Lex250

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert – July 23
2024-07-23 19:15 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Wind band concert at the Levi Burnell Bandstand in Hastings Park.
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. including intermission
Bring picnics, beach chairs, blankets
For cancellation information, call 781-698-4647 or visit our web page after 5 p.m. on the day of the concert.

Ben Rudnick - Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series
2024-07-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Emery Park, 9 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02124, United States
With countless kudos to their credit, including SEVEN Parents’ Choice Awards, the band considers its main focus to be providing a common ground where all family members can enjoy a shared musical experience.
Drawing on original songs and traditional material, the band seamlessly integrates classic Americana with their own unique sound. It’s kids, it’s families, it’s music… live music.
The band is in their 23nd year of making music for families. That includes twelve recordings, tours up and down the east coast, a week of shows in Colorado and a play about a certain frog, named Sam, and his alien buddy, Trip. The band is an institution in the Boston area and are happiest when playing outside on a perfect New England summer evening.
The tightly-honed quartet ties its identity to their New England homeland. Their sound is pure Americana. There’s a summer feel with a strong sense of celebration and happiness.
The Summer Concert Series has been providing free music for over three decades now and attracts families from Lexington and many of the surrounding communities. With a variety of musical styles, and a relaxed “picnic in the park” atmosphere, the concerts promote the old-time neighborliness of Lexington. Remember to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments.
Concerts will be canceled due to inclement weather, and there are no rain dates scheduled. For updates please visit https://www.facebook.com/LexingtonMAChamber.

Run a Colonial Farm! A 1-Day Camp for Grades 6-8
2024-07-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Odds are, if you lived in Massachusetts in the 18th century, you lived on a farm. What skills would you need to live off the land, and how did you unwind after all this work?In this one-day camp, become a historian and explore a historic house and artifacts that tell us about our past. We’ll get hands-on as we learn about the chemistry of making ink, the science of preserving food and the dances you’ll need to master for the harvest frolic. This program is recommended for rising 6th – 8th graders.
$45 members, $60 nonmembers.
Advanced registration required.
As children will be dropped off for this program, please provide emergency contact information at checkout.

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert - July 16
2024-07-16 19:15 - 20:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States

CANCELED: Parker's Prelude
2024-07-13 11:00 - 14:00 | Lexington Battle Green, Lexington Battle Green, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
CANCELED: The 295th Birthday of Captain John Parker
(This event has been canceled and postponed due to forecasts of wet weather. A new date will be announced shortly)
Parker’s Prelude
Join us for a free community event to celebrate Captain John Parker’s 295th Birthday with a festive celebration on the Lexington Battle Green. Bring along a chair or blanket.
There will be music, activities, food trucks and birthday cake! Leading off the musical performances will be a joint concert of the Lexington Bicentennial Band and the Concord Band.
Also, performing will be the:

Jamaica Plain Honk Band
Children’s Community Chorus
William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps

Captain Parker
Seen by many as being the ultimate personification of a Yankee rebel and represented by a statue standing resolutely at the head of the Lexington Common, Captain John Parker was a New England farmer, smith, soldier, and colonial militia officer.
On April 19, 1775, Parker led the Lexington Militia in a skirmish with British regulars at the Battle of Lexington, where eight militia lost their lives in a successful delaying action against the British.
While the militia lost the Battle of Lexington, Captain Parker’s actions of defiance gave inspiration to further acts of rebellion against the tyranny of King George during the American War for Independence.

Soft Touch Band - Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series
2024-07-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Emery Park, 9 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02124, United States
Soft Touch is a classic big band with full horn and rhythm sections and two outstanding vocalists, specializing in swing era music from the ’40s to the ’60s, plus Broadway hits and classic rock favorites.
The Summer Concert Series has been providing free music for over three decades now and attracts families from Lexington and many of the surrounding communities. With a variety of musical styles, and a relaxed “picnic in the park” atmosphere, the concerts promote the old-time neighborliness of Lexington. Remember to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments.
Concerts will be canceled due to inclement weather, and there are no rain dates scheduled. For updates please visit https://www.facebook.com/LexingtonMAChamber.

Be a Tavern Keeper! A 1-Day Camp for Grades 3-5
2024-07-12 09:00 - 15:00 | Munroe Tavern, 1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
An 18th century tavern was a busy place! Part restaurant, part hotel, part general store – running a business like this took a lot of skill. In this one-day camp, spend the day in a real historic tavern to see if you have what it takes to earn your innkeeper’s license. We’ll participate in hands-on activities to learn what foods you can feed your guests, how to light your home before electricity, what games you can play in the parlor, and more! This program is recommended for rising 3rd – 5th graders.
$45 members, $60 nonmembers.
Advanced registration required.
As children will be dropped off for this program, please fill out emergency contact information at checkout.

