For 250 years, Boston Harbor has been a stage for transformation—shaping the course of history, democracy, and innovation.
It was here, in these waters, that the first ripples of revolution began.
The Boston Tea Party sent a bold message of defiance across an empire. Steps from the Harbor, the Boston Massacre ignited the call for liberty. Signals from the Harbor helped set Paul Revere’s midnight ride into motion, rallying the colonies to war. The arrival of the Continental Army’s first naval fleet marked the birth of an American fighting force shaping the waterfront for centuries, while the British retreat and the destruction of Boston Light signaled a turning point in the fight for independence.
Today, the Harbor continues to evolve. It is a place of conservation and resilience, a landscape of equitable access, a living link to the past, and a source of hope for the future. In partnership with dozens of public agencies and community organizations, Boston Harbor Now is proud to present a slate of Revolution 250 programs that bring these stories to life. We invite you to explore the events that shaped a nation, to stand where history unfolded, and to see how the Harbor remains a force of inspiration, change, and strength.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Revelry and Revolution: An Evacuation Day Harbor Cruise
Learn the real history of the British evacuation of Boston in 1776 on this two-hour excursion through the Boston Harbor, featuring live historical music and views of Boston Light. Park rangers will provide historical narration of events as we pass key landmarks on the cruise, all while navigating the waters the British used to evacuate town.
- Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | REGISTER
Knox Trail 250 – Roxbury
This sequenced program is designed to represent the Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery of 1776, the catalyst for what we now recognize in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Evacuation Day. In Massachusetts, starting in Great Barrington, going through over 33 towns, a simulation of the journey would be celebrated in designated hubs. This sequenced parade of regional recognition will incorporate the invitation and participation of town managers, local historians, celebrating the commemoration and respective connections in the Noble Trail of Artillery.
- Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Learn More
250th Anniversary of Evacuation Day
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Evacuation Day with the re-dedication of the Dorchester Heights Monument, commemorating the British evacuation of Boston in 1776, a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. This event marks the 250th anniversary of the strategic fortification of Dorchester Heights by General George Washington and the Continental Army, which compelled British forces to withdraw from Boston without a major battle. The ceremony celebrates the ingenuity, resilience, and leadership that helped secure early American victories and underscores Boston’s vital role in the nation’s fight for independence.
- Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Learn More
Dorchester Heights Remembrance Illumination
This luminaria event invites visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with a turning point in the American Revolution. Two thousand luminaria will illuminate the fully restored national landmark to honor the legacy of Evacuation Day, which marks the end of the Siege of Boston.
- Friday, March 13, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | REGISTER
Encampment & Monument Open
Step back in time at Dorchester Heights and experience an American Revolution era artillery encampment brought to life. See authentic cannons up close and learn about the British evacuation of Boston in 1776. This hands-on, family-friendly program offers a vivid look at the technology and teamwork that helped change the course of American history. Visitors will also have the opportunity to climb the newly restored Dorchester Heights Monument for sweeping views of the harbor and city skyline.
- Saturday, March 14, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn More
Ongoing Events
Boston Lighthouse Cruises and the 250th Anniversary of Siege of Boston
Join this weekly tour to learn more about Boston Harbor’s role in the Revolutionary War and the Siege of Boston.
- Starts June 27th, 2026!
REVOLUTIONARY HARBOR LECTURE SERIES
Join the National Parks of Boston for this special winter lecture series, which runs monthly from January through March.
- The Siege and Boston Harbor Communities | Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 | 6 PM – 7:30 PM | REGISTER
- TBD | April 16, 2026
SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS!
Boston Harbor Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our programs would not be possible without the support of our generous donors. We hope you will consider joining your neighbors with a gift in support of our community programming.
