BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Public officials in South Boston are preparing for Sunday's annual St. Patrick's Day parade to ensure safety for all attendees.

Authorities have announced that public drinking is not allowed, and there is a zero-tolerance policy is in place when it comes to fighting or violence of any kind. Large backpacks are also prohibited.

There will be a number of parking restrictions and street closures during the parade.

The MBTA is also adding more service and security ahead of the parade, which some residents say makes them feel safer in the area.

"They've gotten pretty good at it. They have it pretty locked down. Security is what it is," one local said.

Local officials are expecting nearly a million people in the area for the weekend's festivities.

"Madness. I try to actually get out of the area. I usually find something else to do," one local who lives near the parade route said.

Below is a list of St. Patrick's Day events you can participate in if you are trying to avoid the parades:

Fri, March 13 - Dropkick Murphy Performance: MGM Music Hall & House of Blues, 2 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215 For The People In the Pit St. Patrick's Day 2026 Tour

Sat, March 14 - St. Patrick's Day Open House: Gibson House Museum, 137 Beacon St, Boston, MA, 02116 A self-guided tour of the Gibson House Museum, and learn about the work and the lives of the young, Irish immigrant women who worked as cooks, laundresses, nannies, and chambermaids.

Sat, March 14 - Boston Fenway St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl Check-in is available at multiple Fenway locations. Present your ticket to receive your wristband and digital bar crawl map.

Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company — 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Lucky Strike Fenway — 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sweet Cheeks Q — 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sat, March 14 - St Patrick's Day Variety Show: The Burren, 247 Elm St., Davis Square Somerville, MA 02144 A celebration featuring Irish tunes, ballads, stories, dancing, and special guests

Sat, March 14 - Trey Song at Memoire Boston: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 Mr. Steal Your Girl takes over Mémoire St. Paddy’s weekend

Sun, March 15 - St. Patrick's Day Linner: Sunrise of Newton, 431 Washington St, Newton, MA, 02458 A festive gathering honoring a savory tradition with corned beef and cabbage meal.

Tue, March 17 - Boston Fenway Official St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl: Cheeky Monkey Brewing Company Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston Fenway in style by hitting the city’s top bars.

WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.

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