Saint Anthony's Feast | Frequently Asked Questions

SAINT ANTHONY’S FEAST: TRADITION, FAITH & COMMUNITY

Fast Feast Facts

• Saint Anthony’s Feast is the largest Italian Religious Festival in New England.
• Celebrated annually since 1919 on the weekend of the last Sunday of August
• Located on Endicott, Thacher, and North Margin Streets in Boston’s North End
• All entertainment is free and open to the public
• Donations are accepted at the Chapel of Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy.
• The Grand Procession of Saint Anthony begins on Sunday at 12:00 Noon and lasts for TEN hours
• Visitors will have to pay at vendor stands and piazza.
• Hours of Operation: Thursday: 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM

Honors, Awards and Special Recognitions

Saint Anthony’s Feast was awarded the title of “Best Festival” by the Boston A-List in 2013. Over 81,000 votes were cast and Saint Anthony’s Feast was named #1 Festival out of 28 held throughout Greater Boston.

Saint Anthony Society was a proud recipient of the North End Against Drugs 2003 N.E.A.D. Outstanding Organization Award in recognition of years of moral and financial support.

Saint John School, the only parochial grammar school in the North End presented Saint Anthony Society with the 2005 Saint John School Legacy Award.

In 2001, a first-class blessed relic of the skin of Saint Anthony was gifted to Saint Anthony’s Society by the Pontifical Basilica Di San Antonio in Padua, Italy. In 2022, a first-class blessed relic of the skin of Saint Lucy was gifted to the Saint Lucy Society of Boston by the Sanctuary of Saint Lucy in Venice, Italy. On August 13, 2022, His Eminence Seán O’Malley, OFM, Cap. blessed both relics and society members at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

In 2007, the North End Athletic Association presented an engraved Gardner Chair to Saint Anthony Society in recognition of over 40 years of continued support to the North End Little League and sponsorship of The San Antonio Red Sox.

In 1984, Mayor Raymond L. Flynn renamed part of Endicott Street at the “Via Di San Antonio” in celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the Feast. In 2022, Mayor Michelle Wu rededicated “Via Di San Antonio” and also dedicated “Via Di Santa Lucia."

Saint Anthony’s Feast was the highlight on the Washington Mall in our Nation’s Capitol during the 1988 Festival of American Folklife. This week long celebration hosted by the Smithsonian Institute and the National Park Service replicated the North End Feast on the Mall with band concerts, parades and the traditional procession of Saint Anthony.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council hosted the Saint Anthony’s Feast at the 1989 Massachusetts Cultural Festival in Holyoke, Massachusetts. A mass was said in Saint Anthony’s honor followed by the procession of Saint Anthony complete with marching bands.

In 2009, in celebration of the 90th Anniversary, the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony were brought to the Feast from Padua, Italy by Arch-Bishop Francesco Gioia, Pontifical Delegate to the Basilica di Sant’ Antonio. Thousands flocked to be blessed by Saint Anthony’s holy remains and a beautiful Mass was held in his honor at Saint Leonard Church.

In 2019, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Saint Anthony’s Feast, Fr. Alessandro Ratti, OFM Conv. from the Basilica di Sant Antonio in Padua, Italy brought the Blessed Relics of Saint Anthony to the North End to be carried by our members through the streets of the North End in honor of our century old tradition.

Though the years Saint Anthony’s Feast has been featured in countless news articles, magazines, periodicals, and other publications - National Geographic called Saint Anthony’s Feast the “FEAST OF ALL FEASTS” and the magazine of Italian Food, Wine & Travel stated that Saint Anthony’s Feast is “…A SPECTACLE NOT TO BE MISSED.”

In 2021, Boston Magazine awarded Saint Anthony’s Feast with the Best of Boston for August Festivals.

Future St. Anthony & St. Lucy Feast Weekend Dates

- 105th Anniversary, August 22-25, 2024
- 106th Anniversary, August 28-31, 2025 (Labor Day Weekend)
- 107th Anniversary, August 27-30, 2026
- 108th Anniversary, August 26-29, 2027
- 109th Anniversary, August 24-27, 2028
- 110th Anniversary, August 23-26, 2029

Traveling to the Feast

FROM NORTH:

Take the I-93 N exit toward SOMERVILLE/CHARLESTOWN. Take the exit toward BOSTON. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MA-99 S/NEW RUTHERFORD AVE. Continue over the North Washington Street Bridge. Feast is visible straight ahead. Turn LEFT onto COMMERCIAL ST for parking lots.

FROM NORTH via ROUTE 1:

RTE 1S to TOBIN BRIDGE. Take the exit toward BOSTON/CHARLESTOWN. Take right at top of exit ramp onto MA-99 S/NEW RUTHERFORD AVE. Continue over the North Washington Street Bridge. Feast is visible straight ahead. Turn LEFT onto CAUSEWAY ST for parking lots.

FROM SOUTH:

I-93 N/MA-3 N toward BOSTON. Take EXIT 17 toward GOV'T CTR. Bear Right at the top of ramp toward NORTH END/CHARLESTOWN. Turn LEFT onto CROSS ST. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto ENDICOTT ST.

