The celebration of the Boston Celtics’ NBA championship will be in full swing today, Friday, June 21, as over a million Boston sports fans ― who are no strangers to the iconic rolling rallies and duck boat parades that celebrated multiple championship titles in the past two decades ― are expected to flock to the city once again.
The parade will celebrate the Celtics’ blowout 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA title in five games. The win marks the team’s 18th title, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers and setting a new record.
Celtics Parade wraps up
Commentators are estimating well over one million people showed up for the parade, which wrapped up just ahead of 12:30.
While the crowd was huge, people were commenting on how well behaved it was. Laura Cunning, of South Boston, said the crowd was energetic but got along very well.
“It was great, a great presentation of our city and our champions,” Cunning said.
The Celtics parade is about halfway through
The crowd was electric as Coach Joe Mazzulla, Kristaps Porzingis and MVP Jayson Tatum made their way through Boylston Street on their duck boats. Chants of “MVP” echoes through neighborhood as attendees raved against the steel barricades as their champions passed by.
The Celtics parade has begun!
The Duck Boats have begun rolling in Boston, displaying the championship trophy to more than 1 million onlookers. While original crowd estimates said about a million people were likely to be in attendance, people at the scene are estimating the crowd is larger.
Mufaro Mutuswa of Billerica said she was excited for the parade to come through.
“Right now, it’s very hot but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Mutuswa said
Mutuswa also said she is a Celtics fan because of her Boston pride, and because she likes winning.
“I like to be a part of this,” Mutuswa said. “This is absolutely amazing, it’s always worth it in the end.”
What’s the ‘Don’t stop disbelieving’ slogan on Jayson Tatum’s shirt?
The slogan refers to how many sports pundits doubted Tatum’s ability to lead the team to a championship during the past year. The t-shirt is a symbol that Tatum has apparently embraced those who don’t believe in him.
What time does Celtics parade start?
The parade will be at 11 a.m. That’s the time the parade has started to celebrate recent Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics wins.
Celtics Parade Route 2024
The parade is set to begin at the front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, then roll by City Hall Plaza on Cambridge Street and the along Boston Common on Tremont Street before ending by the Hynes Convention Center on Boylston Street.
How long is the Celtics Parade?
The parade route is about two miles long. The event is expected to last about two hours.
Hynes Convention Center area starts to fill with fans
With the parade about to start, fans are lining the streets in their Championship gear.
Steve Gladstone of Needham said he’s been a Celtics fan all his life.
“It’s awesome to spend time with my son and be able to celebrate a Celtics championship,” Gladstone said.
He said that his children have been spoiled by so many Celtics wins.
“It used to be the city who’s always expecting a loss,” Gladstone said. “Now, we’re ready to win every year.”
Fans heading to Boston to watch Celtics parade
Waves of green hit Union Station Friday morning as sports fans from across Central Massachusetts began the trip to Boston to celebrate the Celtics first championship title in 16 years.
“I bleed green,” Wilson Montalvo, 44, of Worcester said as he flexed his “Boston strong” tattoo and showed off his hat with a 508 area code.
Celtics Parade:In Worcester, Celtics fans board trains to get a look at champ-filled duck boats
Where to get Boston Celtics merch
If you’re looking for the bucket hat Luke Kornet wore in interviews earlier today, you can buy it online at the NBA Celtics store here.
Other popular items include the gold-trimmed “Champions Boston Celtics” t-shirt for $40, the white gold-trimmed snapback for $39. The lineup includes everything from sock and shoes, to pendants and flags, to shirts and jerseys, and hats as well.
Other items up for grabs:
- Replica Larry O’Brien trophies are on sale online for about $100.
- Autographed jerseys are going for $1000 to $2000 in price, whereas balls autographed by Jayson Tatum are priced around $800.
- To purchase Celtics merchandise in-person, you can go to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Champs, or any stores that sell sports apparel and memorabilia in Massachusetts.
Officials celebrate the Celtics
Ahead of the parade stepping off, state leaders thanked the Celtics team for the pride they brought to Boston.
