Watch the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington

Reenactors head to the Lexington Common in the early hours of April 15 for this annual event.

Reenactors depict the skirmish that took place on Lexington Common early on the morning of April 19, 1775. Joanne Rathe/ Globe Staff

By Natalie Gale

1 minute to read

Not a big runner? There are other ways besides the Boston Marathon to celebrate Patriots Day. On April 15, the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington takes place early in the morning, long before the marathon runners take off from the Hopkinton starting line. The day also includes historical tours, a parade, and other patriotic events in Lexington.

Fought on April 19, 1775, the battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the Revolutionary War, which would last for another 8 years. On the night of April 18, Paul Revere took his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington to warn the colonists that the British were coming to seize arms and make arrests. The next morning, the Revolutionary War began as the British and the Minutemen confronted each other and the first troops fell. Captain Isaac Davis, leader of the Acton Minutemen, was the first person killed.

The reenactment begins at 5:05 a.m. on Monday, April 15, during which reenactors form the Lexington Minutemen and the British Regulars to act out the battle of Lexington. But the entire weekend sees plenty of other patriotic events in Lexington. The Parker’s Revenge reenactment and a family movie night take place on April 13 at 1 and 7 p.m., respectively. The Paul Revere ride reenactment is at 11:30 p.m. on April 14, and the battle of Lexington reenactment on the 15th is followed by a pancake breakfast and the Sunrise Youth Parade, then a five-mile road race at 9 a.m. and a wreath laying ceremony at 10:15 a.m. The weekend culminates with the 2 p.m. Patriots Day parade.

Most events are free and open to the public, and visitors will find plenty of trolley and walking tours around town that weekend, too. Find the full schedule of events here.

This year marks the 249th anniversary of the historical battles, and the town is already gearing up for next year’s 250th celebration.