New England Travel

From reenactments to battle walks to parades and block parties.

The Lexington Minute Men march onto the Lexington Battle Green. Lexington Minute Men

The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, which marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War, will be celebrated this weekend along with the nation’s semiquincentennial.

“On the heels of last year’s wildly successful 250th anniversary of Battle of Lexington events, we are pleased to share that many of those same events will be making their way back to Lexington this Patriots’ Day weekend,” said Lexington Minute Men Captain Commanding Stephen Cole, in a statement.

Events include reenactments, battle walks, parades, historic house tours, and more.

“It is an honor to be able to preserve and amplify the stories of the men and women who ignited our nation over 250 years ago,” said Cole. “Sharing their courage with the community is how we succeed in our mission of never letting our Nation’s history fade.”

Ahead, check out many of the events taking place in Lexington and Concord this weekend:

Friday, April 17

7:45 to 9 p.m.: Patriot Vigil at North Bridge in Concord

The path from the North Bridge Visitor Center to the North Bridge will be lighted with 122 luminaries to honor those who lost their lives in the battle. The event will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and the names of the soldiers who gave their lives will be read.

8 p.m.: April VO250 Arch Lighting in Lexington

Watch as more bulbs on the VO250 Arch are lit in recognition of community-wide volunteer service. Each set of bulbs on the arch represents 20,000 hours of volunteer service by community members.

9 p.m.: Paul Revere’s Ride Reenactment at Hancock-Clarke House in Lexington

The Lexington Minute Men, in partnership with Lexington History Museums, will reenact Paul Revere’s historic ride from Boston to the Lexington home of Reverend Jonas Clarke to alert Patriot leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the upcoming British raid. Visitors should park at 57 Bedford St. because Hancock Street will be closed for the event. 

Saturday, April 18

5:15 to 7:30 a.m.: Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington in Lexington

The Lexington Minute Men will perform the famous historic reenactment of the Battle of Lexington at 5:15 a.m., including the civilian evacuation, on the Lexington Battle Green. It will begin with the ringing of the alarm and conclude with the British arrival and Parker’s Revenge, as well as Captain John Parker’s rallying speech to the troops. 

5:30 to 10 a.m.: Troop 160’s annual Patriots Day Pancake Breakfast at St. Brigid Church in Lexington

Enjoy a helping of pancakes before the day’s festivities. The pancake breakfast costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.

8 a.m.: Lions Club 112th Patriots Day 5-mile Road Race in Lexington

The starting line is the Battle Green, between Via Lago Restaurant and Cary Library, and the race starts with the traditional firing of muskets.

9 a.m.: U.S.S. Lexington Ceremonies at Lexington Visitor’s Center

Visit the memorial that commemorates the role played by the U.S.S. Lexington ships and honor those who served aboard the six vessels named U.S.S. Lexington.

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Explore historic homes in Concord

Explore Hartwell Tavern, the William Smith House, and the Colonel James Barrett House and chat with living history interpreters dressed in eighteenth century attire.

10:30 a.m. to noon: Battle of Tower Park in Lexington

The Lexington Minute Men will recreate one of the running battles at Tower Park at 1157 Massachusetts Ave. The British troops will arrive at Munroe Tavern at 10:30 a.m. and set up a field hospital, as they did in 1775. At 11:00 a.m., Percy’s relief will arrive with cannon fire to assist the British in their retreat back to Boston. From 11:15 a.m. to noon, Captain Parker’s company will push the British out of Lexington toward Boston.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Artillery demonstration at North Bridge Visitor Center in Concord

Between September 1774 and April 1775 the Patriot forces moved plenty of cannon from the coast to inland stockpiles, including a place in Concord. The demonstration’s firing will depend on the weather and cannon crew.

11 a.m. Patriots Day Bell Concert at Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington

The Handbells Choirs of Hancock Church will celebrate Patriots Day with a family-friendly program of American music that spans 250 years and includes marches by Sousa, traditional folk songs and hymns, and more.

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Patriots Day Parade in Lexington

Reenactment groups, marching bands, and more, will take part in the annual Patriots Day Parade through Lexington, which will step off at the intersection of Maple and Massachusetts Avenue, go through Lexington Center, and end at Worthen Road.

2 p.m.: Hartwell Tavern in Concord

Living history interpreters will describe the incredible efforts of the people to build a Massachusetts Army in 1775.

3 p.m.: Hartwell Tavern in Concord

Learn about the Massachusetts Militia of 1775 and see if you have what it takes to be an 18th century militia soldier.

