Paul Revere’s famous Midnight Ride makes its way from the North End to Charlestown
Festivities unfolded Friday to mark the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s revolutionary ride.
A Paul Revere reenactor looks upward during the midnight ride commemoration in Boston, Friday night, April 18, 2025. The event marks the beginning of Boston 250 celebrations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution's first battles. The annual reenactment depicts Revere's historic journey warning colonists of approaching British troops before the April 19, 1775, battles at Lexington and Concord. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
On Friday night, Bostonians and history buffs alike were invited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s legendary Midnight Ride warning of the arrival of British Army troops.
A Paul Revere reenactor looks upward during the midnight ride commemoration in Boston, Friday night, April 18, 2025. The event marks the beginning of Boston 250 celebrations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution’s first battles. The annual reenactment depicts Revere’s historic journey warning colonists of approaching British troops before the April 19, 1775, battles at Lexington and Concord. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
To commemorate the pivotal moment in American history, two costumed actors reenacted part of Revere’s journey, one of whom would travel on foot and by rowboat, and the other by horse.
Spectators holding lanterns cheer during the Paul Revere midnight ride reenactment in Boston’s North End, Friday, April 18, 2025. The event marks the beginning of Boston 250 festivities, recreating Revere’s famous journey warning colonists of approaching British troops before the battles at Lexington and Concord. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
Other festivities took place at several locations throughout Boston and Charlestown, including the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, The Prado, Langone Park, Pier 1 of Charlestown Navy Yard, USS Constitution, and Charlestown City Square.
A Paul Revere reenactor stands amid an enthusiastic crowd in Boston’s North End during the midnight ride commemoration, Friday, April 18, 2025. The annual reenactment launches Boston’s 250th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution, commemorating Revere’s historic journey on the eve of the battles at Lexington and Concord. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
The free event kicked off at 5:30 p.m. and, according to the National Park Service (NPS), featured “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.”
A Paul Revere reenactor waves to spectators in Boston’s North End during the midnight ride commemoration, Friday, April 18, 2025. The event begins Boston 250 festivities marking the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary. This annual reenactment depicts Revere’s historic journey warning colonists of approaching British troops on the eve of the April 19, 1775, battles at Lexington and Concord. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
The Midnight Ride reenactment began at 8 p.m. at the Paul Revere House in North Square and wrapped up around 9:30 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.
A Paul Revere reenactor is surrounded by spectators and media in Boston’s North End as he begins his historic midnight ride reenactment, Thursday night, April 18, 2025. Against the backdrop of modern Boston’s illuminated skyline, the historic commemoration kicks off festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution’s first battles at Lexington and Concord. The annual reenactment serves as the cornerstone of Boston 250, part of Massachusetts’ once-in-a-generation celebration of its revolutionary heritage. Erin Clark/Globe Staff
In addition to immersive activities and theatrical presentations, attendees also enjoyed fife and drum music and lantern making.
A colonial reenactor in period dress waits outside the historic Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End, Friday, April 18, 2025. The scene is part of commemorative events marking the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, which warned colonists of approaching British troops on the eve of the American Revolution. Boston’s 250th anniversary celebrations include reenactments, parades, and historical tributes honoring the city’s pivotal role in sparking the Revolutionary War. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Members of the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps perform in colonial attire outside the historic Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End, Friday, April 18, 2025. Crowds gather to witness festivities marking the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, which kicked off the American Revolution with the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775. The reenactment is part of Boston 250, the city’s contribution to Massachusetts’ once-in-a-generation commemoration of its revolutionary history. Erin Clark/Globe StaffA Paul Revere reenactor embraces his wife in a poignant farewell outside the historic Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End, Friday night, April 18, 2025. Cameras and onlookers capture the scene as part of the midnight ride reenactment marking the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution’s first battles. The historic home, illuminated against the Boston skyline, serves as the starting point for commemorative events that honor Revere’s famous journey to warn colonists of approaching British troops in 1775. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Paul Revere crossing the Charles River by boat before undertaking his legendary ride. Barry Chin/Globe StaffDrones over the Charles River light up the Boston skyline. Paul Revere arrives in Charlestown after crossing the Charles River by boat before undertaking his legendary ride. Barry Chin/Globe StaffActor portraying Paul Revere, at far left, arrives in Charlestown after crossing the Charles River by boat before undertaking his legendary ride. Barry Chin/Globe StaffDrones light up the Boston sky line as Paul Revere arrives in Charlestown after crossing the Charles River by boat before undertaking his legendary ride. Barry Chin/Globe StaffDrones depicting Paul Revere light up the Boston sky line as Paul Revere arrives in Charlestown after crossing the Charles River by boat before undertaking his legendary ride. Barry Chin/Globe Staff
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