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert - July 9
2024-07-09 19:15 - 20:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States

68th Annual July 4th Carnival
2024-07-07 13:00 - 18:00, 2024-07-06 13:00 - 23:00, 2024-07-05 18:00 - 23:00, 2024-07-04 13:00 - 23:00, 2024-07-03 18:00 - 23:00 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
The 68th Annual Lexington Lions Club Carnival and Fireworks Show will be held at Hastings Park in Lexington from Wednesday, July 3rd, through Sunday, July 7th!
Carnival Times:
• Wednesday, July 3, 2024 – Carnival – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Thursday, July 4, 2024 – Carnival – 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Friday, July 5, 2024 – Carnival – 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Carnival – 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Sunday, July 7, 2024 – Carnival – 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Fireworks will be held on Friday, July 5th at 9:30pm. Viewing from Hasting Park.
Free Olde Fashioned Youth Games at 10am on Thursday, July 4th at Center 2 Softball Field on Worthen Road.
Gate fee: $3.00

4th Annual Quock Walker Day Community Celebration
2024-07-06 11:00 - 14:00 | Lexington Visitor’s Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Quock Walker Day celebrates the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision of July 8, 1783, that found a White enslaver guilty of assault on Quock Walker, a freedom seeking Black man, and agreed with Chief Justice Cushing that the ideas of slavery and perpetual servitude were incompatible with the state constitution.
Community Celebration Main Stage
11 AM – Opening Ceremony
12 pm -West African Dance Workshop with Crocodile River Music

Learn and practice steps from traditional West African dances, while dancing to live musical accompaniment provided by members of the CRM team. This high-energy experience is engaging and educational for people of all ages, backgrounds and capabilities.

1 pm – Crocodile River Music Concert

Dance to music performed by musicians from Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, & the US

Food and Drink

Jamaica Mi Hungry – food truck
Clarke’s Cakes & Cookies, LLC

Family and Freedom: Colonial Massachusetts to Civil War

Barbadoes of Lexington: From Emancipation to Abolition – Learn about an enslaved couple who were married in Lexington and whose descendants fought for the abolition of slavery across the country.
Yeomen Burdoos of Lexington – Hear how a 40 acre homestead supported a tax paying Black family of Cambridge Farms
Processing Flax into Linen with Cate and Prince Chester – Flax was cultivated in the Nile Delta by the Egyptians in 5,000 BC. Learn how an emancipated couple of Lexington supplemented their income by processing flax into linen.
Hands-On Flax Processing Demonstration with Michelle Parrish, School and Family Programs Coordinator, Historic Deerfield
Lexington Minute Men – Meet some of the men whose valor during the Revolutionary War allowed for the Commonwealth to ratify its constitution in 1780. Members of the Barbadoes and Burdoo families were veterans of the Revolutionary War.
Cambridge Black History Project – Hear the stories Quock Walker’s nieces and nephews who fought for civil rights, worked on the Underground Railroad and fought for the abolition of slavery across the USA.
Salem United, Inc. – Learn how the emancipation of Cumono in 1783, led to his grandson Robert Morris becoming a member of the Massachusetts Bar in 1847.
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A – Meet some of the men whose valor during the Civil War led to the surrender of Confederate forces and the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation by the occupation of the defeated Confederate States of America. Some Burdoos and Walker Lewis descendants were veterans of the Civil War.
Colonial Games

Celebration Partners

54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A
Cambridge Black History Project
First Parish in Lexington
Hancock United Church of Christ
LexFarm
Lexington Historical Society
Salem United, Inc.

4th Annual Quock Walker Day Hike for Freedom
2024-07-06 08:00 - 22:00 | Bowman Elementary School, 9 Philip Rd, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
ACROSS Lexington Route M Loop
A Family Friendly Trail Walk of 3.3 Miles
8:00 AM – Registration & Storytelling
8:30 AM – Walk starts
Register at qwdhike4freedom2024.racewire.com
Hear the story of Quock Walker’s life and judicial victories while celebrating the 241st Anniversary of Massachusetts Emancipation Day.
This event will run from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM.

68th Annual July 4th Carnival Fireworks
2024-07-05 21:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Fireworks will be held on Friday, July 5th at 9:30pm. Viewing from Hasting Park.

215 Army Band - Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series
2024-07-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Emery Park, 9 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02124, United States
The 215th Army Band of the Massachusetts Army National Guard remains one of the nation’s finest military bands. For more than 60 years, the band has performed throughout New England and the world, bringing the Army’s fine musical traditions and goodwill to thousands of listeners.
The Summer Concert Series has been providing free music for over three decades now and attracts families from Lexington and many of the surrounding communities. With a variety of musical styles, and a relaxed “picnic in the park” atmosphere, the concerts promote the old-time neighborliness of Lexington. Remember to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and refreshments.
Concerts will be canceled due to inclement weather, and there are no rain dates scheduled. For updates please visit https://www.facebook.com/LexingtonMAChamber.

