ride from this famous town. Some of Salem’s attractions close for the winter, but late March is typically when everything starts opening back up again.

15. Enjoy a Broadway-Level Production

Boston has tons of theaters showcasing touring Broadway productions, classic plays and musicals, ballet, and much more.

For example, March 2024 featured the Boston Ballet’s take on “Cinderella” at the Boston Opera House and the song stylings of Bob Dylan in “Girl from the North Country,” as well as the music of Sting in “Message in a Bottle” at the Emerson Colonial Theatre.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Boston in March. What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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