Did you know that every April the Revolutionary War comes to life in Massachusetts? It’s true! On Patriots Day and several weekends in April, local minutemen, militias, and historical societies participate in reenactments of the battles of Lexington and Concord to keep our history alive and pay tribute to those who fought for liberty almost 250 years ago.
It is really quite amazing to see these reenactors all dressed up in authentic period uniforms portraying colonists and British soldiers as they relive history.
Patriots Day is a Massachusetts holiday which commemorates the opening battles of the American Revolution which took place in Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. This annual holiday is observed on the third Monday in April and is celebrated with over 60 events, including parades, historic house tours and reenactment events in Lexington, Concord and surrounding towns including Boston.
The reenactment activities begin a week before Patriots Day and continue through Patriots’ Day and the following week. One thing to note is that the events do not necessarily occur in order of when the original events took place in 1775.
The following are some of the signature reenactment events. To learn about all the Patriots Day reenactment events and activities check out the resources at the end of this page.
Two Weeks Before the Patriot’s Day Weekend
LEXINGTON: Skirmish on Lexington Green (Rehearsal)
The actual reenactment event commemorating the “Shot heard around the world” which occurred on Lexington Green is held on Patriots’ Day. A dress rehearsal for this event is held 1 or 2 weeks before Patriots’ Day during the afternoon, usually around 2pm.
Why would you want to go to the dress rehearsal instead of the actual event you may ask. Well, the official reenactment of the skirmish on Lexington Green begins at 5:30AM! Yes, that is not a typo – it is a 5:30AM start and if you want a good spot, you’re looking at getting there by 4:00AM – the latest! So, if you’re NOT a morning person like myself, going to the rehearsal the week before the actual event is really a great option (or the only option) to be able to experience the reenactment without getting up before dawn!
When I went, I made a day of it and took a tour of the Lexington Green which included a walk to the nearby burying ground. While there was definitely a good crowd for the show, it was far less crowded than it typically gets on Patriots Day. One thing to note is there will not be any gunfire during the rehearsal and officers are not on horseback as during the official event.
History: At dawn on April 19, 1775, 700 British troops arrived in Lexington and came upon 77 militiamen gathered on the town green, kicking off the American Revolution. The British Redcoats fired on the Colonials, killing 8 Colonial men and then continued on to Concord.
Location: Battle Green, Lexington Center
Time: 2:00PM
Parking: There is limited parking along the Lexington Green but if you get there early you may be able to get a spot like I did. There is also a large municipal parking lot between Massachusetts Avenue and the train track (behind CVS).
One Week Before the Patriot’s Day Weekend
CONCORD: Meriam’s Corner Exercise
The Meriam’s Corner Reenactment commemorates the fight that started at Meriam’s Corner which would sent the Redcoats on a 6-hour frantic retreat back to Boston as they endured heavy fire and ambushes from militiamen streaming in from the surrounding towns.
The reenactment starts with a parade from Ripley School to the Meriam House grounds. There is a short ceremony and you’ll hear musket and cannon fire, as well as fife and drum music.
The Nathan Meriam House, built in 1707, stands on the grounds of Meriam Corner. Typically, the house is not open to the public but during the Patriot Day activities it opens to visitors.
History: The British arrived at Meriam’s Corner after retreating from the North Bridge in Concord where they had fought with over 400 Minutemen. By the time they arrived at Meriam’s Corner at 12:30pm, over a thousand Minutemen from dozens of towns had gathered in the area and ambushed the British soldiers along the way. By the end of the day, 49 Colonials and 73 British had been killed and 173 wounded or missing.
Location: Meriam’s Corner on Lexington Road, Concord
Parking: Meriam’s Corner Lot, 751 Lexington Road, Concord
LINCOLN: Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Gather at the Paul Revere Capture site where the Lincoln Minute Men will march down Battle Road and play fife and drum music. Costumed reenactors do a dramatic reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” recounting the events of the night of April 19, 1775, when British troops captured Paul Revere in Lincoln after his midnight ride from Boston.
