A guide to celebrating the 250th anniversary of key Massachusetts events that fueled the American Revolution

Boston Globe

12-04-2025

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5:30–7:30 p.m. — Paul Revere House
At the
Open until 9 p.m. —
USS Constitution Museum
At 8 p.m., author and historian J.L. Bell will give a 30-minute talk reflecting on Revere's journey and its historical impact, at Building 22, Charlestown Navy Yard.
6:30-8
p.m. — USS Constitution Museum
Wooden lanterns will be available for those joining a parallel Charlestown parade, which marches to the Navy Yard to welcome Revere upon his arrival.
6:30 p.m. — Boston 250 Launch and 'Revolution's Edge' Performance
A reading of
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7
p.m. — Lantern service at Old North Church
Will include inspirational music, prayer, and a keynote address delivered by historian Heather Cox Richardson. More details available at
8
p.m. — Revere departs
Spectators can gather at North Square to watch Revere's departure and follow him in a lantern-lit parade as he rides to the waterfront.
8:15 p.m. — Lanterns illuminated
Two lanterns will be raised in the steeple of Old North Church — a reenactment of Revere's signal that British forces were advancing toward Lexington and Concord 'by sea.'
8
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8:30 p.m. — Revere crosses Boston Harbor
Spectators at Langone Park's Harborwalk, 529-543 Commercial St., can watch Revere depart the US Coast Guard Station and row across the Charles. At the Charlestown Navy Yard, visitors can greet him at Pier 1 and follow him to Charlestown City Square.
8:30-9
p.m. — Revere arrives in Charlestown
Deacon John Larkin and the Charlestown militia will welcome Revere in Charlestown City Square. City archeologist Joe Bagley will speak on the area's Revolutionary War significance.
9:10 p.m. — Revere departs
Mounted and in full reenactment, Revere will gallop down Main Street shouting, 'The regulars are out!' accompanied by the National Lancers.
9:30 p.m. — Bunker Hill Monument illuminated
To close the night, the National Park Service will light the Bunker Hill Monument's pyramidion, displaying the two flags flown at its 1843 dedication. Illumination will continue nightly through July 4.
Buckman Tavern in Lexington.
Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe
Lexington
5:15 a.m. — Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington
Bright and early at Lexington Battle Green, 1625 Massachusetts Ave., reenactors will recreate the famous battle. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
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8 a.m. — Road race
The 111th Annual Patriots Day 5-Mile Road Race will begin across from Emory Park at Depot Square in Lexington Center. A detailed map can be found at the
9 a.m. — USS Lexington ceremony
Head to the
10 a.m. — Tree dedication
The Lexington chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate a tree to honor the 250th anniversary of the battle. On the lawn behind Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford St.
11 a.m. — Battle Green rededication and appearance by Army250
The
2 p.m. — Patriots Day parade
The parade will stretch over 2.5 miles from Maple Street to Worthen Road along Massachusetts Avenue. It will include nearly 2,700 participants from 125 different units. Marchers will include reenactment groups and and musical performances.
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7 p.m. — Patriots Day concert
The Lexington festivities will conclude with the free Bicentennial Band Concert at Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave., featuring music inspired by the Revolutionary era.
A group visited the Old North Bridge in Minuteman National Historic Park.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Concord
6
a.m. — Dawn salute at the North Bridge
The day begins at the location of the 'shot heard 'round the world' and the beginning of the War for Independence. Reenactors will muster at Buttrick's Hill after the First Parish bell tolls at 5:45 a.m. A reenactor portraying Dr. Samuel Prescott will arrive at the bridge to warn that the Redcoats are on the march. The ceremony will conclude with musket salutes and cannon volleys from the field at the Old Manse.
8:30 a.m. — Patriots Day Parade
Concord's annual Patriots Day parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. from the corner of Thoreau Street and Hubbard Street. The 3.5-mile route will take marchers through Concord Center, over the North Bridge, and back again.
The parade will be attended by delegations from 11 different cities or towns around the country called Concord, as well as a range of local, state, and federal politicians and foreign dignitaries, including Governor Maura Healey, two four-star generals, and the British consul general to New England, David Clay. President Trump has been invited to the parade but has yet to confirm his attendance, according to Brian Farber, a member of the
9:30 a.m. — North Bridge ceremony
The ceremony will feature a performance of the national anthem, a cannon salute, wreath-laying, and commemorative speeches honoring those who fought and died on the morning of April 19, 1775. British consul general David Clay will place a wreath on the grave of the British soldiers at the North Bridge, while another wreath will be laid at the Minuteman Statue to honor fallen patriots.
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2
p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Block party and beer garden
Block party at Monument Square. Attendees can enjoy various activities, shows, food trucks, and a beer garden at the historic Wright Tavern, at 2 Lexington Rd.
7:30 p.m. — Light drone show
The evening's events will conclude at Monument Square with 'Patriots Light' from 7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m., featuring music and other entertainment. The centerpiece will be a drone show starting at 8:15 p.m., approximately 45 minutes after sunset.
Getting there
Public transit is strongly recommended due to expected heavy traffic, limited parking, and major road closures beginning April 18. Special event schedules will be in effect,
The
Satellite parking lots with shuttle services connecting lots to major event sites will be available in both towns. For details about Lexington services,
Additional resources:
For more information, visit the websites of the
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Nathan Metcalf can be reached at