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Events and Things To Do in Boston in March

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This post covers the top things to do in Boston in March, updated for 2023.

We include free, nighttime, as well as family-friendly events and activities.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

The following section will cover the most popular and interesting activities available in Boston during this time of year.

In addition to our top 10, you may also want to consider one of the following attractions or tours:

The best way to save money in Beantown is by purchasing a Boston tourist pass. These services include discounts of up to 55% or more on some of the most popular attractions in the city.

1. Go to a Concert

Probably one of the most exciting concerts this month in Boston is the Dropkick Murphys, who will be playing from March 16th-19th, 2023 in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Even if you're not a fan of this band, there are several other concerts this month to choose from.

Some of the musicians appearing in March are:

Check this full list of concerts for more great musical acts that will be performing in Boston this month.

2. Attend a Sporting Event

Whether you’re a hockey nut or a basketball fan, there will be several great games to see in Boston this month.

See the Boston Bruins out on the ice or the Boston Celtics under the hoop!

March 30th also marks the first MLB game of the season for the Boston Red Sox.

WWE Monday Night Raw has shows March 6th in Boston, and further afield in Providence on March 13th, 2023.

For more games to attend, check this full list of sporting events taking place in Boston this month.

3. See a Hit Broadway Musical

There will be a few great musicals to see in Boston in March, but this is actually an abnormally slow period for theatrical performances in the city.

Even so, there are still some fantastic shows to see this month!

Check TodayTix or Ticketmaster to see what is playing.

Some of the biggest musical shows this month are:

Check this list of theatrical performances for even more great ideas.

4. See Live Stand-up Comedy

There will be several notable comedians performing stand-up in the Boston area throughout the month of March.

If you're in need of a good laugh, this is an excellent time to visit the city and see one of your favorite comics.

Here are a few of the best comedians performing in Boston this March:

For even more opportunities, check this list of stand-up comedy shows in Boston.

5. Go Whale Watching

The whale watching season in Boston begins at the tail end of March. This is an activity that's ideal for people of all ages, especially children.

You can also get out on the water by taking a sightseeing boat tour in the Boston Harbor.

Whale-watching can sometimes be a bit expensive, but some tourist discount passes, like the Go Boston Card, include admission to a whale-watching cruise.

You may find it is worth getting a Boston tourist pass. See immediately below for more information.

6. Save Money With a Tourist Pass

If you’re planning to visit multiple popular attractions in Boston, a tourist pass can save you 50% off general admission prices – or more!

There are currently four different types of passes in Boston: All-inclusive, flex pass, prepackaged and build your own pass.

The easiest option is to build your own pass because you only need to purchase 2 or more tickets in order to save 20% off each attraction/activity.

This is also the best choice for any activity that is already affordable because it ensures that you’ll save at least 20% off those tickets.

An all-inclusive pass includes admission to dozens of attractions and tours for a specific amount of time (1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days). The more you use it, the more money you’ll save!

Alternatively, you can also use a flex pass which allows you to pay one flat price for a set number of activities (3, 4, or 5).

While you can save a lot with this pass, it will be important to use it for the most expensive attractions.

Finally, the prepackaged pass includes a very specific set of activities for one flat price.

The amount you save will be set in stone, but it’s a great option if you know exactly what you want to do while visiting Boston.

Here are some of the best attractions included with these passes:

  • Hop on Hop off Trolley | $42
  • New England Aquarium | $31
  • Museum of Fine Arts | $25
  • Museum of Science | $29
  • Boston Duck Tour | $43
  • Skywalk Observatory | $21
  • Six Flags New England | $72
  • Sunset Harbor Cruise | $35
  • Franklin Park Zoo | $20
  • LEGOLAND | $25

Depending on which pass you choose, you should be able to save anywhere from 20% – 50% off these activities.

For more details, please read our post covering Boston tourist passes.

To purchase a discount pass, you can find one here: All Inclusive - Boston Go City | Explorer - Boston Go City | Boston CityPass

7. Enjoy Sightseeing in Spring

Now that the weather is warming up, you might want to consider taking one of our pay-what-you-wish walking tours, like walking the historic Freedom Trail.

We offer both a pay-what-you-wish Freedom Trail walking tour and a self-guided Freedom Trail tour.

