We can hardly believe that it’s already mid-April!! A weekend chock full of holidays and school vacation are just around the corner. Read on for some local festivities and activities to explore:

Patriots Day 2022

In our historic towns, Patriots Day celebrations bring out our New England pride as we celebrate our defiance of British rule. After two years of canceled or virtual celebrations, most towns are resuming their in-person events to commemorate the first day of the American Revolution. Check out the some of the weekend’s activities listed below or navigate over to this complete guide of festivities.

Saturday, April 16

Minuteman National Historical Park (Lexington, Lincoln & Concord): Make your way here for tours of the Hartwell Tavern & Smith House or to catch a demonstration at The Bloody Angle. Plenty of parking areas are available, but be sure to wear appropriate shoes for the dirt trails. Also occurring on Sunday.

Paul Revere House (Boston), 1-3pm: Visit Paul Revere’s home in Boston for a concert featuring the lively music to which colonists marched during the Revolutionary War. Note that a small admission fee applies.

Sunday, April 17

Minuteman National Historical Park (Lexington, Lincoln & Concord): Make your way here for tours of the Hartwell Tavern & Smith House or to catch a demonstration at The Bloody Angle. Plenty of parking areas are available, but be sure to wear appropriate shoes for the dirt trails. Also occurring on Saturday.

War Preparations at Barrett Farm (Concord), 1-4pm: Get a glimpse into the Colonists’ intense preparations for battle during reenactments throughout the afternoon. Note that the British soldiers arrive around 3pm to search the house!

Monday, April 18

On the official Patriots Day holiday, events & activities start as early at 4:30am! Check out this guide for all of your options.

Battle on Lexington Green: The reenactment of the historic battle on Lexington Green starts at 5:30am, but you’ll need to arrive even earlier to snag a good viewing spot. Note that the Lexington PD requests limiting the use of backpacks and large containers and encourages use of clear or mesh bags.

Concord’s Patriots Day Parade, 9am This huge parade includes Minute Men and Militia from several surrounding communities that converged on Concord in 1775. The parade starts on Main Street, proceeds through Concord Center to Old North Bridge and then returns to Concord Center.

Additional April Vacation Week Activities

After you celebrate the accomplishments of the Minute Men in the quest to free our nation from the British, set your sights on even more activities to entertain kids and adults alike! We’ve highlighted a few below, but recommend checking out the aggregated lists at websites like BostonCentral.com or MommyPoppins.com to find options that align with your schedule and interests.

Boston Marathon

After two years of COVID interruption - one cancellation and one postponement - the Boston Marathon returns to its annual Patriots Day tradition with the 126th running. The oldest annual marathon, its course starts in Hopkinton and continues through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and finishes at Boston’s Copley Place.

If you plan to spectate, check out the official B.A.A. website for lots of viewing options all along the course. Most of the course is accessible via public transportation, with the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line and the Green Line (B, C & D) branches all within walking distance. Race start times range between 6am (the military march) and 11:15am (wave 4). Wheelchairs start just after 9am and the professional runners start at 9:37am.

Swan Boats in the Public Garden

The pedal-powered boats return to the Lagoon in Boston’s Public Garden on the Saturday before Patriots Day every year! They operate daily from 10am - 4pm, weather permitting. On the 15-minute cruise around the pond, you’ll circle the little island made famous by Make Way for Ducklings. No reservations are needed - tickets are purchased at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding. More info here.

Red Sox at Fenway!

Baseball is BACK and Fenway Park kicks off the season with the home opener on Friday, April 15, the first of a 7-game home stand. Tickets are on sale via the Red Sox website, where you can also explore the current guidelines to prepare yourself for a fun and safe trip to the ballpark - such as a size limit on bags of 5”x9”x2” (small purse or clutch) except for diaper bags or medically-necessary bags. There are special Family 4pax available for April 19-21 versus the Blue Jays.

Kids Concert at Arsenal Yards in Watertown

Tuesday, April 19, 11am - 1pm: Enjoy complimentary outdoor fun on the River Green at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards, located at 485 Arsenal Street. Jammin With You will perform a concert from 11:15-12 and lawn games will follow for an hour afterwards. The performance is geared toward kids aged 1-7.