Festivals
Boston Harborfest is a proud tradition celebrating Boston’s maritime and revolutionary history. With hundreds of activities over Independence Day week at Boston’s most iconic historic landmarks, this family-friendly event is one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals. Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, arts market, Chowderfest, live musical…
Boston-born short story master Edgar Allan Poe visited Lowell three times in the 1840s and apparently loved the city. Lowell is returning the love with the 2nd Annual Poe in Lowell Festival on October 17-19, 2025. Activities include book readings and lectures, live music, art exhibits, film screenings, a walking tour of Lowell and a pop-up…
FREE ADMISSION! Located at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, the Lowell Irish Festival features a family- friendly and fun-filled day of live Irish music from national, regional, and local acts, Irish-inspired culinary and beverage offerings, artisan vendors, family activities, Irish step dancing, and more! The day-long event, taking place September 13, 2025, is spread out across…
Rain or Shine Festival! OVER 30 PIPE BANDS! Bringing Scottish Arts to the Pioneer Valley for 30 years, this is the only Scottish Festival in MA, and the 2nd largest in New England. Enjoy incredible music from: Albannach (1:30-3:45 pm), The Devil’s Brigade (4:45 – 7:00 pm – Closing) and start the day with Waking…
Each August, the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce hosts this free family event along the city’s beautiful waterfront. Activities include a beloved duck race, live entertainment, the popular classic car show and more than 200 arts & crafts vendors and local non-profits. It is a perfect way to enjoy one of American’s most historic cities….
A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. Every year on Mother’s Day, hundreds of children parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston…
Join the ICC for an unforgettable weekend of St. Patrick’s festivities. Enjoy Family Day on the 15th (10 am – 5 pm) with music by Strawberry Hill & Slainte, Bell & Son, Irish step dance performances, crafts, face painting and games – there’s something for everyone to enjoy (AD: $25, CH: $10). Food & Beverage available for…
Just a half-hour drive from Boston lies the Merrimack Valley, a distinctive region in Massachusetts known for its natural beauty, ethnic cuisine and storied culture. And it may be best known for its prominent ties to American history, from the American Revolution to the Industrial Revolution to the High Tech Revolution. Today, there is no…
The 14th Annual Irish Festival at Patriot Place, one of the region’s most popular events each March, is expanding in 2025 as it goes from a one to three-day celebration of Irish culture in greater Boston on March 15-17. The events at Patriot Place North Marketplace is free and open to the public and takes…
Massachusetts is rolling out the emerald carpet for St. Patrick’s Day this March, as one of America’s most Irish-American states celebrates its distinct culture and ethnic heritage. The Boston Irish Tourism Association (BITA) has issued its annual recommendations for enjoying the region’s St. Patrick’s Day season in a fun and meaningful way. “Today, nearly 20%…
Of course we love summer in Ireland, and autumn leading into the Christmas holidays and winter. But increasingly, springtime in Ireland is the sweet spot for more and more Americans, who have discovered the milder weather, the abundance of nature, smaller crowds and in general a chill vibe between March and June which fits their…
Cork City — A Top 25 Destination National Geographic has named Cork City one of the 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025. The much-anticipated announcement is made annually and is a point of pride for destinations making the competitive list, which is handpicked by National Geographic’s explorers, photographers, and editors….
Newport, Rhode Island sparkles between December and March, when the historic port city takes a step back from the excitement of summer and returns to a more easygoing cadence. It is a perfect time for visitors to enjoy this magical place, where iconic seasonal activities invite you in, and where the charm and beauty never…
Thrilling music and inspiring literature, stunning landmarks and sheer beauty, iconic events and warm hospitality – these special features of Ireland don’t go away at the end of summer! On this island, culture, beauty and adventure are ubiquitous. Autumn in Ireland is when the summer and fall seasons gently and gradually converge and when bright, warm days…
The Irish literary traditions are ancient and well-known, from the ancient bards and storytellers to the modern giants of literature. Not surprisingly, these literary traditions are part of Ireland’s living culture today, as Ireland continues to spawn talented new generations of writers. You’ll find plenty of inspiration at these literary festivals, joining other poets, musicians, storytellers…
The literary output of writers from Dublin is extraordinary, spawning novelists, poets, songwriters, playwrights, journalists and scholars. It is one reason why Dublin became the fourth city recognized as a City of Literature by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), one of 39 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world today. With four Nobel…
What does it take to attract over half a million musicians and music-lovers from around the world to descend upon a medieval town in Ireland in the middle of summer? Of course, it is the Fleadh Cheoil na h’Éireann, Ireland’s Festival of Music, which takes place from August 11-18 in the town of Drogheda, County…
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Irish Boston Partners
These organizations promote Irish Culture in New England.
