Boston Celtics fans cheer for TV cameras at Copley Square before the duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
The day is here, Celtics fans. After 16 years of waiting for another title, the Celtics finally earned their historic 18th banner, and now it’s time to party in their honor with a championship parade.
Fans started staking out spots early Friday morning ahead of the 11 a.m. duck boat roll-out. From the West End to Back Bay, crowds of people could be seen in various shades of green or Celtics gear.
Many restaurants and bars along or near the parade route also opened up early to serve revelers themed specials like a Courtside cocktail from Alcove, pistachio pastries from Bakey, or Jack’s Abby Banner City lagers at Dillon’s.
As the parade and festivities take over downtown Boston, below we’ll showcase the special moments throughout the day, from fan revelry and players on duck boats to sightings of that shiny championship trophy.
A Boston Celtics banner flies above the crowd in Copley Square along the route of the parade celebrating the teams NBA basketball championship, Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Elijah Colin, 8, found a place at Boston Common for a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. – Craig F. Walker/Globe StaffFans gather at Boston Common for a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. (Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff) – Craig F. Walker/Globe StaffBrian Babz, right, with Chris Soldani were among the earliest arrivers for the Celtics parade near TD Garden on Friday morning. – Suchita Nayar/Globe StaffJose Alvarado carries a world wrestling championship belt with him at Boston Common prior to a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. – Craig F. Walker/Globe StaffRiley Walters of Hudson, NH cheered during a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A fan wears a green wig in Copley Square along the route of the parade celebrating the Boston Celtics’ NBA basketball championship Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)A view from traffic signal pole by Court Street for a parade attendee during the Celtics championship parade on Friday, June 21, 2024. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff )A fan browses souvenirs in Copley Square before the Boston Celtics NBA basketball championship celebration parade through the city. Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Boston Celtics center Al Horford catches a basketball during the duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff)Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, right, and Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, center, celebrate their NBA basketball championship with a duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Fans climb on the Copley subway station as the Boston Celtics celebrate their NBA basketball championship win with a duck boat parade through the city. Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) holds up the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. Erin Clark/Globe StaffJavonte, 8, of Revere waited for the start of a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)A fan carries a cutout of Jaylen Brown at Boston Common during a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff) Fans on a construction site cheer on the players during a duck boat parade to celebrate the 18th Boston Celtics NBA championship on Friday, June 21, 2024. Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe A fan wearing an altered Kyrie Irving jersey on Boylston Street attends the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)Fans cheer during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)A flag is displayed among confetti during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)A dog stands in confetti on Boylston Street during the Boston Celtics Victory Parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win at TD Garden on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)A fan reacts during the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade following their 2024 NBA Finals win on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
