Garden Art and Celtic Punk: What's On in Boston Today
A Monday Mix of Fine Art, Celtic Rock, and Public Spectacle
While Mondays are often a quiet start to the week, today, March 16, 2026, serves as the high-energy eve of St. Patrick’s Day. Boston is buzzing with major museum openings, the return of local legends to the stage, and interactive public art installations that transform the downtown landscape.
Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination at the MFA
Today marks the second day of the Museum of Fine Arts’ highly anticipated exhibition, Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination. This global collection explores the human impulse to cultivate the earth, featuring everything from intricate Chinese scrolls to enchanting tapestries. It is a perfect, serene escape for those looking to avoid the rowdier pre-holiday crowds. Visitors can also catch One Hundred Stitches, One Hundred Villages, a stunning display of patchwork textiles from rural China, also on view today.
The Dropkick Murphys Return to the Stage
It wouldn't be March in Boston without the city's favorite Celtic punk band. The Dropkick Murphys continue their annual residency tonight with a high-octane performance at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. As part of their multi-night St. Patrick’s Day celebration, tonight's show is expected to be a sell-out, drawing fans from across New England to kick off the holiday festivities early with bagpipes, distorted guitars, and local pride.
WINTERACTIVE 2026: Public Art Downtown
For those preferring an outdoor experience, WINTERACTIVE 2026 is currently in full swing across the Downtown Boston area. This Canadian-inspired art experience features large-scale, interactive installations designed to bring light and play to the city streets during the tail end of winter. It is free to the public and offers several photo-ready spots near the Boston Common and the Financial District.
History and Heritage at the BPL
At the Central Library in Copley Square, the Boston Public Library presents Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism. This exhibit is a deep dive into the city's rebellious spirit, perfectly timed for the upcoming Evacuation Day celebrations. It features a wide array of prints, pamphlets, and artworks that showcase how Bostonians have used creative expression to demand social change over two and a half centuries.
On the Water: St. Patrick's Brunch Cruise
If you are looking to take to the seas, the Northern Lights is hosting a special St. Patrick's Brunch Cruise today. Guests can enjoy a three-course Irish breakfast and live traditional Irish music while sailing around the Boston Harbor, offering a unique perspective of the skyline and the historic USS Constitution.