Traditions and customs in Boston

1. Baseball at Fenway

A civic religion, with the Green Monster and a crowd that knows the game.

• Best time: April to September

2. Boston Marathon

Patriots' Day in April, and the city takes the day off for it.

• Best time: Third Monday in April

3. Academic calendar

Sixty universities; early September and late May reshape the whole city.

4. Irish heritage

The largest Irish-descended population in the US, and it shows in the pubs and politics.

5. Head of the Charles

The world's largest two-day regatta, each October.

• Best time: October