Declaring Independence Then & Now
2024-07-04 19:00 - 20:15 | The Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
This dramatic presentation, created by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, aims to find out how our local towns read and reacted to the Declaration of Independence. Across the colonies, and particularly in Massachusetts, towns debated what freedom meant to them, and grappled with the grievances aired in the official Declaration. What did the words in the final document mean to them? Costumed reenactors will bring life to the words of the past, with narration by former State Representative Jay Kaufman. Rounding out our evening will be a performance by the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers. Some of our favorite tunes from the 18th century were highly political, and many of them were also taken from popular English military music!

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert - July 2
2024-07-02 19:15 - 20:30 | Lexington High School, 251 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA, 02121, United States
Wind band concert outside Lexington High School
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. including intermission
Bring picnics, beach chairs, blankets
For cancellation information, call 781-698-4647 or visit our web page after 5 p.m. on the day of the concert.

Lexington Bicentennial Band Summer Concert
2024-06-25 19:15 - 20:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Wind band concert at the Levi Burnell Bandstand in Hastings park.
7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. including intermission.
Bring picnics, beach chairs, blankets. For cancellation information, call (781) 698-4647.

Lexington Celebrates! Walking Tour
2024-06-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Buckman Tavern, 1 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Parades, pageants and pandemonium have defined the many commemorations of the 1775 Battle of Lexington and the first shots of the War for Independence. Over the centuries, thousands of people have descended upon the Battle Green to welcome Revolutionary War heroes like the Marquis de Lafayette on his tour of America in 1824. The anniversaries of the battle offered them a glimpse of President Grant in 1875 and a word from President Ford in 1975. On this land, protestors have sat and monuments have been built to the fallen. Join a Lexington Historical Society educator as they illuminate 250 years of stories full of crowds, chaos and celebrations!

FREE! Space is limited to 20 people. Registration is required.

Starting and ending at Buckman Tavern, this tour explores areas around the Lexington Battle Green. The tour is 1 hour long and covers about a 1/2 mile on flat ground.

This walking tour is featured in the 2024 Connecting Communities: Walks & Talks series, “How We Remember.” Connecting Communities: Walks & Talks is part of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area’s larger interpretive strategy which aims to provide life-long learning opportunities to residents and visitors, connecting them to local landscapes while raising awareness of and inspiring support for conservation and preservation initiatives in the region.

Boston International Asian Music Festival
2024-06-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Lexington Visitor’s Center, 1875 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
The 4th annual Boston International Asian Music Festival will once again stop in Lexington on its four-town tour. The Lexington-Belmont concert will be held at the Visitor Center lawn starting at 5 pm on Saturday, June 22. Dubbed the “Tanglewood of Lexington”, the family picnic concert is free and features many acclaimed local musicians. You will enjoy music from different genres by Asian and other musicians from top music institutes, as well as amateur musicians of all ages.
So pack a family picnic, come to meet your neighbors and enjoy this unique music experience on a cool summer evening. Doors open at 5 PM for outdoor cultural activities prior to the show. Free admission. Food and Beverage available for purchase.
The concert series is a production of New Moon International, and is organized by Chinese American Association of Lexington – CAAL, Belmont Chinese American Association, , Acton Chinese-American Civic Society, WestonWestar.

International Fun Fest
2024-06-15 16:00 - 20:00 | Ellen Stone Building, 735 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
The Lexington Lyceum Advocates announces its first International Fun Fest at Lexington’s Ellen Stone Building from 4-8PM on Saturday, June 15.
The Fest will offer free activities and entertainment for the whole family on the lawn of the Ellen Stone Building at 735 Mass Ave. Come celebrate the many diverse cultures in our community with games, music, dancing, food, beer garden, and more.
Enjoy international dance and live musical performances, play lawn games, sip a cold beer or buy dinner at a food truck. Bring friends and neighbors or meet new friends as we relax outdoors on a beautiful summer evening.
Free Parking is available on Mass ave. and neighboring side streets.
The International Fun Fest is cosponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Lexington Council for the Arts, and the Lexington Lyceum Advocates. For more information, see LexLyceum.org/events.
The Lexington Lyceum Advocates (LLA) is a 501(c)(3) organization established to return the town-owned 1833 Ellen Stone Building to public use. LLA’s mission is to build a modern Lexington Lyceum and community gathering space at the renovated Ellen Stone Building. LLA envisions the Stone Building as a venue in which to learn from the past and shape a better future. For more information and to hear about upcoming events, go to LexLyceum.org.

