Last updated: April 23, 2025
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Paul Revere's Ride to Revolution
Photo by Arlan Fonseca, Courtesy of National Parks of Boston
On the evening of April 18, 2025, Boston will commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary Midnight Ride, a pivotal moment in American history. Through immersive activities, participants can engage directly with historic and cultural sites in the North End and Charlestown to be a part of Boston’s revolutionary legacy. Follow Paul Revere’s departure from Boston as he walks, rows, 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.
Revere's journey will be commemorated at 8 p.m. April 18, and 10 a.m. on April 21 and supported by innovative place-based storytelling including untold stories and celebrations that will inspire all and cheer Revere along the route through the North End and Charlestown toward Lexington.
Paul Revere's Ride to Revolution Timeline
Revere Departs
Paul Revere House 8:00 p.m.
Watch as Paul Revere departs his house in North Square.
Lanterns Illuminated
Old North Church 8:15 p.m.
The lanterns will be illuminated from the steeple of Old North Church.
Harborwalk Drone Show
Langone Park and Charlestown Navy Yard 8:30 p.m.
A drone show visible from Langone Park and the Charlestown Navy Yard will further illustrate the evening.
The Row
Langone Park and Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 1 8:40 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.
Watch as Paul Revere rows across Boston Harbor and arrives at Pier 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Revere Arrives in Charlestown
City Square Park 8:50 p.m. - 9:05 p.m.
Watch as Paul Revere arrives at Deacon Larkin's House and emerges to mount his horse and begin his ride.
Revere Rides out of Charlestown
Main Street Charlestown 9:10 p.m. - 9:20 p.m.
Watch as Paul Revere rides out of Charlestown to complete his ride.
Events
USS Constitution Museum
USS Constitution Museum Open House & Lantern Workshop
April 18, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
USS Constitution Museum
22 Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
Visit USS Constitution Museum and explore its galleries for the Museum's special Open House hours from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. While there, prepare for Paul Revere's arrival on Pier 1 by creating your own wooden lantern to help escort him through Charlestown.
More information on this event at USS Constitution Museum.
Paul Revere House
Paul Revere Bids Farewell - Paul Revere House
Friday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Paul Revere House
19 North Square, Boston
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 depature from his home, and follow in his footsteps as he makes his way stealthily to the waterfront.
More information on this event at Paul Revere House.
Paper Lantern Workshop
Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Prado (Paul Revere Mall)
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. Then, join the procession to City Square in Charlestown, on the tails of Revere's row across the Charles River.
Old North Church Graphic
Revolutions Edge - Old North Illuminated
Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Old North Church - Prado
193 Salem Street, Boston
To kick off Boston's Patriots' Day weekend celebrations in partnership with the City of Boston, Old North Illuminated will stage a free reading of the hit play Revolution's Edge behind Old North Church on Paul Revere Mall. Mayor Michelle Wu and other local officials will attend the play and give remarks to commermorate this historic anniversary. Written by Patrick Gabridge and produced by Plays in Place, Revolution's Edge is a gripping 45-minute historical drama that ran at Old North Church in the summers of 2023 and 2024. Guests will be greeted with live music before brief speaking remarks welcome the crowd and introduce the 45-minute cosutmed read of the play. Old North's lanterns will light up soon after the play's conclusion, at the beginning of the reenactment of Revere's row across the Charles River.
More information on this event at Old North Church.
Lantern Service at Old North Church
Friday, April 18, 2025 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Old North Church
193 Salem Street, Boston
Hear from historian Heather Cox Richardson, a renowend 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 p.m.
More information on this event at Old North Church.
Lantern Talks - Boston National Historical Park
Friday April 18 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Langone Park and Charlestown Navy Yard
What inspired Paul Revere's famous midnight ride? Join a National Park Service Ranger for a Lantern Talk on the night of April 18th to learn more about revolutionary Boston and what led Paul Revere to ride!
