Ongoing
Lexington Visitors Center: View diorama of Battle of Lexington and shop for Lexington gift items. 1875 Massachusetts Ave., across from Cary Library, 781-862-1450. Public restrooms
Saturday, April 7
Pole Capping: 10:30 a.m. Bedford. The Bedford Minuteman Company will lead a march down Great Road in Bedford, from Bedford Town Common to Wilson Park on Concord Road. At Wilson Park, they will mount a Liberty Pole and a member of the militia will scale the pole and place a knitted cap on the top as a defiant act against British rule. Redcoats will then show up and apprehend the troublemaker, and give a lecture to nearby colonists about the perils of defying King George III. Head over to Bedford High School after for a lunch of hot dogs and beans.
The Lincoln Minute Men: 3 p.m., Lincoln. Joined by other re-enactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute at 3 p.m. at the Paul Revere Capture Site in Lincoln
Meriam's Corner: 1 p.m., Lexington. Parade from Ripley Building to Meriam's Corner. Speeches, cannon fire by Concord Independent Battery, Meriam descendants at the Meriam House at the corner of Old Bedford and Lexington roads, etc. Annual commemoration of skirmish between Redcoats and minutemen after the British retreated from Old North Bridge.
Sunday, April 8
The Dress Rehearsal for the Battle of Lexington reenactment: 2 p.m. on the Battle Green, Lexington Center. This is the dress rehearsal for the Patriots Day re-enactment of the skirmish of April 19. 1775. Rain date: Saturday, April 7th at 2:00 pm
Saturday, April 14
Tough Ruck and Captain Brown’s Company of Minute Men: 7 a.m., Concord. Step off at The Old Manse field, adjacent to North Bridge in Concord, as Minute Man National Historical Park hosts the "Tough Ruck," military personnel marching in memory of fallen soldiers. Come out and support soldiers and veterans in this 26.2-mile hike along the historic Battle Road Trail. The ruck will kick off with a musket volley from the North Bridge. Call 978-396-6993 or visit nps.gov/MIMA.
Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster: 10:30 a.m., at Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading (portrayed by Park Volunteer Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775.
Visit Whittemore House: 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m., behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A Lexington. 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.
1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps 11:30 a.m., at the outdoor amphitheater, Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Listen to military music of the American Revolution and get into the spirit of Patriots’ Day.
Caught in the Storm of War: Civilians of April 19: 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Captain William Smith House, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. What would you take with you if you had to leave your home in a hurry, uncertain of your return? Learn about the local civilians on April 19, 1775. Once the refugees leave the Smith house, you may encounter them along the Battle Road Trail heading towards Lexington and the Minute Man Visitor Center just prior the the Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration.
Parker’s Revenge Battle Demonstration: 1 p.m. at Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Hundreds of British and colonial re-enactors will engage in a tactical weapons demonstration with musket firing and fast-paced battle action along a stretch of the actual Battle Road of 1775. Park staff will be on hand to direct you to parking and viewing areas.
Junior Ranger Days: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St. in Concord. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 4 and older.
Patriots’ Ball: 7 p.m. to midnight, Concord. The Concord Museum hosts the Patriots’ Ball at the National Guard Armory, 91 Everett St. in Concord. In keeping with the over 200-year-old Concord celebration, guests will be invited to participate in Patriots’ Ball traditions including the drum-off between the Concord Minutemen and the 1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps. A festive Grand March parade from the Armory to First Parish Church will culminate in a midnight re-enactment of Dr. Samuel Prescott’s fateful horse ride into Concord – to warn residents that the British soldiers were coming. Festivities will also included food and beverages, and entertainment by The Hip Replacements. To purchase tickets and for information visit concordmuseum.org or call 978-369-9763 ext. 216.
