4 ways to celebrate Massachusetts’ revolutionary 250th anniversary

A leafy, bucolic bastion of early colonial history, Massachusetts remains just as popular a destination today as it was three centuries ago. With 2025 marking a series of important, commemorative occasions for the New England state, there’s no better time for travellers to visit.

As the tinderbox of the American Revolution, Massachusetts is often regarded as the ‘Spirit of America’. European settlers first arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, but by the late 18^th century, Massachusetts had become a hotbed of activism and resistance to British rule. The 250th-anniversary commemorations of the revolution provide an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s founding principles and explore how the ideals of Massachusetts in 1775 have shaped American life today. From a Patriot’s Day parade in Concord to a journey spent retracing the steps of an American hero along the Henry Knox Trail, here are four ways to discover this New England state whilst celebrating Massachusetts’ revolutionary 250th anniversary.

1. Patriot’s Day Celebrations

Concord — 19 April
Base yourself in Boston and take a day trip northwest of the city to the historic town of Concord. It’s here that visitors can celebrate Patriot’s Day at the site of the battle that started the American Revolutionary War, while museums and historian-led walking tours offer specialist insight into the town’s social and political influence as a revolutionary site. In 2025, 19 April marks the 250th anniversary of the defining battle of Concord, and the occasion will be feted with a dawn salute, a parade and a family music festival. Additional events will occur that day in Arlington and Lexington, two other nearby heritage-rich towns where the earliest battles of the Revolutionary War were fought. Starting in Boston, Paul Revere’s fabled midnight ride – to warn the towns of the arrival of British forces – will be reenacted on foot, via rowboats and on horseback from the city’s North End to Charlestown, commencing at 10pm on 18 April 2025. 

2. Battle of Bunker Hill

Charlestown — 13–17 June
Head north of the Charles River to Boston’s oldest neighbourhood, Charlestown, on 13 June for a weeklong celebration commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill. As one of the most crucial events in the story of American independence, the battle demonstrated that American forces could hold their own against British troops. That legacy will be honoured via exhibits and storytelling, as well as the Bunker Hill Day Parade on 15 June, a tradition dating back to 1786. While events are held throughout Charlestown, the majority take place atop Breed’s Hill – the actual focal point of the slightly misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill. Here you’ll find the 200ft Bunker Hill Monument, an obelisk set up in tribute to the battle. Events culminate at the 250th anniversary of 17 June 1775, with a day of remembrance to honour those who fought and sacrificed themselves in the battle.

3. Fourth of July Celebrations

Boston — 3 & 4 July
Celebrate America’s independence in the state capital of Boston, home to one of the country’s largest and most famous Fourth of July festivals. Boston Harborfest commemorates the city’s revolutionary history with an arts market, Chowderfest, live music, historical reenactments and more, unfolding over Independence Day week. A 21-gun salute heralds the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat today, as it cruises through Boston Harbor on 3 July. The next day, join an artillery parade from City Hall and listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House, where Bostonians gathered in 1776 to hear its contents for the first time. In the evening, the Boston Pops play their annual concert on the banks of the Charles River. Fireworks await, of course, but other surprises are in store this year to commemorate the 250th anniversary.

4. Knox Trail

Year-round, Western Massachusetts
Walk in the footsteps of history by visiting stops along the Henry Knox Trail, one of the earliest heritage trails in America. The path retraces the arduous 300-mile journey taken by Henry Knox in the winter of 1775 when he transported 56 tonnes of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York to George Washington’s encampment outside Boston in just 56 days, using boats, horses, ox-drawn sledges and manpower. Thanks to Knox’s contribution, the American army captured the city, making for their first big victory in the Revolutionary War. A sizable portion of the trail weaves through the charming Western Massachusetts town of Otis, set among the lakes, ponds and rivers of the Berkshire Range. Guests can hike part of the trail and enjoy the gorgeous mountain views while following the fateful steps crucial to America’s independence 250 years ago.