With no price tag upfront, these tours are a great way to discover the city without spending a lot of money. 

We also offer several self-guided Boston tours which cover a lot of notable and historic locations in the city.

Alternatively, you can also take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour to visit the most popular locations at your own pace.

8. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Boston

Few cities in the United States are as Irish as Boston, so this is one of the best places to celebrate this holiday!

In 2023, St. Patrick's is on Thursday, March 17th and you can celebrate it by walking the Boston Irish Heritage Trail.

It's about 3 miles and takes you through downtown and other parts of the city.

You might also like to see the patriotic part of Irish history in Boston by taking using our map of Irish Sites on the Freedom Trail. 

In South Boston the St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place March 19th between 1:00-5:00 pm.

And the St. Patrick's Day 5K Road Race takes place March 19th as well.

9. Save on a 5-Star Meal During Dine Out Boston

Dine Out Boston (formerly known as 'Restaurant Week Boston') takes place twice a year, in March and August.

The event offers diners the opportunity to dine at some of the best Boston restaurants at discounted prices.

In 2023, Dine Out Boston occurs during March 12th-25th. Prices for a special fixed price menu start at $22 for lunch and $36 for dinner.

You can enjoy this same experience throughout the year during Restaurant Week in other cities like New York City, New Orleans, and Washington DC.

10. Grab Some Fresh Lobster for Dinner

If you're looking for something great to eat for dinner, consider going out for a nice lobster dinner.

Although there's never a bad time to get fresh seafood in Boston, the waters nearby will be getting warmer in March.

This means that fishermen will be catching even more of these delicious crustaceans.

Visitors who are looking for a great seafood restaurant should take a look at our list of the best lobster places in Boston.

Not a fan of seafood? No problem! You can find out about some of the best Italian restaurants in the city by taking our Little Italy Food Tour.

If you’re looking for a few things to do after dark, make sure to check our section covering fun things to do at night in Boston this March.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN MARCH

In this section, we will cover some of the more interesting things you can do at night in Boston during the month of March. 

Some of the following activities are actually included with at least one Boston tourist pass, making it easy to save money on fun nighttime attractions.

For additional ideas, check our full post covering things to do at night in Boston.

Discover Boston’s Criminal History

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that there have been a lot of criminals throughout its history.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the criminal history of this city, you should think about going on our pay-what-you-wish Beacon Hill Crime Tour.

During this walking tour, you’ll see a variety of sites related to the Boston Strangler.

In addition to seeing where some of the victims once lived, you’ll also see some of the locations that were once crime scenes.

Go on an Evening Cruise

With the weather warming up, March could be a wonderful time to go on an evening cruise in Boston.

There are several different companies that offer sunset cruises on the harbor, allowing you to see the city skyline as the sun goes down.

You can also go on a dinner cruise and enjoy a night on the water with your significant other while you dine with some of the best views of the city.

Ticket prices are as low as $20 for a sunset cruise and around $60 for a dinner cruise. Read more about your options from our post on Boston boat tours.

TIP: Both the Boston City PASS and the Go Boston Card include at least one free cruise.

Experience the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Although there are a lot of great concerts to attend this month, most of them feature modern tunes from popular artists.

If you are looking for classical music, it’s hard to beat the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

They will be performing at the historic Symphony Hall several times in March, so this is an excellent time to see a live performance.

The Voices of Loss, Reckoning, and Hope festival also takes place in March.

Symphony lovers might want to consider taking a free tour of the Symphony Hall.

These tours are offered either on a day without any scheduled performances or before/after a concert. 

Have a Pint!

There are so many Irish pubs to chose from to enjoy your celebratory pint(s) of Guinness. 

Here are some of the best, oldest, and most interesting. See our Best Irish Pubs in Boston map for address and to get directions.

  • The Green Dragon - One of the oldest bars in Boston. Supposedly Paul Revere enjoyed a few here. 11 Marshall St., downtown Boston
  • The Eire Pub – A workingman’s pub, not too far from the parade route.  396 Adams St, in Dorchester.
  • James’s Gate – Named after the original Guinness factory in Dublin, this is the best place to get a Guinness in Boston. 5 McBride St, Jamaica Plain.
  • The Plough and Stars – Small narrow and filled with literary types.  The magazine Ploughshares was created here. 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge.
  • Grafton Street – Mix traditional with modern at this Cambridge bar. 1230 Mass Ave, Cambridge.

