Concord250th

CONCORD250! April 19 (All Day Event) April 19 Patriots Day Activities for Concord250 – details to come. 6:00am Dawn Salute 8:30am Parade Step Off 9:30am&nbsp;Old North Bridge Ceremony 1pm Parade Ends 2-7pm Concord250 Block Party Concord Museum: Free admission all day, including witness the brave Acton Minutemen company in an encampment&nbsp;outside the Museum as they drill with muskets to prepare for battle, cook over a firepit, and demonstrate colonial spinning and sewing. 7:45pm: Concord250 Patriots Light Drone Show

Concord, Massachusetts

Concord250 Block Party

250th Block Party Timeline  ALL DAY EVENTS 9:00 AM – 7:45 PM Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike Community Day at the Concord Museum, see the original lantern from Paul Revere’s midnight ride, free access to the new special exhibition Whose Revolution, a family-friendly encampment of living history, an outdoor concert, food and beverage trucks, and a view of the town-wide Drone show. Free   11:00 AM – 7:45 PM Barrow Bookstore, 79 Main St. Photo Op: Throne Chair. Flourish your camera and capture your inner loyalist spirit as you sit in the throne chair outside Barrow Bookstore. Outdoor Display: Concord Authors’ Revolutionary War Ancestors. Free   Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Rd. Open House of this historic tavern where Militia Patriots and British Redcoats met (at different times). Tours, Beer Garden, and printmaking exhibition. $   11:00 AM – 6:00 PM LandVest, 24 Main St. Photo Booth. Pose in front of the iconic Old North Bridge and receive a historical figure trading card souvenirs while supplies last. Free   1:00 PM – 7:45 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Family-friendly open house featuring 1700s social media: stories, dance, song, letterpress printing, historic broadsides, activities and exhibits, including the Daughters of the American Revolution. $   1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, 399 Lexington Rd. Celebrate at “The Home of Little Women” – also a Revolutionary War “Witness House” – with costumed interpreters, games, music, presentations, “Revolutionary Selfies,” Concord Minutemen, Nashobah Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine, and Louisa May Alcott herself reminiscing about the 1875 Centennial festivities. Free   BY THE HOUR TIMELINE   1:00 PM – 1:30 PM The Bandstand, Monument Sq. National Anthem by Alan Swartz. Speeches by dignitaries to kick off the Block Party.   1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Wayside Inn Steppers. Dancing and reenacting 18th-century dance. $   2:00 PM – 2:45 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Native American Performance. Indigenous drumming with Dr. Claudia Fox Tree. $   2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. Performance by local middle schoolers. “Scenes from the Revolution – A Quarter Millennial Musical.” A series of musical numbers and historical scenes from the Boston Tea Party to the Battles of Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Free   2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Masonic Lodge, 58 Monument Sq. Wright Tavern Sing presents One-Day Choir with Kenter Davies. A joyful celebration of singing in harmony for everyone, regardless of musical experience or ability. $   Coldwell Banker, 11 Main St. Concord250 Sounds. Come and listen to live music! Fabulous musicians playing music for the times. In partnership with New England Musicians Resource Fund. Free   2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Wayside Inn Steppers. Dancing and reenacting 18th-century dance. $   3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Concord Scout House Children’s Book Reading of “Rise Up: Powerful Protests in American History” by Barefoot Books. $   3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Concord Scout House Daughters of the American Revolution, Liberty Flag Contest Launch. Free   4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Broadside Ballads and Sea Shanties with David Coffin of Revels and Mara Bonde. $   51 Walden Performing Arts Center Performance by local middle schoolers. “Scenes from the Revolution – A Quarter Millennial Musical.” See description for 2 PM show. Free   6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 51 Walden Performing Arts Center “Bridging Cultures” – 90-minute production featuring Chinese, Irish and Indian dance troupes, Indian-Concord historical sketch, ShinDaiko Ensemble featuring Japanese drums, and Shivani Dave, comedian. Free   Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. Colonial dancing (participatory). $   Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike Forum with Doris Kearns Goodwin on the American Revolution and Its legacy. Limited attendance via a stand-by line and livestreamed. Free   7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Concord Museum Outdoor concert with the Goodwin Band, finishing with a view of a town-wide drone show. Free   8:15 PM – 9:00 PM Drone Show, Monument Square and surrounding area 20-minute show in the night sky of a choreographed light show using drones. Free

