South Boston’s 2026 St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day Parade reverses direction, starting at Andrew Square

A long-running South Boston tradition will follow the same streets in a different order

South Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day Parade will be run in reverse this year, sending marchers from Andrew Square toward Broadway Station instead of the traditional direction. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, with a planned step-off time of 11:30 a.m.

Organizers said the switch keeps the event on its familiar 3.5-mile footprint while changing the sequence of streets. City officials and transit agencies are preparing for large crowds similar to recent years, when attendance has approached the high hundreds of thousands and the transportation network has faced platform crowding and intermittent station access restrictions.

Route: same corridor, reversed flow

The parade will begin at Andrew Square, then proceed along Dorchester Street, turn onto Telegraph Street, loop around Thomas Park, and continue down Broadway to finish near the Broadway-area transit corridor. The change effectively flips last year’s route direction while maintaining the same central neighborhood spine used for decades.

Organizers and elected officials have tied the reversal to the 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day, observed in Boston on March 17 and rooted in the 1776 British withdrawal from the city during the Revolutionary War. The updated direction is intended to mirror a historic movement associated with that period, linking the modern procession to local Revolutionary-era geography.

Transportation planning focuses on Red Line crowding and shuttles

The MBTA is planning increased Red Line service during peak parade hours and has warned that stations closest to the route can be subject to operational adjustments if platforms become overcrowded. In recent parade operations, trains have bypassed Broadway Station at times to manage passenger volumes and reduce safety risks.

To supplement rail capacity, the MBTA is also planning shuttle bus service between South Station and South Boston during the event window. Riders are being urged to expect delays, variable station access, and heavy pedestrian congestion near Andrew Square and along Broadway.

Public safety posture: enforcement of alcohol and disorder statutes

Public safety planning for the parade continues to emphasize enforcement against public drinking, open containers, and providing alcohol to minors. City and police messaging in recent parade years has centered on limiting disorder, addressing rooftop safety, and preventing crowd-related incidents along the route.

• Date and time: Sunday, March 15, 2026; 11:30 a.m. step-off

• Direction: Start at Andrew Square, finish near the Broadway area

• Transit: Increased Red Line service planned; shuttle buses expected between South Station and South Boston

The 2026 parade will combine the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration with the milestone anniversary of Evacuation Day, while keeping the route’s core neighborhood streets intact.