Battle Green Guided Tours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lexington. Official Lexington Battle Green Guides in Colonial clothing offer informal tours, history, visitor information and directions throughout the day. View one of the oldest war memorials in the country where the remains of 7 of the 8 Militia who died on the Battle Green on April 19th are buried. tourlexington.us (Free)
Buckman Tavern Tours 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., One Bedford St., Lexington. Self-paced audio tours available. Admission tickets available at the house. lexingtonhistory.org
Parker’s Revenge: 1 p.m., Lexington. Lexington Minute Men gather on the Lexington Battle Green to re-enact the second call to arms from Captain Parker with additional dialogue from Reverend Jonas Clarke. Following this event, the Minute Men will march to Fiske Hill before continuing on to Parker’s Revenge site in the Minute Man National Park. Free
Hancock-Clarke House Tours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 36 Hancock St., Lexington. Guided tours available every half hour. Admission tickets available at the house.lexingtonhistory.org
Liberty Ride Tours: Lexington. A unique 90-minute trolley tour of the historic Battle Road. Purchase tickets and board at the Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington Center at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets available online at libertyride.us $$
Munroe Tavern Tours: Noon to 4 p.m., 1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington. Self-guided tours available. Admission tickets available at the house. lexingtonhistory.org
Parker’s Revenge Wreath Laying Ceremony: Noon, Lexington. Parker’s Revenge site on the Battle Road near the Minute Man National Park Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm Free
Parker’s Revenge: 1 p.m. A skirmish at The Bluff on the Battle Road at the intersection of Old Massachusetts Avenue and Route 2A. 1 p.m. nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm Free
Concert at Tower Park: 3 p.m., Lexington. Lexington’s own William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps and special guests Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, Williamsburg VA, will perform together at Tower Park. Free. williamdiamondjrs.org, history.org/history/fifeanddrum/about/cfm
Tower Park Battle: 4 p.m., Lexington. Follow the British retreat as they fight the Colonial militia. Massachusetts Avenue opposite Pelham Road, Lexington. 4 p.m. lexingtonminutemen.com Free
Sunday, April 15
“A Single Blow” The Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Beginning of the American Revolution: 1:30-3:30 p.m., Lexington. Book Signing Authors Phillip Greenwalt and Rob Orrison will be presenting and signing copies of their book. The first release in the Emerging Revolutionary War series. Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, in co-sponsorship with the Lexington Historical Society and Lexington Visitors Center (781-862-1450). Free lecture.
“House of Hancock”: 7 p.m., Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. History at Play presents a new revolutionary musical weaving together the life of John Hancock with the thrill of Broadway’s Hamilton. Tickets available online and at Buckman Tavern. www.lexingtonhistory.org
Buckman Tavern Tours 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. One Bedford St., Lexington. Self-paced audio tours available. Admission tickets available at the house. lexingtonhistory.org
Hancock-Clarke House Tours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 36 Hancock St., Lexington. Guided tours available every half hour. Admission tickets available at the house. lexingtonhistory.org
Liberty Ride Tours Lexington. A unique 90-minute trolley tour of the historic Battle Road. Purchase tickets and board at the Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington Center at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm & 2:30 pm. Tickets available online at libertyride.us $$
Paul Revere Ride Re-enactment: 11:30 p.m., Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock St., Lexington. A re-enactment of the arrival of Paul Revere at the Hancock-Clarke House. Admission is free. lexingtonhistory.org
"Fun Run" Patriots' Day Road Race 8:45 a.m., Arlington. The Boys and Girls Club of Arlington is sponsoring the 54th annual "Fun Run." The 2.5-mile event is open to all Arlington residents and members of the Boys and Girls Club. The race will begin at the Arlington/Lexington line on Massachusetts Avenue. Participants will run down Massachusetts Avenue towards the center of town. For information visit abgclub.org/home.
Menotomy Battle Re-enactment: Noon, Arlington. On April 19, 1775, the Jason Russell House was the site of the bloodiest encounter in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. Eleven colonials were killed during the skirmish; bullet holes still show in the cellar, parlor, and guest room. Two Redcoats were also killed. Russell and nine of the colonial dead were buried in the nearby Old Burying Ground, where an obelisk was erected to their memory in 1818. This battle re-enactment will take place at the Jason Russell House, 7 Jason St., Arlington. This event is free to the public.
