Entertainment
Boston is abuzz in 2026 as the city and region prepares for one of its busiest tourist seasons in memory! Three major events are on the horizon: FIFA World Cup Soccer matches in June and July, the 250th events celebrating American Independence on July 4th, and Sail Boston’s Tall Ships promenade on July 11-16. Other…
“Take the T” will be the common refrain throughout greater Boston this summer as thousands of fans stream into town to cheer on their teams at the FIFA World Cup soccer matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The T of course is the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), the regional transit system that provides subway,…
Every March on St. Patrick’s Day, Irish pride shines bright in Central Massachusetts, a beautiful region of New England where 17.5% of residents claim Irish ancestry. The Irish are just one of “the many unique cultures of our dynamic region,” says Monique Joseph, president of Discover Central Massachusetts, a dynamic visitors bureau representing 35 cities…
Thanks to the region’s high concentration of residents boasting Irish roots going back generations, Irish culture sparkles all year round in New England. Add in the vibrant Scottish and Canadian Maritime communities, and you can experience a rich offering of Celtic traditions and sensibilities anywhere you go. That Irish presence reaches a joyous crescendo each…
The Boston Irish have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for decades, generations and even for centuries! These four annual events illuminate the durability, cohesion, dedication and good deeds of the Boston Irish community in March and throughout the year. On March 4, the Irish Cultural Centre of Greater Boston holds its 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration….
The 21 cities and towns that comprise the Revolutionary Valley north of Boston are filled with natural beauty, tasty cuisine, vibrant culture and a proud history and multi-ethnic heritage. In 2026, the City of Lowell celebrates the 200th anniversary of its founding and ethnic traditions, which began when Irish immigrants came here in the 1820s…
Celebrate Celtic music, song, and dance on Sunday, March 15 with Groton Hill’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the magnificent 1000-seat Concert Hall at Groton Hill Music Center, located in beautiful Groton, Massachusetts, just an hour northwest of Boston. A tour-de-force collaboration of some of the finest artists on the scene today, this all-ages…
Two historic theaters – Chevalier Theatre in Medford and The Wilbur Theatre in Downtown Boston – are exquisite settings for experiencing live performances throughout the year. Both theatres are operated by veteran promoter Bill Blumenreich who books an innovative line-up of small and large-scale music and dance, stand-up comedy and theater productions year-round. This St. Patrick’s…
The accolades keep coming for Russell Gusetti, and rightly so. As founder and executive director of the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland, RI, he is celebrating the 25th anniversary of what many consider to be one of New England’s most beloved acoustic music venues. It was Russell who salvaged an abandoned building ready for demolition and painstakingly…
Irish pride, lots of fun and good cheer come together at the 15th Annual Irish Festival at Patriot Place, taking place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026! The daylong celebration features live performances by Irish musicians and step dancers, as well as a full slate of Irish-themed activities for the…
Three heroes – a world-champion boxer, a nationally renowned police chief, and a local community leader – are being recognized at this year’s Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Irish professional boxer and Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor (pictured) is receiving the 33rd Ambassador Award, presented to an individual or group that…
Saturday, March 7 Saturday, March 14 Sunday, March 15 Tuesday, March 17 Saturday, March 21 Sunday, March 22 Sunday, April 12 irishboston.org/parades
The Boston Irish have always wanted a cultural home they could call their own, a place to gather with family and friends, where they could preserve their culture, strengthen their heritage and have a bit of fun in the process. In the 19th century, they gathered in community centers, parish halls or tenement kitchens, spread…
For 25 years, the Irish Cultural Centre has celebrated some of the world’s finest Irish music and dance, and this season continues that fine tradition. On March 4, ICC presents its prestigious Gradam Dóchas Award to Irish step dancing champion and devoted dance teacher Liam Harney of Walpole. A two-time World Champion who has performed…
In 2026, you can get a full sampling of Ireland’s welcoming spirit at the annual St. Patrick’s Festival taking place in Dublin on March 14-17. Ireland’s capital city comes alive with continuous cultural events, live music, tasty cuisine, shopping and thrilling street displays by actors, artists and acrobats. Everyone is invited to join the fun…
The spring season in Ireland has become a sweet spot for intrepid visitors who prefer a slow, gentle experience on this green-laden island which blossoms into color and warmth in April and May. Rural areas, farmlands, small villages and urban centers come alive as birds return to their favorite nesting sites, foals, lambs and calves…
The Fleadh Cheoil (Irish Music Festival) is coming to Belfast, Northern Ireland in August, 2026 and Brack Tours is offering visitors the chance of a lifetime to experience the world’s largest festival of Irish music, dance and song. Organized by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Fleadh Cheoil attracts the best Irish musicians from around the world, who come for the…
Boston City Hall Plaza is the official FIFA Fan Festival site for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Boston, officials announced today. The plaza will be the central gathering spot for fans to view matches on giant screens while also being part of a city-wide community celebration. Live entertainment, local food vendors and interactive fan experiences will…
January 22, 2026 — Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) today released its schedule of thirteen 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parades taking place in New England this March to celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month. The 2026 parade season kicks off on Saturday, March 7 with parades on Cape Cod, Hartford and Pawtucket and finishes up on Sunday,…
Holyoke, Mass. – January 22, 2026 – The St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke today announced that celebrated Irish professional boxer and Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor has been selected as the 33rd Ambassador Award recipient. This prestigious honor is presented annually to an individual or group that has worked to strengthen the relationship between the…
(January 16, 2026) – The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade Committee honored 2026 Grand Marshal Michael J. Moriarty at its annual award dinner and reception at The Log Cabin in Holyoke. The prestigious Grand Marshal award is given each year to a person of Irish ancestry who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the parade, community, career, family…
Greater Boston’s acclaimed traditional Irish organization, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, is now accepting students for its 10-week spring semester at its CCÉ Boston Music School, which runs from January 26 through April 1, 2026. Deadline for enrollment is Monday, January 19, 2026. See enrollment form. Every level of musician – including beginners, intermediate and advanced players,…
The South Boston Citizens’ Association has named State Senator Nick Collins of South Boston as General Chairman of this year’s 250th Evacuation Day Commemorations taking place in March, 2026. The announcement was made on January 6 by Association President Thomas E. McGrath, who stated, “The executive board and I look forward to working with Senator…
Photo courtesy of James Thomas Photography and Hunter Berube
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These organizations promote Irish Culture in New England.