Concord Center

« All Events  One-Day Choir with Kenter Davies at the Armory

Join friends and neighbors in this one of a kind collective choral event! Led and arranged by beloved NYC music leader Kenter Davies (who grew up in Sudbury!), we’ll explore harmony, free our voices, and build community through the song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. There’s no auditions, no experience necessary, and no seeking of perfection, We’ll just be making music for music-making’s sake! A timeless classic about the beauty of the natural world and the kindness we can afford one another as humans, “What a Wonderful World” feels more important than ever to sing. We’ll explore a choral arrangement of the tune featuring lush, jazzy harmonies. During our time together we will: ○ Play singing games to activate our voices, bodies, and connection to one another ○ Work through the song section by section, infusing some musicality as we go ○ Discuss the lyrics of the song and what meaning we can find in it ○ Sing through the song a bunch and explore the different journeys it may take us on! A week prior to the event, you’ll receive the sheet music and vocal demos arrangement of the song to use as a resource. You don’t have to be able to read sheet music, you can absolutely learn by ear! We encourage folks to arrive familiar with the arrangement, but there’s no pressure to learn everything in advance. We’ll fill in the gaps for one another as we explore and play along the way! Wright Tavern Sing is a program sponsored by the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust. We bring communal music events to Concord that are accessible, joyful, and bring a sense of belonging and connection to the greater village. For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wrighttavern.org/sing">www.wrighttavern.org/sing</a>. Kenter Davies is a vocal arranger, music educator, and choral facilitator based in Brooklyn, New York. He dedicates his work to creating spaces where people can engage with music free from the pressure of perfection, but full of complexity and joy. He highlights the journey over the destination and firmly believes in making music for music-making’s sake. Kenter facilitates One Day Choirs and other music events with the NYC-based creative community, Gaia Music Collective. He has led One-Day Choirs all across the country, celebrating the magic that diversity brings to group song.

Concord Armory

Concord's Secret History

<a href="https://visitconcord.org/event/concords-secret-history-world-premiere/">Concord’s Secret History</a>&nbsp;(World Premiere) April 12, 2025 8-10pm and April 14, 2025 2:30-4:30pm The Umbrella Arts Center Main Stage Theater 144 World premiere of new documentary about the history of slavery in the region surrounding Concord, Massachusetts, in co-production by Kogainon Films (USA) and GTVdocs (UK). The documentary reveals a long-suppressed secret, set in Concord, Massachusetts—the birthplace of the American Revolution, where the first shots were fired on April 19, 1775. While Concord is often celebrated for its role in the fight for freedom, few are aware of the untold stories that extend beyond its borders. The film also explores hidden narratives from both Medford and Harvard University, offering a richer, more complete picture of the region’s colonial past. The premiere will take place in Concord on April 12, 2025, followed by distribution to over 500 PBS member stations across the United States via PBS+. After the screening, the filmmakers and historians involved in the project will participate in a facilitated talk-back, providing an opportunity for deeper engagement and discussion. Partners: Concord250, Concord DEI, The Umbrella Arts Center.

Umbrella Arts Center

Concord Museum: Whose Revolution: Special Exhibition Opening Day

Whose Revolution: Special Exhibition Opening Day March 28, 2025 The first of three 250th special exhibitions at the Concord Museum, Whose Revolution will highlight the competing and contradictory meanings of revolution during the period leading up to the war. Through maps, documents, furniture, and other objects, this exhibition will explore the gradual shifts that led to broader support for independence. It will examine the experiences of Loyalists and the work of building consensus. It will also emphasize the experiences of enslaved people and Indigenous communities to examine questions of liberty, sovereignty, and protest during the period. Through objects and media installations, this exhibition will feature the different meanings of revolution for the individuals living through this period, revealing how the idea of declaring independence from England was far from inevitable and developed only gradually. &nbsp; To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Concord Museum will offer ongoing opportunities to gather as a community, reflect on the founding of our nation, and engage with the significance of our shared past for our present moment. Highlights will include three new special exhibitions, a special speaker series, a published catalog, and expanded educational resources. Together, these initiatives will showcase the incredible stories behind the eyewitness objects held at the Museum to illuminate the many different ways people experienced, shaped, and remembered the Revolution.