Patriots' Day Parade: 2 p.m., Arlington. The parade will proceed down Massachusetts Avenue from Brattle Street in Arlington Heights to Adams Street in East Arlington. The main reviewing stand will be located at Town Hall. Use the hashtag #ArlPats to post your photos and follow the parade on social media. Parade is rain or shine and free to the public.
Warlike preparations and the search of the Col. James Barrett House in Concord: 1 to 4 p.m. 455 Barrett's Mill Road, Concord. In 1775, Colonel James Barrett of Concord was responsible for safeguarding all the military supplies in town and his house was searched by British soldiers during their mission to Concord. Visit the Barrett House and experience the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War. At 3 p.m. British soldiers will arrive to conduct a search of the house for military supplies.
Revolutionary Dogs: "Paws for the Cause!" 2 p.m. at Minute Man Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington. Join Park Ranger Roger Fuller for a walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America and in the Revolution. The 45-minute walk starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and is open to all, including well-behaved dogs on a leash.
Monday, April 16
Stow Minuteman re-enact Patriots Day: 4:15 a.m. The Stow Minuteman Company will march along the 9.5 mile route taken by the Stow colonial militia in April 1775 upon hearing the news that the British Regulars were marching on Concord. The pre-dawn Trail March muster starts at 4:15 a.m., at the Stow Lower Village Shopping Center. The music and marching begins at 4:30 a.m. The Company will march in step to its own colonial fife and drum music while the sounds of musket volleys raise the alarm with the townsfolk along the way. At around 9 a.m., the Trail March will end at the Minuteman National Park North Bridge Visitors Center where the Company will participate in Concord’s Battle at Old North Bridge Ceremony and Parade. A breakfast will be held at Rideout Playground in Concord at 7 a.m. Email info@stowminutemen.org; call 978-206-1775; or visit stowminutemen.org.
Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade: 8:45 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. British re-enactors will be joined by the local Minutemen companies for a special commemoration of the North Bridge Fight featuring musket volleys. The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m. NOTE: All of the roads in the center of Concord are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.
“The Alarm” at the Old Belfry: 5:30 a.m., Belfry Hill, Massachusetts Avenue at Clarke Street across from the Battle Green, Lexington. Come ring the bell that sounded the alarm that the British were coming. Free
Re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington on the Battle Green 5:30 a.m. Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street, Lexington. lexingtonminutemen.com
Buckman Tavern Walk Through Tours 6-8 a.m., One Bedford Street, Lexington. Walk through the rooms of the historic tavern (interpreters present). Admission tickets available at the house. Adults $3/Children $1. lexingtonhistory.org
Pancake Breakfasts: 6 to 10 a.m., Lexington. Boy Scout Troop #160 at St. Brigid Church, 2001 Massachusetts Ave.; First Baptist Church of Lexington, 1580 Mass. Ave. (across from Police Station); The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St.. All proceeds to benefit LexRAP (Lexington Refugee Assistance Program)
Sunrise Youth Parade: 7:30 a.m., Lexington. Starting at Munroe Cemetery driveway, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington center onto the Battle Green. Free
First Shot! Film Screening and Q & A with British and Colonial Re-enactors: Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. Tickets available at the door. 8:00 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Adults $3/ Children $1 lexingtonhistory.org
Patriots’ Day Ceremonies on the Battle Green 8:15 a.m. Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street, Lexington. Free
Lexington Lions Club 104th Annual Five-Mile Road Race 10 a.m. Starting/ending on Massachusetts Avenue at the Battle Green, Lexington. For more information, call 781-862-2534 or visit www.lexingtonlions.org
Lexington Minute Men/DAR Wreath Laying Ceremony 10:30 a.m., at the Obelisk On the Battle Green, Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. 1Free
USS Lexington Memorial Ceremonies 11 a.m., Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave, adjacent to the Buckman Tavern. Free lexingtonlions.org
Annual Patriots’ Day Handbell Concert of Patriotic and American Music 11:15 a.m. to noon, Lexington. The concert is family-friendly and includes music played on five octaves of hand bells and six octaves of hand chimes. Broadway hits such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” American ragtime, spirituals, and patriotic songs. Suggested donation of $3 per person to benefit the Russell School in Dorchester. Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave. (the stone church across from the Battle Green)
“What Really Happened That Day” Noon, Lexington. Lexington Minute Man Dan Fenn gives a half-hour talk on what really happened on April 19, 1775. First Parish Church, Seven Harrington Road. Free
Concert on the Green: Noon, Lexington. Special guests Westfield High School Shamrock Pride Marching Band, Westfield, Indiana will perform at the Green. Free.