“We are in love with this team because it is a team. And they had given us so much, ” Governor Maura Healey, who was a professional basketball player, said. “And here’s the thing about basketball, the team game, everybody’s gotta roll, everybody’s got a part. Some nights it was different person stepping up, but they got it done as a team.”
As great as they are on the court, she said they are even better off the court.
She told people to “show love and appreciation not just for the trophy, but for what they give to community, to the state, to the region. They are role models. They are leaders. And today we’re going to party and celebrate the Boston Celtics,” she said.
Celtics players do Q&A before parade starts
Before heading out on the Duck Boats, members of the Boston Celtics gathered at TD Garden for a Q&A forum, hosted by former Celtic and current broadcaster Brian Scalabrine.
Players had the chance to comment on winning the championship.
“These guys were ready for that moment,” said center Al Horford. “I’m happy we were able to get it done.”
“I’m glad on this side now, ” added guard Jrue Holliday. He noted when he first arrived to the team this year, he “knew that we had something special.”
Guard Derrick White commented, “We didn’t want to skip any steps…we knew what the end goal was.”
Center Kristaps Porzingis said he was upset that he got hurt before being able to help the team wrap up the championship series.
“It was heartbreaking for me,” he said. “We took care of business.”
“Whatever it took for us to win, that’s what we were willing to do,” Shooting guard Jalen Brown added.
“It starts from the top down,” said forward Jayson Tatum, on how the players function on the court, citing Horford as his prime example of inspiration.
How many championship parades have used the duck boats?
The duck boats have been used for championship parades in Boston since 2002. The Boston Duck Boat website states, “Boston Duck Tours, over the years, has had the honor and pleasure of hosting four of Boston’s sports teams in Rolling Rally Championship parades 12 different times.”
According to the website, with duck boats “players could stand on, and wave to the crowds below. It was close enough to get these players right up to their fans. But, also far enough to keep them from being mobbed by the crowds.”
Boston’s duck boats are famous:What’s their history?
How to get to the Celtics parade, Boston T Map
Officials are strongly advising that people take public transportation to the parade, as there are a number of parking bans and street closures in effect.
For the event, the MBTA had increased service on on the subway and on the commuter rail. Here’s what the MBTA says:
- Green Line will operate at peak frequency with trains operating about every 6-8 minutes
- Orange Line trains will operate every 7-8 minutes
- Red Line trains will operate every 6-7 minutes between Alewife and JFK/UMass and every 13-14 minutes on the Ashmont and Braintree Branches
- Blue Line trains will operate every 5-6 minutes.
- Commuter Rail is operating on a modified schedule. Find the details here.
Find a Boston T Map here.
Riders are strongly encouraged by officials to purchase roundtrip fares the morning of the parade.
Celtics Parade Boston weather forecast
After a stretch of record-breaking heat, the weather is looking a bit cooler in Boston today. As of 7 a.m. temperatures were in the mid-70s, which is what officials were hoping for when they delayed the parade a few days to get past the heat wave.
The National Weather Service says during the parade temperatures could have a Real Feel in the mid-80s. People have been advised to dress for the weather and stay hydrated.
While there is a chance of thunderstorms today, NWS has said they expect it to stay dry in Boston for the Celtics parade.
What items are banned from the Celtics parade?
The following is prohibited at Championship parade:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Large bags, coolers or glass containers
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), commonly referred to as “drones,” along the parade route
- Weapons of any kind (or replicas of such)
- Fireworks
Where can I watch the Celtics Parade on television, streaming?
The parade can be seen on the NBA Channel, the NBA Channel app and on NBC Sports Boston. Although the parade officially starts at 11 a.m. the broadcast will begin on all platforms at 9:30 a.m. You can also see the parade on:
- NBC 10 (NBC Boston) starting at 5 a.m.
- WCVB Channel 5 (ABC) starting at 10 a.m.
- WFXT (FOX 25) starting at 11 a.m.
- WBZ Channel 4 (CBS) starting at 11 a.m.
