patriots' Day 25oth Events
Our Next Events:
Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 in Carlisle!!!
Here Ye! Here Ye! Summoning all residents of Carlisle to assemble on the Town Green at 3:00 pm, July 4 for a public, participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence!
The Carlisle Minutemen have organized a special Independence Day celebration and demonstration. A central feature of the program will be a communal reading of the Declaration, recreating the public readings that took place in towns and cities across Massachusetts and the other colonies in the days and weeks following July 4, 1776.
Whether you are new to town, a longtime resident, or a native; and wherever you may find yourself on today’s political spectrum—or that of 1776—you are warmly invited to join this civic celebration of Carlisle’s history and our nation’s founding ideals. Together, we will revisit the words that have inspired people around the world for 250 years.
Families are encouraged to attend. Please bring your children and grandchildren.
In the spirit of the occasion, we respectfully ask attendees to set aside present-day political divisions so that we may focus on the shared ideals and aspirations that unite us.
Here Ye! Here Ye! Summoning all residents of Carlisle to assemble on the Town Green at 3:00 pm, July 4 for a public, participatory reading of the Declaration of Independence!
The Carlisle Minutemen have organized a special Independence Day celebration and demonstration. A central feature of the program will be a communal reading of the Declaration, recreating the public readings that took place in towns and cities across Massachusetts and the other colonies in the days and weeks following July 4, 1776.
Whether you are new to town, a longtime resident, or a native; and wherever you may find yourself on today’s political spectrum—or that of 1776—you are warmly invited to join this civic celebration of Carlisle’s history and our nation’s founding ideals. Together, we will revisit the words that have inspired people around the world for 250 years.
Families are encouraged to attend. Please bring your children and grandchildren.
In the spirit of the occasion, we respectfully ask attendees to set aside present-day political divisions so that we may focus on the shared ideals and aspirations that unite us.
2026 past Events:
April 11, Saturday - Bedford Pole Capping, Wilson Park, Bedford, MA
(https://bedfordminutemen.org/)
-10:30am step off from First Parish Church, Parade to Wilson Park for Pole Capping and some theater with the Kings Troops. Concludes by 11:30am
April 11, Saturday - Meriam's Corner, Lexington Rd, Concord, MA
(https://concordma.gov/1168/Meriams-Corner-Exercise)
-1:00pm Step off from Ripley School, parading down Old Bedford Rd to Lexington Rd. and Meriam House. Ceremony including historic narrative, music, wreath laying, musket volley and Concord Battery cannon firing. Parade back to Ripley School. Concludes by 2:15pm
April 11, Saturday - Patriots Ball, Concord Armory
6:30pm - 10:45pm , Lantern parade to center 11pm-11:30pm Samuel Prescott arrives on horseback, Regulars are out.
April 17, Friday - Patriot Vigil, Old North Bridge, Concord, procession from visitors center down to North Bridge (https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-Luminaria 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm, Ceremony 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm
April 18, Saturday - Tower Park Battle, Lexington
(https://www.lexingtonma.gov/851/Patriots-Day-2026)
-11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Mass Ave and Pelham Rd
April 18, Saturday - Lexington Parade
(https://www.lexingtonma.gov/851/Patriots-Day-2026)
1:30 PM - 2:30pm
April 19, Sunday - Dawn Salute, Concord
(https://concordma.gov/1161/Dawn-Salute)
-6am - 7am, Buttrick hillside overlooking the Old North Bridge
April 19, Sunday - Tough Ruck, Concord
(https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Concord/toughruck)
-7:45am - 8:30am - Fenn School Concord Start, Crosses Old North Bridge
April 19, Sunday - North Bridge Battle Walk, Concord
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-8:30am - 9:30am North Bridge visitor center
April 19, Sunday - Elm Brook Hill Battle Walk, 2A Lincoln
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-11am-1pm Elm Brook Hill to Hartwell Tavern Battle walk
April 19, Sunday - Parker's Revenge Immersive Battle Walk, 2A Lexington
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-2:30pm-3:30pm - Minuteman Visitor Center
April 19, Sunday - Royal Artillery Firing Demonstration, Lexington
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-4pm:4:30 Minuteman Visitor Center
April 20, 2026 - Carlisle
March with the Minute Men to Concord on Patriots’ Day and Trail Walk Coins
This year’s march to Concord will take place on April 20, 2026. The Carlisle Minutemen will muster on the Town Green, sound the alarm (church bells) at 6:15am, followed by the flag raising and a brief historical perspective at the Minute Man Monument. Step off for the Old North Bridge at 6:50am.
The 2026 Trail Walk Coin: $10 for marchers, $15 for others. Carlisle250 Coin $15. All proceeds go to support the Carlisle250 events and the Carlisle Historical Society. To avoid a lengthy delay at the end of the trail, we will use the same process as last year. Go to either website and print the registration form, one for each walker and bring it with you to be validated at the end of the trail (where dirt becomes pavement). Then come to Town Hall the following Sunday April 26, time is 12-5 to pay and pick up your coins. You can also purchase the two other coins if you don’t have them already.
