Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts to celebrate Patriots’ Day, a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, back on April 19, 1775.

The holiday (officially observed on Monday, April 18, this year) and the entire week is celebrated with parades, reenactments and commemorative ceremonies.

Admission to all events is free except where noted. For more information, please call (978) 318 - 7825 or visit the park's website. 

Saturday, April 9th

* Meriam's Corner Exercise, Meriam's Corner, Concord. 1 p.m. 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 a.m. - 2s p.m.

* Paul Revere Capture Ceremony, Paul Revere Capture Site, Lincoln. 3 p.m. 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.

Saturday, April 16th

* Tough Ruck Step off at The Old Manse field, adjacent to North Bridge. 7 a.m. Minute Man National Historical Park is honored to once again host the "Tough Ruck,"
military personnel marching in memory of our fallen soldiers. Come out and support our soldiers in this 26-mile hike along the historic Battle Road Trail. For more information go to this site.

* “Armed as According to Law.” – Captain David Brown's Company of Minute Men North Bridge, Concord. 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Concord Museum, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Visit North Bridge and Concord Museum and see Captain David Brown's Company, a nearly full strength recreated minute company, demonstrate drill maneuvers and musket firings. Learn about militia duty in colonial Massachusetts and what it meant to be "armed as according to law."

* Life on the Battle Road, Hartwell Tavern and Captain William Smith House, Hartwell Tavern Parking, Area, 100 North Great Road, Lincoln. 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Hartwell Tavern and the Captain William Smith House will be open. Park staff and living history volunteers from the Lincoln Minute Men, the Guild of Historic Interpreters, and the Ladies of Refined Taste will be demonstrating various aspects of life in Massachusetts at the beginning of the American Revolution.

* Explore Bloody Angle with Edmund Foster, Hartwell Tavern, Hartwell Tavern Parking Area, 100 North Great Road, Lincoln. 10:30 a.m. Edmund Foster, a volunteer from Reading, Massachusetts (portrayed by park volunteer, Ed Hurley), will lead a tour to this key battle site where he fought in 1775.

* Visit Whittemore House (Behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt 2A Lexington). 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

* 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.

Battle Demonstration

* Battle Road: “Parker’s Revenge," Battle Road Trail behind Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington. 2 p.m. Hundreds of British and Colonial Reenactors will 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.

Saturday, April 16

* Junior Ranger Day at Minute Man National Historical Park. Earn your Junior Ranger Badge, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Minute Man Visitor Center, Rt. 2A, Lexington. Pick up your very own Junior Ranger Day Booklet. You will have fun exploring 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. It's a fun way to learn and earn your Centennial badge and take your oath at 11:30 a.m., 3:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 17th

War-like Preparations at Colonel James Barrett House, Barrett's Mill Road, Concord. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 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 learn about the intense military preparations that helped launch America into the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary Dogs: "Paws for the Cause!" at Minute Man Visitor Center Route 2A, Lexington. 2 p.m. 45 minutes in length. Join Ranger Roger Fuller and his pug, Cricket, in a 45-minute walk on the Battle Road to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America, and in the Revolution. The tour starts at Minute Man Visitor Center and goes to Paul Revere Capture Site, about half a mile, with four stops along the way. The walk is open to all. You are welcome to bring along your well-behaved, friendly dog, too.

Monday, April 18th (Patriots’ Day observed)

* Lexington Battle Reenactment, Lexington Green. 5:30 a.m. The Town of Lexington celebrates the first shots of the American Revolution with a reenactment of the early morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars.

* Commemoration of the North Bridge Fight and Concord Parade, North Bridge, Concord. 8:45 a.m. British reenactors will be joined by the Acton Minutemen and other local 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 town are closed to vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 19th

* Dawn Salute, North Bridge, Concord. 6 a.m. 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.

* Arrival of the Sudbury Militia, North Bridge, Concord. 11:30 a.m. (approximately) 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.

* Saturday, April 23th

* Battle Road Heroe. At Hartwell Tavern Parking Area. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tours leave every 15 minutes. Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road
on April 19, 1775. Join the Guild of Historic Interpreters for a special evening of theater and history. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. Admission: $5.00 per person, $10 per family. Children wearing their Junior Ranger Badges may attend the program for free.