Saturday, April 7

Meriam's Corner Exercise—Concord
The Town of Concord, joined by area minute companies, fife and drum units, and the Concord Independent Battery, pay remembrance to the fight at Meriam's Corner that marked the beginning of the six-hour running battle back to Boston. Tour the Meriam House from 11 am-2 pm. FREE

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Freedom's Way National Heritage Area

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony—Lincoln
The Lincoln Minute Men and the Town of Lincoln, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute. FREE

Saturday, April 14

Junior Ranger Day at Minute Man National Historical Park—Lexington
Kids can have fun exploring Minute Man National Historical Park with a Junior Ranger Day Booklet to guide them. At the end of the day, they can show their work to a Ranger to earn a new badge. FREE

Visit Whittemore House —Lexington
Families can visit Whittemore House, staffed by costumed park volunteers, and discover what life was like in 1775. Try on colonial children's clothing, gather ingredients for a meal, and listen to stories of the Whittemore family and their experience of April 19, 1775. FREE

Parker's Revenge Battle Demonstration—Lexington
Hundreds of British and Colonial reenactors engage in a tactical weapons demonstration showing the running battle that took place along this deadly stretch of road on the border of Lincoln and Lexington. This event involves musket firing and fast-paced battle action. This event takes place on the Battle Road Trail behind the Minute Man Visitor Center, and ample parking is available at Minuteman Regional High School. FREE

Patriots Day Fun—Concord
Stop by the Museum Saturday, Sunday, or Monday to take part in patriotic crafts for families, try on colonial clothing, and and hear gallery talks by museum staff. Explore the Museum's outstanding collection of treasures from April, 1775 including the famous "one, if by land, two, if by sea" Revere lantern. 

Sunday, April 15

Annual Lantern Ceremony—Boston
"One If by land, two if by sea"... The enduring fame of the Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton, Robert Newman, climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land. This fateful event ignited the American Revolution. $40. Register in advance; space is limited.

Paul Revere and William Dawes Midnight Ride Re-enactment—Lexington
Late night, dramatic thrills...fit for bigger kids who can stay up 'til midnight! Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride, as recounted in the not so accurate poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, started in Charlestown with the purpose of alerting John Hancock and Samuel Adams about the departure of the British Regulars from Boston headed West. The Lexington Historical Society along with the Lexington Minute Men and the National Lancers re-create Paul Revere's arrival with William Dawes at midnight at the Hancock- Clarke House, complete with the drama of the reactions of the occupants of the house. 

Monday, April 16

U. S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum at Lexington Green. Photo by SFC Richard Ruddle/CC BY 2.0

Battle Reenactment—Lexington
The Town of Lexington celebrates the start of the American Revolution with a battle reenactment of the early-morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars. The observance starts with the ringing of the bell calling all Minute Men to the Lexington Green to defend Lexington from the approaching Redcoats. Arrive early to get a good location for viewing the battle.

Sunrise Youth Parade—Lexington
A special parade for a variety of youth organizations such as Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League Teams, Youth Soccer, School Bands, etc. The Parade starts at the Munroe Cemetery Driveway and proceeds through Lexington Center and onto the Green. FREE

Concord Patriots Day Parade—Concord
The Concord Patriots Day Parade begins in Concord Center and arrives at the North Bridge around 9:30am, stopping for ceremonies with music and musket and cannon salutes, before returning through town. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30am. FREE

Patriots Day Weekend at the Old Manse—Concord
Families can tour the home of Concord’s Patriot Minister, Reverend William Emerson, chaplain to the Minutemen who fought at the Old North Bridge on April 19, 1775. 

Paul Revere and William Dawes Rides Re-enactments—Boston and Roxbury
Paul Revere arrives at Hanover Street in Boston, and William Dawes arrives at Eliot Square in Roxbury. Both riders depart at the same time, warning the people while on their way to the Lexington Green. FREE

Lexington Afternoon Parade—Lexington
The afternoon parade starts at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeds west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the Town Pool Parking Lot. FREE

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia

Arrival of the Sudbury Militia—Concord
The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute Men arrive at the North Bridge (pictured) after making their annual march from the town of Sudbury. They fire three musket salutes from the North Bridge. FREE

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Kids' Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington —Lexington
​Participants are trained by members of the Lexington Minute Men or His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot prior to re-enacting the Battle of Lexington. 

Post originally published April 2013 and updated April 2014, March 2015, April 2016, March 2017, and March 2018