Registration form here!
April 20, Monday - Patriots Day Parade, Concord
(https://visitconcord.org/patriots-day-2026/)
-9am step off Thoreau St. near High School
-11:30am ends at Concord Center
-12pm-4pm Block Party Concord Center
April 20, Monday - Patriots Baseball CC vs Lexington
(https://visitconcord.org/event/patriots-day-parade-and-celebration/)
-3pm - Emerson Field Concord
(https://bedfordminutemen.org/)
-10:30am step off from First Parish Church, Parade to Wilson Park for Pole Capping and some theater with the Kings Troops. Concludes by 11:30am
April 11, Saturday - Meriam's Corner, Lexington Rd, Concord, MA
(https://concordma.gov/1168/Meriams-Corner-Exercise)
-1:00pm Step off from Ripley School, parading down Old Bedford Rd to Lexington Rd. and Meriam House. Ceremony including historic narrative, music, wreath laying, musket volley and Concord Battery cannon firing. Parade back to Ripley School. Concludes by 2:15pm
April 11, Saturday - Patriots Ball, Concord Armory
6:30pm - 10:45pm , Lantern parade to center 11pm-11:30pm Samuel Prescott arrives on horseback, Regulars are out.
April 17, Friday - Patriot Vigil, Old North Bridge, Concord, procession from visitors center down to North Bridge (https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-Luminaria 7:30 pm- 9:00 pm, Ceremony 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm
April 18, Saturday - Tower Park Battle, Lexington
(https://www.lexingtonma.gov/851/Patriots-Day-2026)
-11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, Mass Ave and Pelham Rd
April 18, Saturday - Lexington Parade
(https://www.lexingtonma.gov/851/Patriots-Day-2026)
1:30 PM - 2:30pm
April 19, Sunday - Dawn Salute, Concord
(https://concordma.gov/1161/Dawn-Salute)
-6am - 7am, Buttrick hillside overlooking the Old North Bridge
April 19, Sunday - Tough Ruck, Concord
(https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Concord/toughruck)
-7:45am - 8:30am - Fenn School Concord Start, Crosses Old North Bridge
April 19, Sunday - North Bridge Battle Walk, Concord
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-8:30am - 9:30am North Bridge visitor center
April 19, Sunday - Elm Brook Hill Battle Walk, 2A Lincoln
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-11am-1pm Elm Brook Hill to Hartwell Tavern Battle walk
April 19, Sunday - Parker's Revenge Immersive Battle Walk, 2A Lexington
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-2:30pm-3:30pm - Minuteman Visitor Center
April 19, Sunday - Royal Artillery Firing Demonstration, Lexington
(https://www.nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/patriots-day.htm)
-4pm:4:30 Minuteman Visitor Center
April 20, 2026 - Carlisle
March with the Minute Men to Concord on Patriots’ Day and Trail Walk Coins
This year’s march to Concord will take place on April 20, 2026. The Carlisle Minutemen will muster on the Town Green, sound the alarm (church bells) at 6:15am, followed by the flag raising and a brief historical perspective at the Minute Man Monument. Step off for the Old North Bridge at 6:50am.
The 2026 Trail Walk Coin: $10 for marchers, $15 for others. Carlisle250 Coin $15. All proceeds go to support the Carlisle250 events and the Carlisle Historical Society. To avoid a lengthy delay at the end of the trail, we will use the same process as last year. Go to either website and print the registration form, one for each walker and bring it with you to be validated at the end of the trail (where dirt becomes pavement). Then come to Town Hall the following Sunday April 26, time is 12-5 to pay and pick up your coins. You can also purchase the two other coins if you don’t have them already.
Registration form here!
April 20, Monday - Patriots Day Parade, Concord
(https://visitconcord.org/patriots-day-2026/)
-9am step off Thoreau St. near High School
-11:30am ends at Concord Center
-12pm-4pm Block Party Concord Center
April 20, Monday - Patriots Baseball CC vs Lexington
(https://visitconcord.org/event/patriots-day-parade-and-celebration/)
-3pm - Emerson Field Concord
2025 Past Events:
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State House Ceremony: Carlisle Flag Installation
Tuesday, July, 29 | 11:00am to 1:00pm|Boston, MA We’re excited to share that Scott Evans and Representative Cataldo’s office have arranged a special ceremony at the Massachusetts State House to celebrate the installation of the Carlisle Town Flag. Following the ceremony, a light lunch will be served. Join us for this proud moment in Carlisle’s history! |
Sunday May 17th
Tour of Carlisle's Red Lion Tavern * Open House start time 2:00 pm * Learn the History of Carlisle's Revolutionary Taverns. * Hear the stories of 6 generations of John Healds....a prolific Carlisle family. * Visit the purported site of the minuteman gun powder mill. * Stand in a well-preserved colonial period room. * Enjoy refreshments, including hard cider. *Minuteman Musket Demonstrations, Fife & Drum, and more......... 