Concord Museum

QUILTS 250 Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy

QUILTS 250 Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy March 22 - March 23 (All Day Event) Cost: Free Showcasing the creative energy of quilters near and far, Quilts 250 will display as many as 250 quilts that visually express through fabric and thread themes related to our country’s founding and evolution and the dynamic range of quilting arts in the last 250 years. The show is sponsored by the Concord 250 Celebrations Committee and is organized by the Concord Piecemakers, Quilters’ Connection, and Rising Star Quilters guilds. Planned Events<ul><li>Quilt show with “shows within the show” on the Spirit of 1775; Antique and Antique-Inspired Traditional Quilts; Quilts of Protest; Modern, Contemporary, and Pictorial Quilts; and Student Quilts and Fiber Arts</li><li>Boutique</li><li>Children’s Activities</li></ul>&nbsp; For more information and instructions on entering a quilt, visit https://www.quiltersconnection.org/Quilts250.html &nbsp;

Concord Academy

Quilts 250

Quilts 250: Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy&nbsp;is a free, public quilt show organized in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary events of April 19, 1775 along Battle Road in Lincoln, Concord, Lexington, and Arlington, Massachusetts. Showcasing the creative energy of quilters near and far,&nbsp;Quilts 250&nbsp;will have 200+ quilts that visually express through fabric and thread themes related to our country’s founding and evolution and the dynamic range of quilting arts in the last 250 years. March 22 &amp; March 23: 10am - 4pm Quilts on Display:&nbsp;<ul><li>Antique</li><li>Traditional</li><li>Contemporary</li><li>The Spirit of 1775</li><li>Quilts of Protest</li></ul>Comfort Quilts Comfort quilt programs provide free quilts, teddy bears, pillows, pillowcases, and bibs to hospitals, shelters, veterans’ nursing homes, medically-supervised summer camps for children with serious illnesses, disaster-recovery sites, and other care centers. On display are some of the quilts made by members of Quilters’ Connection, Rising Star Quilters, and Concord Piecemakers for this purpose. These guilds together make and donate thousands of items each year, as do other local quilting guilds. Quilts in Bloom Featuring quilts paired with floral arrangements by the Concord Garden Club Children’s Activities There will be an activity center with hands-on activities Boutique There will be items for sale made by members of the organizing guilds. The show is sponsored by Concord 250 Celebrations Committee and is organized by the&nbsp;<a href="https://concordpiecemakers.org/">Concord Piecemakers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://quiltersconnection.org/">Quilters’ Connection</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.risingstarquilters.org/">Rising Star Quilters Guild</a>. Please tell all your friends and family to attend this spectacular show! For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quiltersconnection.org/Quilts250.html">here.</a> March 22 @ 5:00 PM Quilts 250 Keynote Speakers Gerald Roy and Jennifer Swope: “American Quilts: The Art and Story of a Nation” <a href="https://www.ticketstage.com/T/QUILTS250">Tickets: $10</a> Gerald Roy&nbsp;of the Pilgrim/Roy Collection and&nbsp;Jennifer Swope, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Textiles at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, will discuss the history of quilting in America. A beloved art form that has touched many lives since the founding of our nation, quilts continue to reflect the diversity, resourcefulness, and vision of their makers. The talk will be illustrated with a selection of quilts from Gerald Roy’s collection. <a href="https://www.ticketstage.com/T/QUILTS250">Get your tickets for the Speaker event here</a>

Concord250 Event: “A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color”

“A Fight for Freedom: Honoring Patriots of Color” is a two-hour live&nbsp;event dedicated to uncovering and honoring the often-overlooked contributions of Black and Indigenous patriots&nbsp;both during the American Revolution and the long struggle for continued expansion of&nbsp;freedom and liberty over the past 250 years. This event will take place at the Umbrella Arts, 40 Stow Street in Concord. In 1775, between 20 and 40 colonists of African and Indigenous descent fought alongside their fellow revolutionaries on the Battle Road during the opening conflict of the American Revolution. These individuals, who had been excluded from formal militia service prior to the war, became some of the earliest patriots to take up arms in the fight for liberty. By the end of the Revolutionary War, approximately 5,500&nbsp;people of color had served in the Continental Army or militia, risking their lives for the promise of freedom. Despite their significant role in the founding of the United States, the stories of these patriots and their descendants&nbsp;have often been erased or overshadowed by historical bias, and their sacrifices obscured by a narrative written by others. By telling their stories and honoring their service, we not only shed light on their essential contributions but also expand our understanding of the nation’s founding. Their bravery and resilience remind us that the struggle for freedom has always been fought by people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Today, efforts at the national and state levels—particularly in Massachusetts—are working to correct this historical oversight and honor the full spectrum of those who fought and continue to fight for liberty and equality for all people. Program Highlights:<ul><li>Historical Narratives:&nbsp;Historical interpreters guide participants through the stories of people&nbsp;who fought for independence. Brister Freeman, Cesar Robbins among others</li><li>Inspiring Performers:&nbsp;Through spoken word, theatre, music and song performers will share perspectives on the ongoing struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality, both during the Revolution and in the centuries that followed.</li><li>Community Reflection:&nbsp;The event will close with a community dialogue on the importance of recognizing the diverse voices and contributions that shaped the nation’s history, past and present.</li></ul>Join us for an event of learning, reflection, and recognition as we honor the courageous men and women who fought for freedom and whose stories are vital to understanding the full history of our nation. Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Partners: MA250 Concord250,&nbsp;Minuteman National Historical&nbsp;Park, The Robbins House, The Town of Concord, The Umbrella Arts Center. CONTACT : Joe Palumbo,&nbsp;Concord250 Events Chair,&nbsp;617 905 5085