History: Paul Revere set off on his famous midnight ride on April 18, 1775. After alerting Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington, he continues on to Concord but is captured in Lincoln by British officers.
Location: Paul Revere Capture Site on Rt 2A, Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP), Lincoln
Time: 3:00 pm
Parking: Paul Revere Capture Site: 180 North Great Road, Lincoln, and Minute Man Visitor Center: 210 North Great Road, Lincoln
Saturday of Patriots Day Weekend
On the Saturday before Patriots Day, the Minute Man National Historical Park hosts some of the biggest events of the weekend, including the Hartwell Tavern tours, Smith House demonstrations, and Battle Road Tactical Demonstration.
LINCOLN: Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House, “Caught in the Storm of War: The Civilian Experience”
Head down Battle Road Trail and visit the Hartwell Tavern and the Captain William Smith House where you can meet volunteers portraying Colonial civilians. When these town people heard the sounds of the battle approaching, they quickly left their houses grabbing what they could to escape.
The civilian evacuation scenario begins at the Hartwell Tavern at 11:45 and ends at the Parker’s Revenge site, about 1.5 miles away. Visitors are encouraged to join them to walk along Battle Road Trail toward Lexington and the Minuteman Visitor Center, where they arrive right before the Parker’s Revenge Battle Reenactment.
Parking: Park at the Minuteman Visitor Center and walk along Battle Road Trail by Hartwell house to the Captain William Smith House. Both houses date back before 1775 so you’ll get a glimpse of what life was like at the beginning of the American Revolution. Following the civilian evacuation experience, you will walk back, about 1.5 miles, to the Minuteman Visitor Center to see the Parker’s Revenge Reenactment.
LINCOLN/LEXINGTON: Battle Road Reenactments including Parker’s Revenge
The Parker’s Revenge Reenactment is one of the largest Patriots Day events, featuring hundreds of volunteer reenactors wearing period clothing and uniforms as they portray Colonial Militia and the British Regulars “Redcoats”. Captain Parker’s Lexington militia ambushes British troops near the Lincoln/Lexington line in revenge for the Battle on Lexington Green on the morning of April 19, 1775.
Grab a spot along the route behind the barriers and wait for the battle to make their way toward the Visitor Center. You’ll see hundreds of reenactors make their way down the Battle Road and lots of battle action and musket firing.
Location: Minute Man National Historical Park
Time: Starts at about 12:45 pm and lasts for several hours
Parking: This is a popular event and Park Rangers will be on hand to help direct visitors. Parking is available in lots around the park, including the Minute Man Visitor Center Parking Lot at 210 North Great Road and Hartwell Tavern Parking Area at 112 North Great Road in Lincoln. Springtime in Massachusetts is typically muddy so be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes or boots.
Monday – Official Patriots’ Day Holiday
LEXINGTON: Battle on Lexington Green
The Official Reenactment of the battle on Lexington Green (near Lexington Center) is held on Patriots Day beginning at 5:30 AM. This is an hour later than when the actual battle in 1775 began which was at 4:30AM. Despite the early hour, this is a popular event with 8,000-10,000 spectators lining the Lexington Common so definitely plan to arrive early (4am-5am) to get a good viewing location.
The event begins with the ringing of the Old Belfry bell located on Belfry Hill next to the Lexington Green and a short introduction of how the battle will unfold. The Redcoats begin arriving from the east side of the Green and are intercepted by the Patriots coming from Buckman Tavern. This is when “The Shot heard around the World” occurred igniting the Revolutionary War. The skirmish between the Redcoats and Patriots that day left 8 Minutemen dead and 10 injured. The British Redcoats leave the Lexington Green and head to Concord.
CONCORD: Commemoration of the Battle at North Bridge
British reenactors are joined by the Acton Minutemen and other local companies at the Old North Bridge and reenact the North Bridge battle which includes musket volleys.