For more evening activities, be sure to read our post about things to do at night in Boston.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

This section includes some fun and interesting activities you can enjoy for free in Boston this month.

Don’t forget to read the other sections in this post for even more ideas such as seeing open mic comedy and taking a self-guided walking tour.

You can find even more great activities that you can do any time of year and that won’t cost you anything on our full post covering free things to do in Boston 

Check Out a Free Museum

If you’re looking for additional opportunities to enjoy a variety of artwork, there are several great museums in Boston that offer free admission.

While some locations only offer one free day a week, others never charge visitors any price for admission.

The following locations are definitely worth considering if you’re interested in art:

For even more great locations you can visit without paying a dime, read our full post covering free museums in Boston.

Go on a Walking Tour

In addition to walking the Freedom Trail, we also offer several great pay-what-you-want Boston walking tours that you can take.

While this isn’t technically free, it can be very affordable.

Most people choose to give anywhere from $5-$10 for their tour, so you won’t have to pay much for this activity, and you can learn a lot about the city while you’re at it.

Our most popular tours cover locations and subjects such as Little Italy, Cambridge & Harvard and the Irish heritage of Boston.

For more information about these services, make sure to read our Boston walking tours post.

Go to Faneuil Hall Marketplace

There’s never a bad time to visit this historic location, but the spring is an especially wonderful period for a trip to Faneuil Hall.

Not only will there be more street performers in the area, but you can also expect quite a few additional activities and events.

The spring weather will also bring more family-friendly activities such as puppet shows, storytelling adventures, and even a free art class.

From time to time, you can also get free samples from some of the businesses in the area. 

Visit the Boston Public Garden

Now that spring has sprung, you can expect there to be a lot of flowers in bloom at the Boston Public Garden.

The trees will also be sprouting leaves, making the area much greener than it is during the winter. 

There are also several interesting statues and memorials to see, like a statue of George Washington, a 9/11 Memorial, and even a duckling sculpture for kids.

For more suggestions, read our in-depth post covering free things to do in Boston.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN MARCH

The following section will include several fun activities that children and their families will enjoy in Boston this March. 

Check our other sections for even more ideas like going to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, visiting the Skywalk Observatory, or seeing a sports event.

For additional activities that your children will enjoy, make sure to read our post covering things to do with your kids in Boston. 

Visit the Harbor Seals Exhibit at New England Aquarium

Located near the entrance of the New England Aquarium, this free exhibit features a group of harbor seals who entertain audiences.

With the weather warming up, March should be an excellent time to come and see these cute animals as they go about their business.

Although tickets for the aquarium itself aren’t free, they are included at a discount with both the Boston City PASS and the Go Boston Card.

See the Blue Man Group

Throughout the month of March, the Charles Playhouse will be hosting this beloved troupe of performance artists.

The Blue Man Group may not speak, but they sure know how to entertain a crowd.

With a show that includes live music, slapstick, dancing and more, chances are that your kids will absolutely love the experience.

Attend St. Patrick's Day Activities at the Irish Cultural Center

Take your family to the Irish Cultural Center of New England. Plenty of Irish dance, music, food and more, there is something for everyone. 

Admission is $10, but kids are free and they have all day corned beef and cabbage for an additional cost.

The Kids Arts & Crafts table will be set up from noon to 6 pm with glitter tattoos and face painting!

Go to a Playground

There are a lot of great playgrounds in Boston, and as the weather gets warmer in March, you may want to take your children out to play.

Many of the best playgrounds can be found close to popular attractions like Boston Common, the Franklin Park Zoo, Harvard University and more. 

If you’re looking for more family-friendly activities, see our post covering things to do with kids in Boston.

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About The Author

Brian Burgess

Brian was born in Cambridge and has been living in the Boston area all his life. He is a graduate of Boston's Emerson College with a degree in communications with a journalism/history focus. He has been leading tours for Free Tours By Foot Boston since it was started in the city of Boston in 2012, and enjoys sharing his knowledge of Boston's rich history with not only the guests on his tours, but with everyone he meets.
Updated: January 11th, 2023
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