FROM WEST:

Take I-90E/MASS PIKE/ to BOSTON. Take EXIT 18A-B-C on the LEFT toward I-93 NORTH/CONCORD NH/S. STATION/I-93 SOUTH/QUINCY. Take EXIT 18C-B on the LEFT. Merge onto I-93 N via EXIT 18B toward CONCORD NH. Take EXIT 17 toward GOV'T CTR. Bear right at the top of ramp toward NORTH END/CHARLESTOWN. Turn LEFT onto CROSS ST. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto ENDICOTT ST.

Public Transportation

Commuter Rail to North Station:

Walk down Causeway Street and turn right onto Endicott Street.

T via Green/Orange Lines to North Station:

Causeway Street Exit, take right and walk down Causeway Street toward the North End, enter Feast via Endicott Street on right. Valenti Way Exit, head straight toward North End, enter Feast via Thacher Street.

Commuter Rail to South Station:

Make connecting stops to T stations below. You may also take a taxi to the North End or walk down Atlantic Avenue to get your miles in.

T via Green/Blue Lines to Government Center Station:

Walk through Boston City Hall Plaza and the Rose Kennedy Greenway toward the North End. Bear left on Cross Street take right on Endicott Street OR walk straight down Salem Street, take left at Prince Street and Left on Thatcher into the Feast.

Parking

The North End Garage

The North End Garage located at 600 Commercial Street is steps away from the Feast.

The Parcel 7 Parking Garage

The Parcel 7 Parking Garage located adjacent to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and is a very short walk from the Feast (Entrance on Sudbury Street - Validation available on weekends).

Government Center Garage

Government Center Garage - Saint Anthony’s Feast ONLINE Parking Program:
Night & Weekend Special Rate: $11.00 (+ $1.32 service fee)

Other Options:

There are also several parking facilities located along the Waterfront of the North End (Commercial Street) as well as North Station area.

Local Hotels

As one of the great travel destinations in the United States, Boston is home to many world class hotels. There are many in walking distance to the Feast. For additional options visit the Meet Boston website.

The Boxer Boston

107 Merrimac Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-624-0202

*Call for the special rate for Feast Weekend

Marriott Courtyard Boston Downtown/North Station

Courtyard by Marriott - Boston

Downtown/North Station
107 Beverly Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-725-0003

*Call for the special rate for Feast Weekend

Battery Wharf Hotel

3 Battery Wharf
Boston, MA 02114
617-994-9000

Courtyard by Marriott - Woburn

700 Unicorn Park, Drive.
Woburn, MA 01801
866-449-7397

*Special rate for vendors/guests

The Bostonian Boston

26 North Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-523-3600

Boston Marriott - Long Wharf

296 State Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-227-0800

Residence Inn at Tudor Wharf

34-44 Charles River Avenue
Boston, MA 02114
617-242-9000

Wyndham Boston - Beacon Hill

5 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-742-7630

Holiday Inn - Somerville

30 Washington Street
Somerville, MA 02143
617-628-1000

Tour Groups & Buses

The City of Boston has provided details on their website regarding information for tour bus operators which can be found at https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/guidelines-tour-buses-boston.

The closest drop-off/pick-up location for tour buses to the Feast is noted as #1 on the map (Steriti Memorial Rink, located at 561 Commercial Street) and is approximately a three minute walk to the Feast. Parking for tour buses is located in Charlestown which is a short drive from the Feast.

Visiting the North End and Boston

Local Restaurants

While savoring the sights and sound of the festival, take the time to tour our wonderful neighborhood. You will find it a neighborhood rich in history and culture. Visit some of our many authentic Italian caffes, trattorias, ristorantes, salumerias and specialty shops.

There are several restaurants located within the Feast including the world famous Pizzeria Regina, Massimino’s Cucina Italiana, Filippo Ristorante and Ducali. Please visit our Sponsor Page or Program Book Page for other suggestions or www.northendboston.com.

Area Attractions

Boston is one of our Nations’ most historic and iconic cities, full of history, culture and tradition. It is also known as America’s Walking City – so take a walk on the Freedom Trail and visit some of our Nation’s oldest and most important Revolutionary era sites: the Old North Church, Paul Revere House, Faneuil Hall, and the USS Constitution & Museum. Also in walking distance is Quincy Market and the New England Aquarium and if you take a quick T ride you can enjoy the Children’s Museum, Harvard Square, the Museum of Science and the Museum of Fine Arts. For additional options visit the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.bostonusa.com.

Advertising/Sponsorship Opportunities

St. Anthony’s Feast has exciting and effective advertising and sponsorship opportunities available. For more information please visit our Sponsor Page or Program Book Page.

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Any visual, audio reproduction, or written material of the festival other than the News Media is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the St. Anthony Di Padua Da Montefalcione Society, Inc. Also, no articles bearing the image or wording of St. Anthony can be sold at the Festival. Saint Anthony's Feast is a registered service mark. Usage of the wording or image of Saint Anthony is not permitted without approval of the San Antonio Di Padova Da Montefalcione, Inc.