NOTE: Beginning at 8:30 AM all roads in the center of town are closed to vehicles to prepare for the Concord Parade. Roads re-open once the parade ends.
The Concord Parade will arrive at North Bridge around 9:30 a.m.
Parking: North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord, and North Bridge Parking Lot, 280 Monument Street, Concord
CONCORD CENTER: Concord’s Patriots’ Day Parade
At 9:00 AM there is a huge parade that kicks off from Concord Center which includes all the Minute Men and Militias from around Massachusetts which met in Concord in 1775, including Concord, Wayland, Acton, Westford, Sudbury, Lincoln, and others. The parade route covers about 2.5 miles and is held rain or shine.
BOSTON: Patriots Day Parade
The Patriots Day Parade in Boston kicks off at Boston City Hall at 9:00AM with a flag raising ceremony. The Parade stops at King’s Chapel Burying Ground to lay a wreath on the tomb of Major William Dawes, who was a member of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company of the Massachusetts Militia, and then continues to Granary Burying Ground to lay a wreath at the grave of Paul Revere. The parade continues towards the North End and arrives at the Paul Revere Mall (aka “The Prado”) around 9:30 AM.
Two members of the National Lancers, portraying Paul Revere and William Dawes begin their horseback rides through Boston and the countryside to Lexington Green. The National Lancers is a volunteer mounted cavalry squadron dating back to 1836. Today anyone can join this official historical unit of the Massachusetts Militia.
Patriots Day in Boston is a BIG deal! In addition to the Patriots Day parade, it is the day for the Boston Marathon so it is very crowded and many streets will be closed or rerouted. Taking public transportation is highly recommended if you plan to attend any Patriot’s Day activities or watch the Boston Marathon.
Patriots’ Day Schedule FAQs
Are the Patriots Day Events always held “rain or shine”?
It depends on the event. Some events are held rain or shine, no matter how bad the weather, to pay tribute to the sacrifices made on April 19, 1775. Other events may be canceled or have a “rain date”. It is best to check the official schedules and use best judgment if there is no policy specified.
Are the tickets required for the Patriots Day reenactments and events?
No, most events are free, including parades, re-enactments, commemorations. Some of the tours of historical houses and taverns do charge a small entrance fee.
Patriots’ Day Schedule Resources
Since Patriot Day events are held throughout many towns, schedule information is available on several websites. It is highly recommended that you confirm dates/times for the events you would like to experience, especially if you think weather conditions might cause cancellations or changes.
- Minute Man National History Park – Comprehensive list of Minute Man Park events, plus others in Concord and Lexington
- Lexington Historical Society: Information about events taking place in Lexington and Historic Houses.
- Lexington Minute Men – Information from a volunteer group honoring America’s Revolutionary history
- Battle Road Events – Good source of Patriots’ Day schedule information around Lexington and Concord – plus, if you need information, perhaps for a school project, about authentic British or Colonial uniforms and other clothing worn at the time of the Revolutionary War, this website links to some excellent sources
- Concord events – Information about events taking place in Concord.
- Paul Revere House events – Many interesting demonstrations, story telling sessions, and reenactments
Visitor Centers
Minute Man Visitor Center – 250 North Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773
- GPS for Minute Man Visitor Center Parking Lot is 210 North Great Road, Lincoln MA 01772 or 42.448798, -71.273326
- The Visitor Center can also be reached by parking in the lot near the Paul Revere Capture site on Route 2A. During Patriots Day events, you’ll see plenty of signs directing where to park.
Lexington Visitor Center – 1875 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420
- Open daily Daily 10AM-2PM
- Tours and Tickets for the Liberty Ride Trolley can be purchased at the Lexington Visitor Center.
North Bridge Visitor Center – 174 Liberty Street, Concord , MA 01742
- The North Bridge Visitor Center is located about 500 yards from the North Bridge battle site
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