Lantern Talks occur at Langone Park at 7:00pm, 7:30pm, and 8:00pm and the Charlestown Navy Yard at 7:00pm and 7:30pm lasting 15 minutes each.
These talks are free and open to the public.
Paul Revere's Ride to Revolution Drone Show
Friday April 18 8:30 p.m.
Langone Park and Charlestown Navy Yard
Step back in time and witness history come to life on Boston Harbor! The City of Boston and Boston Harbor Now are pleased to share that four hundred drones will 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.
This event is free and open to the public. Sign up here to stay informed about this event and other updates from Boston Harbor Now.
Drone show can be viewed from the North End, Charlestown and East Boston, suggested public viewing locations along the Boston Harborwalk include:
- Langone Park, North End
- Constitution Wharf, Charlestown
- Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
- Lopresti Park, East Boston
Join us before the show at Langone Park starting at 7:30 pm:
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!
Unearthing the Untold Stories of Charlestown's Sacrifice
Friday, April 18, 8:30 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
City Square, Charlestown
Join the Charlestown Preservation Society for an unforgettable evening with Deacon Larkin and the Charlestown Milita as they wait in anticipation in City Square for Paul Revere to arrive. Joe Bagley, City of Boston Archaeologist, will speak 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. The evening builds to a dramatic crescendo: watch Revere mount the horse and race off on his legendary ride at 9:10 p.m.
Two if By Sea, Evening Harbor Cruise from Long Wharf - Boston Harbor Now and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park
Friday, April 18, 8:00 p.m.
Long Wharf North
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 a 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.
Sign up at Boston Harbor Islands.
The Reasons for Revere's Ride at USS Constitution Museum
Friday, April 18, 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
USS Constitution Museum
22 Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
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.
Race to Tell the Minutemen on Main Street in Charlestown
Friday, April 18, 2025 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Main Street, Charlestown
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.
Public View of the Crossing of Paul Revere
April 18, 2025 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Langone Park
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.
NPS Photo Boyce
Bunker Hill Monument Illuminated
Friday, April 18, 2025 9:30 p.m.
Monument Square, Charlestown
As Paul Revere's figure fades into the distance, the National Park Service will illumunate the Bunker Hill Monument. The Monument will be illuminated nightly through July 4, 2025 - inviting us to relfect on lives lost in service to the Nation's founding ideals and the monument's timeless significance as a beacon of hope and possibilty.
Planning Ahead
Spectators are asked not to bring weapons, flammable liquids, fireworks, tents, canopies, coolers, suitcases/rolling bags, ladders or step stools to any event.
Public Transit
Many streets in the North End and Charlestown are going to be closed for the event. Using public transit is encouraged.
Langone Park is a .5 mile walk from North Station accessible through MBTA Green Line, MBTA Orange Line, and MBTA Commuter Rail.
Paul Revere House is a .3 mile walk from Haymarket Station accessible through MBTA Green Line and MBTA Orange Line.
Old North Church is a .5 mile walk from Haymarket Station accessible through MBTA Green Line and MBTA Orange Line.
City Square is a .6 mile walk from Community College Station accessible through the MBTA Orange Line. It is a .7 mile walk from the Charlestown/Long Wharf Ferry Terminal on 4 Constellation Wharf.
Press Kit
Park Information
The National Parks of Boston is a collection of three National Park Service sites – Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Established by individual legislation and for designated purposes, the three units have come together under a unified organizational umbrella to collaborate in ways that celebrate our cultural heritage, reconnect people to history and nature, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities on land and on the water. For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/bost, www.nps.gov/boaf, and www.bostonharborislands.org.
Learn About Paul Revere's Ride
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Paul Revere's Midnight RideLearn more about Paul Revere's midnight ride on the night of April 18th with an interactive map
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"Paul Revere's Ride" PoemLearn more about the famous poem that brought fame to Paul Revere's midnight ride
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Paul RevereLearn more about Paul Revere and his life in Boston