250TH POPPIES DISPLAY AN ART INSTALLATION ON THE TOWN COMMON BY THE CARLISLE POPPY PROJECT HONORS THE MINUTEMEN WHO GATHERED THERE ON APRIL 19TH 1775. |
ROBERT GROSS LECTURE ON DECEMBER 5th
Historian Robert Gross, The Draper Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut, spoke at the Historical Society's Annual Meeting about his 1977 Bancroft prize winning book, the minutemen and their world. His talk can be viewed here. |
HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLONIAL OPEN HOUSE ON Nov 17th
IN NOVEMBER, THE SOCIETY HELD A SPECIAL 250th THEMED OPEN HOUSE FEATURING A MUSTER REENACTMENT AND A SPECIAL EXHIBIT OF ARTIFACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THE CARLISLE MINUTEMEN. THE OPEN HOUSE ALSO FEATURED AN EXHIBIT DEDICATED TO COLONIAL ERA TEXTILES AND A WEAVING DEMONSTRATION. Carlisle Colonial Faire - March 15, 2025 
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PATRIOT GRAVE DEDICATION CEREMONY ON October 27th
AS PART OF THE 250TH SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, THE MINUTEMEN FROM CARLISLE AND OTHER TOWNS, ALONG WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS SAR, DEDICATED NEW BRONZE PLAQUES HONORING THE PATRIOTS WHO WERE BURIED AT THE CENTRAL BURYING GROUND And GREEN CEMETERY. FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE. Pass events
Saturday April 12 Liberty Pole Capping -10:30 - Noon 2 Concord Rd Bedford Center -Parade and Reenactment at Wilson Park Saturday April 12 Meriam’s Corner -1pm-2pm - Meriam’s Corner, Concord -Parade and Ceremony at Meriam’s Corner Saturday April 12 Revere Capture Ceremony -3pm-4pm 180 North Great Road, Lincoln -Lincoln Minute Men, joined by other reenactment units, observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music and a musket fire salute. Saturday April 12 Patriots Ball -7pm - Midnight, Concord Armory -Concord tradition includes live band, dancing, cash bar, light refreshments -Traditional Lantern march to Concord Center at midnight to witness Dr. Samuel Prescott arriving on horseback to sound the alarm that the British Regulars are on the move to Concord. -More info and tickets (https://visitconcord.org/event/patriots-ball/) Thursday April 17, 2025 North Bridge Candlelight Vigil -7:30pm - 9pm, North Bridge Visitor Center -Evening ceremony features a lantern-light procession to North Bridge, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of the soldiers who gave their lives on that “ever-memorable” 19th of April. Friday April 18, 2025 Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride -10pm-11pm, Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street, Lexington Saturday April 19, 2025 Carlisle Alarm Reenactment -6am-7am - Carlisle Town Green -Recreation of the alarm April 19, 1775 and the Minuteman response -Oral presentation of the events that morning followed by flag raising, Minuteman monument dedication and volley fire Saturday April 19, 2025 Carlisle Estabrook Trail March -7am-8:30am, Carlisle Town Green -Carlisle Minutemen will form up with a color guard, more than 20 muskets and fife and drum. Minutemen and town citizens will march to the North Bridge via the Estabrook woods, stopping at the Estabrook cellar hole to fire a volley. -Trail Walk Coins will be available to everyone who completes the walk Saturday April 19, 2025 Concord Dawn Salute -6am-7am - The North Bridge, Buttrick Hillside -Concord Minutemen, Fife and Drum, Concord Battery -Ceremony with musket volleys and cannon fire Saturday April 19, 2025 Lexington Green Battle Reenactment -5:30am-6:30am, Lexington Green Saturday April 19, 2025 Concord Patriot’s Day Parade -8:30am - 1pm - Concord center -Parade route from CCHS through town center, up Liberty St, down and across North Bridge and back through the center of town -Parade stops at North Bridge at about 9:30am or 10am for about 45 minutes of ceremonies -Fly-Over planned during ceremonies Saturday April 19, 2025 Battle Road 250th -11am-3pm - Battle Road Trail, Lincoln MA -11:30am - Tactical scenario: Elm Brook Hill to Hartwell Tavern -1:00pm - Tactical scenario: Parker’s Revenge to Bluff Saturday April 19, 2025 Concord Center 250th Block Party -2pm-6pm - Concord Center -Multiple Events in Concord Center Saturday April 19, 2025 Lexington Parade -2pm - 4pm, Lexington Center Saturday April 19, 2025 Patriots 250 Light Drone Show -Dusk to 9pm, Concord Center Sunday April 20, 2025 Tough Ruck -7am - finishers from noon - 4pm -Start at Fenn school finish line is across the Old North Bridge and back to Fenn -OPEN TO MILITARY, VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS & CIVILIANS -Elite 1000 Tough Ruck 26.2 Boston 2025. -Ruck in honor of Fallen Military & First Responders. -Tough Ruck finishers earn the official 129th Boston Marathon Medallion and recognition from the Boston Athletic Association. Sunday April 20, 2025 Battle of Menotomy Reenactment -2pm-5pm, Arlington, MA |
