Boston 250

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 – 8:15 p.m.); view Paul Revere crossing Boston Harbor from Langone Park or Pier 1 (8:00 – 8:30 p.m.); welcome Paul Revere to the Charlestown Navy Yard at Pier 1 (8:30 p.m.); walk with Paul Revere to City Square to retrieve a horse (8:45 p.m.); witness Paul Revere mount the horse and race off on his legendary ride (9:10 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

More Information >

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

More Information >

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

More Information >

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)

More Information >

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

More Information >

Two if By Sea, Evening Harbor Cruise

Cruise through Boston Harbor and witness Paul Revere's legendary midnight crossing to Charlestown. Experience history come to life as costumed reenactors recreate Revere's daring journey, signaling the start of the American Revolution.

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Long Wharf

More Information >

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
 

More Information >

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

More Information >

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

More Information >

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

 

 

Paul Revere House

Click to Open

Throughout 2025, the Paul Revere House and other organizations will be hosting a variety of events to commemorate and reflect on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. 

For more information about 250th anniversary programming at the Paul Revere House, visit here.

Old North Church

Click to Open

On the evening of April 18, 1775,  allies of Paul Revere climbed Old North Church’s steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal that British forces were marching to Lexington and Concord “by sea” across the Charles River. Those two signal lanterns set a complex alarm system into motion, a system that included many messengers fanning out across Massachusetts to spread the warning that night. Once Revere got across the river, he began his own famous Midnight Ride as part of this system. Ultimately, when the British arrived in Lexington the next morning, they were met by local militia members, and the shots fired that morning ignited the American Revolutionary War.

For more information about the 250th anniversary of the two signal lanterns at Old North Church, visit here.

Charlestown Navy Yard

Click to Open

On April 18, the USS Constitution Museum honors Paul Revere—the midnight rider and master craftsman—250 years after his legendary ride. From sounding the alarm for revolution to forging copper for USS Constitution, Revere’s impact on America endures.

Follow Paul Revere’s departure from Boston as he walks from his home, rows to Charlestown Navy Yard, and begins the ride that spurred the American Revolution. The commemoration features performance arts, storytelling, and crafts, bringing history to life against the backdrop of Boston’s iconic landscape. Cheer Revere along the route through the North End and Charlestown before departing to Lexington.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Click to Open

The 250th Anniversary Reenactment of The Battle of Bunker Hills aims to accurately portray the events and faithfully represent the people involved in the conflict of June 17, 1775. Commemorate the actions and sacrifices of the men and women of all sides of the Battle of Bunker Hill through careful research, public demonstrations, civic engagement and educational outreach

For more information about The Battle of Bunker Hill, visit here. 

250th Resources

Massachusetts 250

In 2025 and 2026, Massachusetts 250 will commemorate the many battles across the state that led to America’s independence. Experience the birthplace of American Liberty, where history was made, and the future was forged.

MA 250

Revolution 250

Revolution 250 is a consortium of organizations working together to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the events that led to the American Revolution.

Revolution 250

Everyone 250

Powered by 100+ partners in Boston’s arts and culture sector, Everyone 250 is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. Experience storytelling, immersive events, and cultural activations with Everyone 250.

Everyone 250