The British Regulars fired their muskets during the re­enactment of the Battle of Lexington on the town green in April 2023. Joanne Rathe/Globe Staff

Sunday, April 19

5:45 a.m.: Muster at Buttrick Hillside; 6 a.m. Dawn salute in Concord

Following the 5:45 a.m. muster, church bells at the First Parish will toll at 6 a.m. to sound the alarm before Dr. Prescott arrives at the North Bridge after his warnings that the Regulars are marching toward Concord. The Concord Minutemen will fire salutes and the Concord Independent Battery will fire several volleys from the field at the Old Manse.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Battle Road in Concord

The Lexington Minute Men will participate in several events at the Old North Bridge in Concord, including reenactments of the Battle of Elm Brook Hill and the Battle of Parker’s Revenge at the Minute Men National Historical Park in Lincoln. The events begin with the North Bridge Immersive Program at 8:30 a.m., followed by the reenactment of the Battle of Elm Brook Hill at 11 a.m. Then guests can watch the Battle of Parker’s Revenge at 2:30 p.m. at the Minute Men National Historical Park.

8:30 a.m.: North Bridge Real Time Battle Walk in Concord

Attend a one-hour ranger-led battle walk that commemorates the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in real time. Visitors will explore the story of the North Bridge and the soldiers who fought and died there 251 years ago.

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: British Army Camp Followers Display Open in Concord

Head over to Minute Man Visitor Center to join living history volunteers as they discuss the experiences of civilians following the British Army during its campaigns in North America.

10 a.m.: Caught in the Storm of War: The Civilian Experience at William Smith House in Concord

Learn about the stories of non-combatants on April 19, 1775, who struggled to protect their families from the horrors of war.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Elm Brook Hill Immersive Battle Walk in Concord

Go on an immersive battle walk through the fighting around Elm Brook Hill on April 19, 1775 and learn about recent archaeological investigations. The distance is roughly 1 mile and will include musket firing. Bring water and sturdy walking shoes.

1:30 p.m.: Care of the Wounded at Hartwell Tavern in Concord

Learn the harrowing stories about those who cared for the wounded after the fighting ended on April 19, 1775.

2:30 p.m.: Parker’s Revenge Immersive Battle Walk in Concord

Gather at the site of Parker’s Revenge on April 19, 1775 for an immersive battle walk and learn about recent archaeological investigations. Participants will cover a loop of about half a mile along the Battle Road Trail and the walk will include musket firing. Bring water and sturdy walking shoes.

4 p.m.: Royal Artillery Firing Demonstration at Trainor Field near Minute Man Visitor Center in Concord

Join park rangers and volunteers as they talk through the key role British Artillery played on April 19, 1775. The program will include an artillery firing demonstration.

Monday, April 20

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Free admission to Concord Museum

Visitors will enjoy family activities and food trucks, view the original Paul Revere lantern, explore the new special exhibition “Revolutionary Legacies,” and experience a living history minutemen encampment with the Billerica Colonial Minutemen and Acton Minutemen.

9 a.m.: Patriots Day Parade in Concord

Reenactment groups, marching bands, local dignitaries, and more will take part in the annual Patriots Day Parade through Concord. Watch Check out the parade route.

9:30 a.m.: Ye Old Burial Ground Ceremony in Lexington

The Lexington Minute Men will fire two musket volleys as two wreaths are laid at the grave of the British Soldier and Captain Parker’s Memorial. 

10 a.m.: Daughters of the American Revolution wreath-laying ceremony in Lexington

The Daughters of the American Revolution will lay wreaths at the Lexington Minute Men monument and the obelisk next to Lexington Battle Green, which is the oldest war memorial in the nation and honors the eight men who died in the Battle of Lexington. 

11 a.m.: Living History at Lexington History Museums

Explore four unique sites from Lexington History Museums after going on a scavenger hunt around the Battle Green. Meet living historians at Buckman Tavern to learn more about the ordinary people of 1775, hear the viewpoint of the British Redcoats at Munroe Tavern, and find out more about 18th century Black community at the Hancock-Clarke House

Noon to 4 p.m.: Block party in Concord

Guests can enjoy live music, food trucks, community booths, family activities, performances, and a beer garden on Main Street.

3 p.m.: Patriots Day Battle: CCHS/Lexington Baseball game at Emerson Field in Concord

A tradition between the 1940s and 1970s, the game has been revived and all are welcome.

Tuesday, April 21

11 a.m.: Naturalization ceremony in Lexington

A group of Americans will become formally naturalized as American citizens on the Town Common. There will be an opening address, the music company will play fife and drum music, and the Color Guard will present the colors.