You can watch a livestream on Youtube here.
Are there parking restrictions for the Celtics parade?
According to the City of Boston website, the following parking restrictions apply:
- Causeway Street, Both sides from North Washington Street to Merrimac Street
- Staniford Street, Both sides from Causeway Street to Cambridge Street
- Cambridge Street, Both sides from Staniford Street to Tremont Street
- Tremont Street, Both sides from Cambridge Street to Boylston Street
- Boylston Street, Both sides from Washington Street to Massachusetts Avenue
Additional parking restrictions are as follows according to Wicked Local media partner WCVB Channel 5:
- Charles Street South, Both sides from Park Plaza to Boylston Street
- Charles Street, Both sides from Beacon Street to Boylston Street
- Arlington Street, Both sides from Newbury Street to Saint James Avenue
- Berkeley Street, Both sides from Saint James Avenue to Newbury Street
- Clarendon Street, Both sides from Saint James Avenue to Newbury Street
- Dartmouth Street, Both sides from Newbury Street to Saint James Avenue
- Exeter Street, Both sides from Newbury Street to Blagden Street
- Fairfield Street, Both sides from Boylston Street to Newbury Street
- Gloucester Street, Both sides from Boylston Street to Newbury Street
- Hereford Street, Both sides from Boylston Street to Newbury Street
- Cambria Street, Both sides, from Boylston Street to end at Hynes Center garage
- Scotia Street, Both sides, from Saint Cecilia Street to Dalton Street
- Saint Cecilia Street, Both sides, from Belvidere Street to Boylston Street
- Dalton Street, Both sides, from Belvidere Street to Boylston Street
- Providence Street, Both sides, from Arlington Street to Berkeley Street
- West Street, Both sides, from Washington Street to Tremont Street
- Temple Place, Both sides, from Washington Street to Tremont Street
- Bromfield Street, Both sides, from Washington Street to Tremont Street
- Park Street, Both sides, from Tremont Street to Beacon Street
- Beacon Street, Both sides, from Somerset Street to Tremont Street
- School Street, Both sides, from Tremont Street to Province Street
- Somerset Street, Both sides, from Ashburton Place to Cambridge Street
- New Chardon Street, Both sides, from Cambridge Street to Merrimac Street (Congress Street)
- Bowdoin Street, Both sides, from Dern Street to Cambridge Street
- New Sudbury Street, Both sides, from Cambridge Street to Hawkins Street
- Congress Street, Both sides, from New Sudbury Street to State Street
- State Street, Both sides, from Congress Street to Court Street
- Court Street, Both sides, from Washington Street to Cambridge Street
- New Chardon Street, Both sides, from Cambridge Street to Merrimac Street (Congress Street)
- Staniford Street, Both sides, from Cambridge Street to Merrimac Street
- Lomasney Way, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Nashua Street
- Lancaster Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Merrimac Street
- Portland Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Valenti Way
- Friend Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Valenti Way
- Canal Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Valenti Way
- Haverhill Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Valenti Way
- Beverly Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to Valenti Way
- Medford Street, Both sides, from Causeway Street to North Washington Street
- Plympton Street, Both sides, from Albany Street to Harrison Avenue
- East Dedham Street, Both sides, from Harrison Avenue to Albany Street
Parking restrictions will end after the parade is over.
How many championships do the Celtics have?
The latest championship banner makes a total of 18. The team earned its first banner in 1957.
Boston has won titles in: 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008 and 2024.
What members of the Celtics are on the 2024 U.S. Olympic basketball team?
They are Jrue Holliday and Jayson Tatum.
Celtics color: What to the Boston Celtics wear green?
The Boston Celtics colors are Celtics green, Celtics gold, Celtics brown, white, and black, according to the NBA Channel.
According to colorpsychology.org, “The green echoes the pride of Boston’s Irish community and the idea of continuous growth and ambition, much like the city itself. White represents unity and integrity, key ingredients to the team’s approach to the game. The gold, used sparingly, is a nod to the many triumphs and high standards the Celtics have set over the years.”
