Honor the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride with a variety of events at the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution Museum, and Charlestown City Square. All events are open and free to the public! Boston250 commemorates many events leading to the founding of America, including but not limited to Paul Revere's Midnight Ride to the Battle of Bunker Hill, Evacuation of the British and the Declaration of Independence.
Paul Revere's Ride Reenactment
Gather in North Square to witness Revere’s departure from his home (7:30 p.m.); walk with Paul Revere to the US Coast Guard Station where he will begin his trip across the Charles River, accompanied by fife & drum, local politicians, business leaders, residents and visitors (8:00 p.m.); experience the historic Harborwalk drone show (8:30 p.m.); view Paul Revere crossing Boston Harbor from Langone Park, North End or Pier 1, Charlestown Navy Yard (8:40 p.m.); welcome Paul Revere to the Charlestown Navy Yard at Pier 1 (8:45 p.m.); walk with Paul Revere to City Square to retrieve a horse (9:00 p.m.); witness Paul Revere mount the horse and race off on his legendary ride (9:15 p.m.) - times subject to slightly change.
For more detailed event and program information, please see below.
More Information on the 250th Anniversary >
Paul Revere's Ride Programming
Historical Talks Illuminate the Midnight Ride
Join the Paul Revere House staff as they review the story of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride on the 250th anniversary of his now famous adventure. Discover how the humble silversmith became famous long after his death, thanks to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow!
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Recurring Talks
Paul Revere House
USS Constitution Museum Open House & Lantern Workshop
Visit the USS Constitution Museum and explore the galleries during the special open house. Prepare for Paul Revere's arrival on Pier 1 by creating your own wooden lanterns to help escort him through Charlestown.
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
USS Constitution Museum
Paul Revere Bids Farewell
Encounter Paul and Rachel Revere in their home as he prepares to depart on his legendary ride. Tour the Paul Revere House Visitor Center, where museum staff will share the full story of Revere's adventures on April 18, 1775. As the evening progresses, gather in North Square to witness Revere's departure from his home and follow in his footsteps as he makes his way stealthily to the waterfront.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Open House
8:00 p.m., Departure for Waterfront
Paul Revere House
Revolution's Edge Play: Costumed Reading
Join Mayor Michelle Wu, the City of Boston, Old North Illuminated and the Freedom Trail Foundation to kick off Boston's Patriots' Day weekend. Join Old North Illuminated for the stage reading of the hit play Revolution's Edge.
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Paul Revere Mall/The Prado
(behind Old North Church)
250th Anniversary Lantern Service
Join Old North Church for the traditional Lantern Service to honor the 250th anniversary of the "two if by sea" signal from the church's steeple on the eve of the American Revolution. Dr. Heather Cox Richardson, acclaimed author and professor of history at Boston College, will deliver the keynote address.
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Old North Church
Paul Revere Row and Harborwalk Drone Show
Step back in time and witness history come to life on Boston Harbor! See four hundred drones fly in unique formations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride to Revolution. Following the show, watch a dramatic reenactment of Paul Revere’s legendary crossing of Boston Harbor.
8:30 p.m. Drone Show|
8:40 p.m. Row Reenactment
View from the North End and Charlestown
Revere's Arrival at City Square / Unearthing the Untold Stories of Charlestown's Sacrifice
Wait in anticipation in City Square with Deacon Larkin and the Charlestown militia for Paul Revere to arrive in Charlestown. Joe Bagley, City of Boston Archaeologist, will talk about Larkin’s role in the events leading up to the Revolutionary War and the Midnight Ride, offering insights into Charlestown’s critical position in American history. Watch Paul Revere as he mounts a horse and races off on his legendary "Midnight Ride."
8:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
City Square
Bunker Hill Monument Illuminated
As Paul Revere rides away and fades into the distance, the National Parks Service will illuminate Bunker Hill Monument to reveal the likeness of the flags Bunker Hill Memorial Association flew from the monument at its 1843 grand opening. The monument will be illuminated nightly through July 4.
9:30 p.m.
Bunker Hill Monument
North End Tours Return for Paul Revere's Anniversary Ride
Commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride by experiencing Freedom Trail Foundation-led official North End Tours! These 90-minute tours highlights the revolutionary history in the North End, including the Paul Revere House and Paul's midnight ride, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, and more. Learn about the different immigrant populations that inhabited Boston's oldest neighborhood throughout the centuries.
Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 20 · 1:30 p.m.
Departs: ArtsBoston Booth, Faneuil Hall
250th Patriots' Day Weekend Commemorations
Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and Menotomy (Arlington).
Friday, April 18 - Monday, April 21
Various Locations and Times
250th Resources
Massachusetts 250
Revolution 250
Everyone 250