TD Garden traditions: Songs, chants and Celtics fan rituals explained

One of the most historic venues in sports is the TD Garden. Taking over for the original Boston Garden, the TD Garden has been home to various championship celebrations, thanks to the Celtics and Bruins.

Opened in 1995, the TD Garden is in the heart of Boston. The city has changed over the years, giving fans opportunities to drink, eat and enjoy local entertainment before and after games.

Here’s a breakdown of everything that the TD Garden and surrounding area has to offer.

Signature in-arena moments: When the crowd gets loudest

Right when you enter the TD Garden, fans and arena employees will greet you with “Let’s Go Celtics” chants. Once a game starts, the atmosphere is electric.

Fans can hear the Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” blasting through the speakers. There’s also AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” among other hits.

The passion of the fans makes any experience a great one. The Boston Globe even tested how loud it can get at the TD Garden when the Celtics are in the playoffs, noting that the crowd reached 110 dBA, which is a similar to hearing a chainsaw only inches away.

Regardless of the standings, fans will continue to attend games. When Jayson Tatum got injured against the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, fans still showed up for the Celtics. The Bruins struggled during the 2024-25 season, but there were still supporters in the seats.

“They stick with us through the ups and downs, and that’s something that I’ll always keep close to my heart, even through the tough days,” Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman said (via MassLive). “Seeing people out in public and knowing that they have belief in us as a group, (it) completely shuts out all the noise around us.”

Pregame and postgame routines around North Station

Once you step off the train at North Station, passionate fans are ready to lead you to exciting adventures.

The Hub on Causeway has everything you need — shopping, food and drinks, plus space to simply explore. Top spots to visit include Banners Kitchen & Tap, Hub Hall and The Sports Museum, which includes Heritage Hall.

Following a game, fans can either celebrate a win or distract themselves following a loss by going to entertainment venues like Big Night Live and PLAY Boston.

First-timer tips: Timing, merch and the best photo spots

For the best TD Garden experience, fans should arrive about two hours before a game starts. That way, you won’t miss warmups and the opportunity to explore the TD Garden. It also helps to beat traffic.

If you’re early, there are plenty of opportunities for photos. You can find the statues of Boston legends around the TD Garden, and there are plenty of beautiful views near the arena.

The best place to buy apparel is the Boston ProShop. The official team store located at the Hub on Causeway offers authentic merchandise and customized apparel.