Float Judging: Noon, Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington.
Paul Revere Arrives at the Battle Green on Horseback: 1 p.m., Lexington. Greeted by the Board of Selectmen and the Lexington Minute Men.
Patriots’ Day Afternoon Parade: 2 p.m., Lexington. Starting at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the town pool parking lot.
Wednesday, April 18
The Patriot Vigil 7:50 to 8:45 p.m. at North Bridge, Concord. As darkness descends upon the North Bridge battlefield come and reflect on the events of April 19, 1775 and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony will feature a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of Patriots who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April. Note: To participate in the procession, bring an enclosed real candle lantern. (No flashlights or LED bulbs in the procession.)
Thursday, April 19
Dawn Salute 6 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord.The Concord Minute Men and the Concord Independent Battery observe the opening battle of the American Revolution with a 21-gun musket and cannon salute.
Remembering the Ladies: 10 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. In commemoration of the brave Daughters of Liberty, the Molly Cutthroats, a living history group dedicated to the role of women in the Revolution, will fire a ceremonial volley of musketry from North Bridge.
Arrival of the Sudbury Militia 11:30 a.m. at North Bridge, Concord. The Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minutemen will make their annual march to North Bridge from the town of Sudbury, in honor of their fellow townsmen who made a similar march on April 19, 1775. They will fire three musket volleys from North Bridge as a soldierly salute.
Sons of the American Revolution, Henry Knox Color Guard noon at North Bridge, Concord. The Henry Knox Color Guard will fire three volleys from North Bridge in honor of our Revolutionary Forbearers.
Saturday, April 21
Junior Ranger Days 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Minute Man National Historical Park Visitor Center, Route 2A, Lexington and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St. in Concord. Earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet. This is a fun way to learn and explore Minute Man National Historical Park while completing the pages in the booklet. When you are finished, show your work to a Ranger to earn your new badge. Receive your badge and take your oath at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 4 and older.
After the Battle - The War Has Begun 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hartwell Tavern, 136 North Great Road, Lincoln. War between the people of Massachusetts and Governor Gage and the British regulars has just broken out. Thousands of men are preparing to leave home for the front lines around Boston. Whole communities are faced with numerous challenges demanded by this frightening new reality. Step back into the year of 1775 and get involved. Admission: Recommended donation: $5; $10 per family. Children wearing a Junior Ranger badge will be admitted free.
Alarm Letter on View Saturday, March 24 – Saturday, April 21 Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington Couriers delivered the news of the conflict at Lexington throughout the colonies soon after the event. One of the letters that helped spread the news will be displayed at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in March and April. Joseph Palmer, a member of the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, sent the first urgent missive by messenger Israel or Isaac Bissell in the late morning of April 19, 1775. Bissell rode to Connecticut and perhaps further. Recipients duplicated Palmer’s letter several times to carry the news far and wide. Daniel Tyler of Connecticut penned the Museum’s copy of Palmer’s letter, probably on April 20, 1775. For further information, call 781-861-6559 or visit srmml.org.