Battle of Lexington: Boston Patriots Day Reenactment & Activities 2024

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Dates:	Monday, April 15, 2024 - Monday, April 15, 2024
Hours:	5:05am - 2pm
Ages:	Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free
Category:	Special Events

battle of lexington boston patriots day reenactment activities 2024 photo

Patriot's Day is on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Watch as history unfolds the story of our nation's fight for freedom in Lexington! Celebrations are back to being in person this year, and the week will still be packed with live programming for the whole family.

Rehearsal Dates
Reenactment rehearsal: Saturday, April 6, 2:00 PM

*Rain Dates
*Rehearsal rain date: Sunday, April 7, 2:00PM
*Reenactment rain date: Saturday, April 20 at 5:30 am

Event Highlights

5:05 AM Captain Parker orders Lt. Tidd to drill some of the company: According to historical records, Lieutenant William Tidd typically drilled the Lexington Militia near his house on the North East corner of the Battle Green, near Harrington Road.
Location: Lexington Battle Green

5:15 AM Civilian Evacuation audio plays; Citizens evacuate the Battle Green across Harrington Road: Hearing that a patrol of the British Regular Army was approaching the town, the women and children as well as some men of Lexington left their homes seeking safer places to wait when the British column marched through town.
Location: Lexington Battle Green

5:30 AM 'The Alarm' at the Old Belfry: On April 19th the Belfry was on the Battle Green, where it sounded the alarm which alerted the Lexington militia of the British Redcoats’ arrival.
Location: Belfry Hill, Massachusetts Ave. at Clarke Street

5:30 AM Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington: The central event of Patriots’ Day weekend. The Lexington Minutemen have organized and sponsored the Reenactment since 1971 to recreate the birth of American Liberty on Lexington Common in 1775.

Activities

6:00 AM to 4:00 PM Battle Green Walking Tour: On the one-hour tour, you will explore this National Historic Landmark with our costumed guide. You will learn about the notable sites and historic houses around Lexington Battle Green, where “the first blood was spilt in the dispute with Great Britain,” as George Washington wrote in his diary. It is considered consecrated ground, both for the blood that was shed on it and for the militiamen who are interred here. Tours can be booked online or in-person at the Lexington Visitor's Center (1875 Massachusetts Ave).

6:00 AM to 8:00 AM Buckman Tavern Walk-Through Tours: 1 Bedford St. Walk through the rooms of the historic tavern (interpreters present).

6:00 AM to 8:00 AM Buckman Tavern Walk-Through Tours: 1 Bedford St. Walk through the rooms of the historic tavern (interpreters present).
Location: 1 Bedford Street | Tickets available on site for $5 per person

6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Pancake Breakfasts
- BSA Troop 160: St. Brigid Parish, 1981 Massachusetts Ave.
- First Baptist Church of Lexington: 1580 Massachusetts Ave.
- The Church of Our Redeemer: 6 Meriam Street. All proceeds to benefit LexRAP (Lexington Refugee Assistance Program). *All three breakfasts are open to the public.

7:30 AM Sunrise Youth Parade: A parade through Lexington Center providing younger members of the community the opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of the weekend. Location: Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue. Route will proceed west on Mass Ave. through Lexington Center, ending at the Battle Green. Free.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Buckman Tavern Tours: Self-paced audio tours available. Built in 1710, Buckman Tavern was a gathering place for both locals and travelers, and the site of many important town meetings. Captain Parker and his militia gathered in this tavern in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775 to await the oncoming British Redcoat troops. The upstairs of Buckman contains galleries for rotating, special temporary exhibitions.
Location: 1 Bedford Street
Tickets available online and on site. Advanced purchase not required.
(Single house) Adults $14, Kids $8
(Three houses) Adults $28, Kids $14

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Hancock-Clarke House Tours: Guided tours available every half hour. Built in 1737, Hancock-Clarke House was the parsonage for the town of Lexington during the 18th century. Reverend Jonas Clarke was hosting guests John Hancock and Samuel Adams when they were awakened by Paul Revere and his famous warning in the early hours of April 19, 1775.
Location: 36 Hancock Street
Tickets available online and on site. Advanced purchase not required.
(Single house) Adults $14, Kids $8
(Three houses) Adults $28, Kids $14

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Munroe Tavern Tours: Self-guided tours available. Built in 1735, Munroe Tavern was commandeered by the British Redcoat troops on their retreat back to Boston on the afternoon of April 19, 1775. Downstairs, the Tavern illustrates the British perspective of the day’s events. Upstairs, the story’s focus shifts to what it was like to have a family home taken over by enemy soldiers. The final highlight is the chance to see where President Washington’s dined when he visited the Tavern in 1789.
Location: 1332 Massachusetts Avenue
Tickets available online and on site. Advanced purchase not required.
(Single house) Adults $14, Kids $8
(Three houses) Adults $28, Kids $14

