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Paul Revere's Ride to Revolution

Boston National Historical Park

A metal statue of Paul Revere on horseback stands in front of the steeple of Old North Church next to green trees

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 on Hanover Street.

Lanterns Illuminated

Old North Church 8:15 p.m.

Paul Revere will be knocking on the doors of the church sextent and the lanterns will be illuminated from the steeple of Old North Church.

The Row

Langone Park and Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 1 8:30 p.m. - 8:45 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 8:30 p.m. - 9:00 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

Three wooden lanterns sit in front of a shiplap background with red white and blue bunting in the corners of the graphic

USS Constitution Museum

USS Constitution Museum Open House & Lantern Workshop

April 18, 2025 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

USS Constitution Museum

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.

A photo of the back of the Paul Revere House, it is painted grey wooden slats that cover the whole thing. A brick courtyard is in the foreground

Paul Revere House

Meet the Revere's - Paul Revere House

Friday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Gather at the Paul Revere House after hours, to meet Paul and Rachel Revere as they prepare for his departure. In addition, museum staff will lead interactive discussions of the myths and misconceptions that have evolved around the story of the Midnight Ride.

Paper Lantern Workshop

Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Prado (Paul Revere Mall) and USS Constitution Museum

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.

Three men in colonial cloths stand next ot an illustration of the Old North Church Steeple. Text frames the image: "Revolution's Edge One Night Only: April 18, 2025"

Old North Church Graphic

Revolutions Edge - Old North Illuminated

Friday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Old North Church - Prado

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.

Lantern Service at Old North Church

Friday, April 18, 2025 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Old North Church

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.


Meet Deacon John Larkin at City Square

Friday, April 18, 8:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

City Square, Charlestown

Wait in anticpation in City Square with John 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.


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 to come

The Reasons for Revere's Ride at USS Constitution Museum

Friday, April 18, 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

USS Constitution Museum

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.

The photo looks up at a white obelisk that is lit up on all sides with a small lantern in front

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 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 relfect on lives lost in service to the nations' founding ideals and the monument's timeless significance as a beacon of hope and possibilty.

Planning Ahead

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

Learn About Paul Revere's Ride


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Last updated: March 13, 2025