The Umbrella Arts Center

Concord250 Event: "Where We Belong"

February 28- March 23, 2025 Umbrella Arts, Black Box Theater By Madeline Sayet, Directed by Tara Moses For REV 250 The Umbrella has programmed two events - a stage company production and an exhibit - to celebrate and amplify voices that have not historically been a part of the revolution story...which is in line with the celebration goals of the 250 plans. An indigenous theatre-maker journeys across geographic borders, personal history, and Cultural legacies in search of a place to belong. In 2015, Mohegan theatre-maker Madeline Sayet traveled to England to pursue a PhD in Shakespeare, echoing the path her ancestors took in the 1700's and leading to a remarkable journey of self-discovery. This ground-breaking, one-woman event weaves together humor, searing insight, and the timeless power of story-telling, to explore the importance of honoring our roots and the universal quest for belonging/where we belong. Following its acclaimed tour, developed in partnership with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in association with The Folger Shakespeare Library, with performances at Seattle Rep, Chicago's Goodman Theatre, New York's Public Theater, and more, The Umbrella is proud to present the play's New England Premiere in a new production.

Umbrella Arts

Concord250 Event: Music & Rebels

Meet music history’s rebels and revolutionaries, from Monteverdi and Beethoven to our contemporaries and witness how, by breaking the rules, these composers changed the course of history. In honor of the 250th&nbsp;anniversary of Concord’s role in the American Revolution, the program will feature the world premiere of&nbsp;Unrest&nbsp;by local composer and CCM faculty member Aaron Jay Myers, commissioned by Concord Conservatory. Highlights:<ul><li>World Premiere:&nbsp;Featuring the world premiere of&nbsp;Unrest&nbsp;by acclaimed local composer Aaron Jay Myers, commissioned specifically for this occasion.</li><li>Expert Commentary:&nbsp;CCM faculty speaker Jackson Carruthers will guide the audience through the program, illuminating the revolutionary spirit within each musical selection.</li><li>Stellar Musicians:&nbsp;Featuring a dynamic ensemble of CCM faculty and guest artists, including soprano Rose Hegele, cellist Steve Marotto, and violinist Nicole Parks.</li></ul>Date:&nbsp;Friday, February 7, 2025 Time:&nbsp;7:30 PM Location:&nbsp;1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742 Tickets: $25 General Admission, Free for Students 18 and Under <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-rebels-tickets-971155541367?aff=oddtdtcreator">Purchase tickets in advance</a> or payable at the door for this event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-rebels-tickets-971155541367?aff=oddtdtcreator

Concord Conservatory of Music

The Taste of Concord

Join us at the Nashoba Brooks School gymnasium to enjoy the tastes from our local Concord restaurants, bakeries, and food establishments! Also providing a guided tasting experience with over 50 wines, craft beers, mocktails, and artisanal spirits provided by West Concord Wine and Spirits. This is a fund-raiser for the Concord Chamber, so come out, have a fun evening, and get to know each other. All welcome! You must be 21 years and older to purchase tickets &amp; enter event. Purchase tickets here on-line, OR stop by in person and buy your tickets at: West Concord Wine &amp; Spirits – 1216 Main St. Concord, MA Fiorella’s – 24 Walden St. Concord, MA

Nashoba Brooks School

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

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S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

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S19: interest based

WBUR’s 75th birthday celebrations 💫

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

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Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.