8:00 AM Patriots’ Day Ceremonies on the Battle Green: Ceremonies will include the announcement of the 2024 recipients of the:
- White Tricorne Hat Award, Lexington Lions Club
- Minuteman Cane Award
- Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award
- Lexington Minute Man Scholarships

Note: A public reception will be held to honor the recipients of the above awards on Sunday, April 21, inside the Depot building (13 Depot Sq.) from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All are welcome.
Location: Lexington Battle Green

9:00 AM “First Shot!: The Day the Revolution Began.” Enjoy a film screening of Lexington Historical Society’s award-winning video along with a special Q & A session with British and Colonial reenactors and a sampling of Colonial Music.
Additional screenings will be held at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Location: 13 Depot Square
Tickets available at the door.
Adults $10, Kids (Age 6 to 16) $5, no admission fee for kids age 5 or younger

9:00 AM Lexington Lions Club 110th Annual Five-Mile Road Race: Set against the backdrop of scenic Lexington on April 15, 2024, this event not only marks a significant milestone but also embodies the spirit of Patriots' Day, a day steeped in American history. Location: Starts and ends at the Lexington Battle Green

10:15 AM - 11:00 AM Lexington Minute Men (LMM) /Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) 114th Wreath-laying Ceremony: The LMM and DAR lay wreaths at several of the war monuments around the Battle Green, including the Revolutionary Monument, a burial site for the Lexington soldiers killed on April 19, 1775. Location: Lexington Battle Green

10:30 AM USS Lexington Memorial Ceremonies: This ceremony commemorates the role played by the U.S.S. Lexington ships and honors those who served aboard the five vessels named U.S.S. Lexington.
Location: Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave.

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Annual Patriots’ Day Hand Bell Concert: The Handbell Choirs of Hancock Church present a family-friendly concert of American music rung on five octaves of handbells and chimes. Location: Hancock Church, 1912 Massachusetts Ave. Cost: Free

12:30 PM Parade Float Judging Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 16 Follen Road

1:00 PM Paul Revere Arrives at the Battle Green on Horseback: Greeted by the Select Board and the Lexington Minute Men.
Location: Lexington Battle Green. Free

2:00 PM Patriots’ Day Afternoon Parade: The most anticipated event of the weekend. Location: Starts at Mass Ave. and Maple Street, proceeding west down Mass Ave. into Lexington Center. Ends on Worthen Road at the Center Recreation Complex.
Location: 1 Bedford Street

For More Information
Town Celebrations Committee, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
Recorded Information Line: 781-862-0500 x704
www.patriotsday.com

*Schedule subject to change*

About Patriot's Day
Every April on the third Monday of the month, the Battle of Lexington is commemorated and a moving tribute is paid to those patriots who first fell on Lexington Green on the morning of April 19, 1775. A full range of activities is planned that include historical reenactments, parades, pancake breakfasts, and a road race.

Beginning just before midnight Sunday night, the drama begins with the arrival of Paul Revere on horseback to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British Regulars have left Boston and are on their way towards Lexington and Concord.

The highlight is the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington, performed by members of the Lexington MinuteMen Company and His Majesty's Tenth Regiment of Foot. Staged annually at 5:45 A.M. every April on the third Monday of the month, the event evokes the revolutionary spirit that signaled the start of the American Revolution.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early at all events for best viewing. Be part of the story through the reenactment of Paul Revere's ride, followed by day-long events.

In addition to Patriots Day, this April Monday also features events like The Boston Marathon, One Boston Day, and marks the kickoff of April School Vacation Week in Boston. Check out our handy guides to stay in the know about fun things to see & do.

Find more Patriots Day events going on near Boston in our guide to things to do on Patriots Day, as well as our overview on other exciting Boston April Events.

WEBSITE

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www.lexingtonma.gov/2011/2024-Patriots-Day-Schedule-of-Events

LOCATION

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Lexington Green, Lexington, MA map

TIPS

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- No backpacks or large containers where possible
- Use clear or mesh bags to carry personal items
- Do Not leave bags or containers unattended
- Items left unattended will be removed from public areas by police
- No Ladders, stepstools or large scaffolding

REVIEWS

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British 273 Lexington 0 worse than Redsox

I keep telling myself this is the year the Minutemen take the whole thing and every year the Brits chase us out to Concord and I lose $100. We need new management. Captain Parker is overrated.

Battle Of Lexington - Patriots' Day Reenactment

My daughter and I were finally going to have a view of the battle this year! We were to the left of the statue, about the third row of people from the ropes and could see the green in between other peoples' heads. The militia men were on the field and the redcoats had just positioned themselves, when, just before the first shot, a crowd of people to the right of the statue ran onto the green, escorted by 3 or 4 police officers, and totally obscured our view! I don't know if they were Lexington police or who the people were but when the battle was over, these officers told the angry crowd it was over and to move along. How disappointing!!