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Dorchester Parade

Dorchester Day takes place on the first Sunday of June every year, and is a vibrant expression of neighborhood pride. The parade, which has been a tradition for over 100 years, celebrates the founding of Dorchester in 1663, and is considered to be one of the most celebrated Boston events of the summer season.

While the entire day is considered a neighborhood celebration, the parade is the centerpiece to the tradition. The event is greatly anticipated by those who live in Dorchester, an area of South Boston, and over the years, several groups and planning committees have emerged to take charges and make sure the event is done right.

The route of the parade is 3.2 miles long. The parade begins in Lower Mills at the corner of Washington Street and Dorchester Avenue, and travels along Dorchester Ave all the way to the intersection with Columbia Road near the border with South Boston. The parade brings thousands participants and spectators to the neighborhood, considered one of the largest and most diverse in the city.

The commemorative parade calls for participation from neighborhood locals and visitors alike, and has come to be one of the most anticipated days in this area of Boston. The parade is usually headed by the Boston Fire Department, a beloved fixture in this large, diverse community. Over 100 community groups, as well as individual members of the community, participate in the parade, many donning vibrant costumes or representative uniforms. Marching groups include, but are not limited to school groups, marching bands, local organizations and charities, military personnel, and members from the BFD and the Boston Police Force.

There is also a lot of political participation in the Dorchester Day Parade. Local politicians and other public figures often take the chance to make public appearances and interact with spectators as well as the Dorchester community.

Dorchester Day has encouraged several unique traditions of its own. Every year, locals who are active in the Dorchester community apply for the chance to be the Honorary Mayor of Dorchester for the day and be honored in the parade. There are also contests for the titles of Little Miss Dorchester and Young Miss Dorchester.

The parade route is ideal for people visiting Dorchester for the first time, as Dorchester Avenue is lined with shops and a huge array of restaurants and cafés. The main roadway is also a great place to get a taste of Dorchester’s diversity – the neighborhood has particularly large Vietnamese and Cape Verdean communities, and many restaurants in the area reflect this cultural presence.

Dorchester’s reputation has been tarnished over the years from through the emergence of crime, thievery, and violence. This parade has become a way for the community to regain its reputation and open its doors to welcome visitors. Dorchester Day celebrates the positive aspects of the proud community, and it is a great day to visit this vibrant and historically important section of Boston.

To get to Dorchester, take the Red Line of the T outbound towards the Ashmont stop. Get off at any stop beginning with JFK/UMass to access Dorchester Avenue.

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Dorchester Parade