Boston, MA – On the night of Friday, April 18, 2025, Boston will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride, a momentous event in American history that alerted colonists to British plans and ignited the Revolutionary War. In honor of this milestone, a reenactment and series of immersive activities hosted by a coalition of local organizations will bring the past to life, allowing attendees to experience historic sites as they trace Revere’s journey through Boston’s North End and across the river to Charlestown.
Throughout the evening attendees can enjoy theatrical presentations, fife and drums, and more, highlighting Boston’s revolutionary past, including a special open house at the Paul Revere House, where visitors can meet Paul and Rachel Revere. Starting from the Paul Revere House in the North End, Revere’s legendary journey will be reenacted on foot, by rowboat, and on horseback by costumed reenactors starting at 8:00 PM, tracing his storied route from Boston’s North End, across the harbor, and through the streets of Charlestown. Spectators can follow Paul Revere on foot from the Paul Revere House to the US Coast Guard Station Boston in a lantern lit “parade,” and from the USS Constitution Museum to Charlestown City Square. They can also line the Harborwalk in Langone Park in the North End and in Charlestown to watch the row across the water, and on Main Street to witness Paul Revere race to alert American Minutemen on horseback.
Massachusetts is where the American Revolution began, with events like the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, and it is where the Revolution continues as we look to the future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This great event will capture the spirit of the Revolution by bringing together the state, municipalities, local businesses and organizations, and community groups to celebrate MA250, the contributions Massachusetts made to the founding of this country, and our shared history.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the 250th anniversary of a pivotal moment in US history. In 1775, Boston was at the heart of social unrest and revolutionary activity as the King raised tariffs on imported goods and punished the colonies for radical anti-British sentiment,” says Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “This April, municipalities, community groups, businesses, and local organizations will highlight a night that had far-reaching impacts on history and how Boston’s anti-authoritarian culture created a spirit of American resistance.”
- Special Events Along the Route:
Paul Revere Bids Farewell from the Paul Revere House (5:30 – 7:30 Open House, 8:00 PM Departure for Waterfront): Encounter Paul and Rachel Revere in their home as he prepares to depart on his Midnight Ride. Tour the museum’s 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. - Revolution’s Edge at the Prado and Boston 250 Kickoff (Paul Revere Mall) (6:30–8:00 PM): Attend a special costumed reading of Old North Illuminated’s original theatrical work, written by Patrick Gabridge of Plays in Place. The play examines the lives of ordinary people caught in the turmoil of significant social and political change on April 18, 1775. Mayor Michelle Wu and other local officials will give remarks to commemorate this historic anniversary and kick off Boston 250, a series of events and programming commemorating Boston’s unique revolutionary history.
- Lantern Workshops (6:30–8:00 PM): Create your own paper lantern at The Prado (Paul Revere Mall) before following Paul Revere on the first leg of his journey through the North End to the waterfront. A Wooden Lantern Hub will also be available at the USS Constitution Museum in Charlestown for those who want to join the National Park Service in welcoming Paul Revere at Pier 1 of Charlestown Navy Yard and join the procession to City Square in Charlestown, on the tails of Revere’s row across the Charles River.
- Lantern Service at Old North Church (7:00–8:00 PM): Hear from historian Heather Cox Richardson, a renowned American historian and professor of history at Boston College, as the Old North congregation hosts a special Lantern Service at the iconic Old North Church. Old North’s two-lantern signal will light up the famous steeple at 8:15 PM.
- Public Viewing of the Crossing of Paul Revere at Langone Park (8:00 – 9:00 pm): Step back in time and witness history come to life on Boston Harbor. Join us for a public viewing of the dramatic reenactment of Paul Revere’s legendary crossing of Boston Harbor. Experience the sights and sounds of colonial America with fife and drum music, family-friendly activities, and a dazzling display of lanterns lighting up the night. This unforgettable event celebrates the spirit of the Revolution.
- Two if By Sea, Evening Harbor Cruise from Long Wharf, Ticketed (8:00–9:00 PM): Embark on a captivating one-hour 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. Enjoy stunning waterfront views, live narration, and an immersive glimpse into this pivotal moment in history.
- Paul Revere: The Messenger and the Maker at USS Constitution Museum (8:00–8:30 PM): Broaden your understanding of the famous ride with J.L. Bell, a respected author and historian specializing in the American Revolution. Bell will speak to the context of Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride, helping us to understand why it happened and its importance.
- Unearthing the Untold Stories of Charlestown’s Sacrifice (8:30–9:15 PM): Join the Charlestown Preservation Society for an unforgettable evening with Deacon Larkin and the Charlestown Militia as they wait in anticipation in City Square for Paul Revere to arrive. Joe Bagley, City of Boston Archaeologist, will talk about Charlestown’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, and the untold stories of Charlestown residents of 1775. The evening builds to a dramatic crescendo: watch Revere mount the horse and race off on his legendary ride at 9:10 PM.
- Race to Tell the Minutemen on Main Street in Charlestown (9:00–9:30 PM): Observe as Paul Revere races down modern-day Main Street in Charlestown to tell American Minutemen north of the city that the “Regulars are out!” The National Lancers will portray Paul Revere and Larkin’s horse, Brown Beauty.
- Bunker Hill Monument Illuminated (9:30 PM): As Paul Revere’s figure fades into the distance, the National Park Service will illuminate the pyramidion of Bunker Hill Monument to reveal likenesses of the two flags Bunker Hill Monument Association flew from the monument at its grand opening in 1843. The monument will be illuminated nightly through July 4, 2025 – inviting us to reflect on lives lost in service to the nation’s founding ideals and the monument’s timeless significance as a beacon of hope and possibility.
“On the eve of Patriot’s Day, we are poised to honor the courage, legacy, and significance of the actions of Paul Revere and scores of other Patriots 250 years ago with a living tribute to all the revolutionaries who helped shape the nation in 1775,” said Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association which owns and operates Paul Revere’s iconic home in Boston. “There is no question that Boston and Massachusetts played a central role in our nation’s fight for independence.”
“Boston was a key city in the American Revolution,” said Amanda Zettel, President of the Charlestown Preservation Society and member of the Bunker Hill 250 Coalition, a group of organizations committed to preserving Boston’s revolutionary legacy. “It was a vital port and transportation center known for its strong spirit of independence and resistance to imperial control. We’re proud to remember how Paul Revere and his fellow revolutionaries, including nine prominent patriots in Charlestown, dared to alert colonists to approaching troops and ignited a rebellion that paved the way for freedom and representation.”
“The commemoration events taking place across the North End and Charlestown have been made possible with significant support from National Park Service, the Freedom Trail Foundation, and the City of Boston,” said Nikki Stewart, Executive Director of Old North Illuminated. “We are excited to offer so many opportunities to connect the past with the present.”
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About Charlestown Preservation Society
Founded in 1967 to stop the destruction of the town’s most historic buildings, advocate for the preservation of the town’s buildings and storied heritage, and to educate people about the unique character of the Charlestown Community. Revere left Charlestown on April 18, 1775, on a borrowed horse to alert the countryside that “the Regulars are out!” For more information visit www.CharlestownPreservation.org.
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