Celebrating the Neighborhood: Dorchester Day Parade
Start & Finish
The parade starts at 1:00 p.m. in Lower Mills at the corner of Washington Street & Dorchester Avenue and travels along Dorchester Avenue to Savin Hill at the corner of Columbia Road and Dorchester Avenue. The parade route is 3.2 miles. The parade is on Sunday, June 2nd.
Chief Marshal Charlie Santangelo
Charlie Santangelo, Dorchester native, retired BFD and Marine Corps veteran, will be this year’s chief marshal! This year, there will also be an honorary marshal, Tan Nhu Pham, a former South Vietnamese police lieutenant who endured seven years in a Việt Cộng re-education camp. A special banquet in their honor will be held on Thursday, May 29th, at Florian Hall, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7. Also honored at this event are the Mayor of Dorchester, Bridget McDonagh, Little Miss Dorchester, Blake Finnegan, and Young Miss Dorchester, Natalie Adkins! Tickets are required ($50). Contact 855-367-3299 or [email protected] to order.
One to Watch – Dorchester Brewing
Be on the lookout for this crowd-pleasing float by Dorchester Brewing Co. They always have a fun and festive theme!
Street Closures
The Dorchester Day Parade starts at Dorchester Avenue at Adams Street in Lower Mills and will travel from Dorchester Avenue to Columbia Road. This portion of Dorchester Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic prior to 10 AM. In addition, temporary “Tow Zone, No Stopping” parking regulations will be in effect as follows:
Dorchester Avenue, from Pierce Square to Columbia Road
Adams Street, from Pierce Square heading south to the Milton Line
Richmond Street, from Morton Street to Adams Street
Butler Street, from Adams Street to Richmond Street.
Run the Dorchester Day 5K
Lace-up your sneakers and participate in the 2025 Dot Day Road Race on Sunday, June 1st! You can register here!
This family-friendly 5K is for all ages and abilities and begins and ends at The Mix restaurant just before the annual Dot Day Parade! Standard Entry Fee (between 5/1/25-5/31/25): Adults $35/Children 11 and under $18. Day of Race Entry Fee: Adult $40/ Children 11 and under $20. Each registration includes a finisher medal! Food will be available for purchase at THE MIX. You can learn more here!
Learn the History of Dot Day
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
For folks not in the know (like me) and because Google Maps doesn’t have this location: Pierce Square appears to be the Dorchester Ave/Adams St/Washington St intersection in Lower Mills, Dorchester.