Exhibit Opening: The President & Le Général
2024-06-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Munroe Tavern, 1332 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Lexington Celebrates! is expanding!
In addition to April 19th anniversary celebrations throughout the years, Lexington has rolled out the red carpet for visiting Revolutionary figures. George Washington visited Munroe Tavern during his 1789 tour of the United States, and General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, also visited Lexington during an 1824-5 50th anniversary tour.
This summer, Munroe Tavern will host an exhibition extension exploring the celebration of these two friends in Lexington, visiting during significant points of nation-building in the new republic.
Join us for a special opening reception from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, June 14! Reservations are appreciated to programs@lexingtonhistory.org, but not required.

Rick Beyer's Amazing Campaign for History's Hidden Heroes
2024-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Nearly 20 years ago, while living in Lexington, author and filmmaker Rick Beyer learned the incredible story of the WWII deception units known as The Ghost Army. He soon launched a quest to tell the world about their exploits, and to make sure what they did would never be forgotten. That led to the Ghost Army documentary (2013), the book (2015), and finally the Congressional Gold Medal (2024), the highest honor Congress can bestow.
Now Rick returns to Lexington to recount his epic Ghost Army journey. It began on a winter’s day in a Lexington coffee shop, and after innumerable twists and turns, culminated in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol presided over by the Speaker of the House. Rick will share insights, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes adventures from this wild 20-year ride that so many people in Lexington took part in. All illustrated with rarely seen photos and footage. A story about what it really takes to see history preserved and remembered.
“The Ghost Army” is one of those remarkable projects where the underlying story of bringing the history to light winds up nearly as compelling as the historical tale itself. Rick Beyer will share both those stories June 13.
Tickets: $10 members, $15 nonmembers, $5 veterans, active duty military FREE. Tickets on EventBrite or at the door

An Evening with Curtis Chin
2024-06-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
Join us for an evening with author, filmmaker and activist, Curtis Chin. Curtis’ memoir, “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” serves up life lessons from a childhood spent in a Chinese restaurant. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Hua Wang, Co-President of the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL).
This program is made possible by the generous donors to the Cary Library Foundation.
Learn more and to register for the event.

Purple Puppy Promenade
2024-06-09 09:30 - 10:30 | Hastings Park, 10 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Dog owners and families: Dress your pooch in purple and gather with us at Hastings Park at 9:30am on Sunday June 9. We will parade our dogs along Mass Ave. to our expanded agility playing field where they can show off their costumes and tricks. Prizes will be awarded for most creative costumes and best agility skills. Event sponsor MetroPets will have their mobile grooming station and will clip your dog’s nails for a $10 donation!
Donate to support this event and sign up: https://bit.ly/LexPurplePuppyPage

KOLex: K-Festival in Lexington
2024-06-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd., Lexington, MA, 02421, United States
Korean American Organization of Lexington (KOLex) hosts the first K-Festival in Lexington to celebrate Korean culture. The K-Festival will be filled with delicious Korean food and vibrant performances. Immerse yourself in folk/contemporary music, try out K-pop dancing, and enjoy Korean arts and games. Participate in our raffle and win Korean snacks or K-beauty gift baskets, complete with beautiful craft item created by KOLex.
The program features folk dances by the Boston Academy of Korean Traditional Art (BAKTA)’s Pungmulnori Ensemble, The Gugak Jazz Trio, K-POP performances and random dance play by Lexington High School’s K-pop teams and UMass Boston’s WHISPER K-pop dance crew, ending with a Samulnori Drum performance by the Korean School of New England (KSNE).
The K-Festival is organized by KOLex with collaboration of Korean Cultural Society of Boston (KCSB), and The Lexington Community Center. A prior registration is recommended.

Historic Games Day
2024-06-08 11:00 - 15:00 | MA
Have you learned that life in the past was all work and no play? Think again! Stop by the Depot to experience the entertainment of the past, from outdoor games like hoop and stick, graces, and tug-of-war to board games, toys, and early virtual reality! 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Lexington Gardens Blossom
2024-06-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St, Lexington, MA, 02420, United States
For an early celebration of the 250th Anniversary of “the shot heard around the world,” Lexington Field & Garden Club is holding one of its popular garden tours on Saturday, June 8. Many of these gardens surround 19th century homes with their native colorful plants and interesting landscape designs. Whether you are a dedicated gardener or just a lover of beautiful natural spaces, you don’t want to miss this chance to experience the private worlds that lie behind these antique homes.
Purchase tickets online. Tickets can be picked up at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, June 8 at the Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St, Lexington.
