LEXINGTON — The Lex250 Commission and the Town of Lexington are very pleased to announce an historic slate of events on April 19, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and the start of the American Revolution.
Saturday, April 19, 2025, will feature more than a dozen events from pre-dawn through the evening hours, including the Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington, a performance by an elite U.S. Army parachute team, and one of New England’s largest parades in the afternoon!
Lex250 has also posted additional travel/transportation details and spectator guidelines here on Lex250.org!
5:15 a.m. — Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington
Lexington begins the day, as it always does, with an historical Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington.
As dawn approached on April 19, British Regulars, dispatched to destroy a store of ammunition, encounter The Lexington Minute Men — determined yet apprehensive militia members standing in their way. Tension mounted, a shot rang out, and the British Regulars opened fire. When the smoke cleared, eight American patriots lay dead, 10 were wounded, and the Revolutionary War had begun.
The passionate and committed groups of reenactors muster around 5 a.m., the bell in the Belfry rings, and the Battle commences at 5:15 a.m.
Attendees should arrive early!
11 a.m. — Lex250 Rededication of the Battle Green and Army250 Patriotic Performance, featuring the Golden Knights Parachute Team
After the 250th Battle of Lexington Anniversary Reenactment, the morning will pivot to an exciting and never-before-seen Patriotic Performance and demonstration by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, in a stunning audio/visual event meant to pay homage to America’s fight for liberty from 1775 to the present day.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. with the rededication of the Lexington Battle Green, beginning with a speaking program featuring the Lex250 Commission, state and federal government leaders, and U.S. Army Major Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, Commander of U.S. Army Military District of Washington.
This will lead into a skydiving performance by the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, which is scheduled to land directly on the Lexington Battle Green. This narrated event will feature a rededication of Army Combat Streamer #1, symbolizing America’s first combat engagement and the first shots fired in the American Revolution on April 19, 1775.
This will be followed by a performance by the U.S. Army Fife & Drum Corps and demonstrations by the U.S. Army Drill Team and the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, a highly trained and skilled Special Ceremonial Unit, which harkens back to the Continental Army unit that personally protected Gen. George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
At the end of the event, the soldiers will disperse and mingle with the crowd for a meet and greet and photos with the public. This promises to be an exciting event for all ages!
Any media interested in interviewing Military District of Washington service members during Lex250, please reach out to [email protected] for scheduling.
2 p.m. — Lexington’s 2025 Patriots’ Day Parade
The afternoon features a 125-unit parade, marching over 2.5 miles along Massachusetts Avenue from Maple Street to Worthen Road.
There will be nearly 2,700 marchers, reenactors, and performers including (in no particular order):
- The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
- The West Point Band
- William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum
- The Spirit of ’76: Fifes and Drums
- U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
- Navy Band Northeast
- Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co. of Mass.
- The 6th Connecticut Regiment
- 1st Delaware Regiment
- Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums
- Marblehead Base U.S. Submarine Veterans
- Blues Brothers, the Next Generation
- National Lancers, ceremonial cavalry squadron
- Hobby Knoll Stable Clydesdales
- Aleppo Shriners
- Lexington Minute Men
- Bedford and Lincoln Minute Men
- Lexington Historical Society and Lexington Scout Troops 10, 119, and 160 with a historic pumper fire truck
- Lexington civic groups including Town Meeting members, Lexington Youth Commission and Lexington Visitors Center
- Dance performances by Artisan Dance Academy (ADA), Samskriti School of Dance, The Dance Inn and db studios
Additionally, numerous Lexington civic groups are joining the parade, including Lexington Lions, LexSeeHer Inc., Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL), Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL), Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL), Chinese Americans of Lexington (CALex), Korean-American Organization of Lexington (KoLex), LexFarm, Lexington Field & Garden Club, Lexington High School classes of 1965, 1975 and 1985, Lexington Goes Purple and many more!
Lineup subject to change.
7 p.m. — Patriots’ Day Concert at Cary Hall
The free Lexington Bicentennial Band Concert will be the culmination of the Patriots’ Day Celebration. The concert will feature music related to the time period of the Revolution, including works that have been commissioned by the band “Seeds of Revolution” by Daniel Lutz, originally commissioned for Lexington’s 300th anniversary, and the world premiere of Dr. Andrew Boysen’s Symphony #11 – The Year 1775. In each case, the composers will be conducting the band.
Ticketing information will be posted to lex250.org at a later date.
Additional Events
There will be a number of other events in Lexington throughout the day, including:
- 8 a.m. — The 111th Patriots’ Day 5-Mile Road Race
- 9 a.m. — USS Lexington Ceremony on the Visitor’s Center lawn
- 10 a.m. — Daughters of the American Revolution Elm Tree Dedication
Monday, April 21: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. — Lex250 Patriotic Picnic in the Park
Celebrate History, Community, and Freedom under the Open Sky at Hastings Park
Experience the power of history, music, and community at this once-in-a-lifetime signature event. Rock out with singer-songwriter Malin, and witness special appearances by the Lexington Minute Men, the National Lancers, and more. Don’t miss a thrilling visit from the Lancers, featuring “Paul Revere” and “William Dawes” on horseback, bringing history to life before your eyes.
Plus, enjoy a lively Beer Garden! Raise a glass with friends as you soak in the spirit of 1775 and the celebrations of today.
Bring your picnic gear, enjoy incredible performances, and toast to history!
There will be a significant police and public safety presence at all events. Guidelines are subject to change at any time. Safety updates or changes will be shared on event websites and social media.
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