Massachusetts 250 Events Calendar

Welcome to our Massachusetts 250 Events Calendar! Explore can’t-miss events, historic experiences, and celebrations across the state. Plus, visit our Celebrate Massachusetts 250 page for additional information and tips.

Arts & Crafts Shows Children & Families Fairs & Festivals Historic Museums Workshops & Classes

We welcome the events that are open to the public. Click here to Submit your Event for FREE

Arts & Crafts Shows

Myth and Memory: Stories of the American Revolution

May 15, 2026 - Nov 16, 2026 1424 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186

Explore the personal stories, memories, and myths behind the American Revolution in Myth and Memory: Stories of the American Revolution, a compelling exhibition from Historic New England.

Drawing from Historic New England’s extensive collection of artifacts and archival materials, the exhibit examines how the Revolution shaped the lives of everyday people across New England. Through objects connected to individuals, families, and communities, visitors gain an intimate look at the hopes, struggles, loyalties, and sacrifices experienced during the birth of a new nation.

Organized around the themes of Resistance, Loyalty, Liberty, and Memory, the exhibition invites audiences to reflect not only on the events of the Revolution itself, but also on how its stories have been remembered, interpreted, and woven into America’s collective identity over time.

By highlighting deeply personal experiences alongside broader historical narratives, Myth and Memory offers a thoughtful exploration of the Revolution’s enduring legacy and the many voices that helped shape the nation’s history.

Friday - May 15, 2026 - 11:00 am / Monday - November 16, 2026 - 5:00 pm

Children & Families

Calling All Kids, Patriots And Sailors: Revolutionary Summer Saturdays

Apr 4, 2026 - Sep 26, 2026 Custom House Maritime Museum, Water Street 25 Newburyport, MA 01950

Enjoy free indoor and outdoor fun for kids every Saturday through the end of September! Families can explore 15 hands-on activity stations, including crafts, water and sand tables, printmaking with Rolling River Printmakers of New England, a bouncy castle, pirate boat with water guns, and even rideable dolphin and elephant sculptures by local artist Jeff Briggs.

The museum’s popular Discovery Center experience will also expand onto the lawn, creating an exciting day of learning and play for children of all ages. This free program is made possible through the generous support of the Institution for Savings and the Local Cultural Council.

In September, the museum will also partner with Imagine Studios, Darius Coombs of the Mashpee Wampanoag, and Jonathan Petty of the Aquinnah Wampanoag to create a traditional 20-foot mishoon (dugout canoe) over several weekends, with plans to launch it on Indigenous Peoples Day, October 11.

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
978-462-8681

Fairs & Festivals

75th Annual Flag Day

Jun 13, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026 1259 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169

Save the date, Quincy!

Join us for Quincy’s beloved 75th Annual Flag Day Celebration — an evening filled with community spirit, tradition, and patriotic pride.

The festivities will feature a parade, flag-raising ceremony, and spectacular fireworks. Bring your friends, family, and Quincy spirit as the community comes together to celebrate this special tradition.

7:00PM

Historic

Revolutionary Narratives: From Broadsides to Hollywood

May 13, 2026 - Jun 13, 2026 Massachusetts Historical Society Boylston Street 1154, Boston, MA 02215

Explore how the story of the American Revolution has been debated, interpreted, and reshaped across generations in this thought-provoking hybrid program featuring historians Jordan Taylor and Michael Hattem.

From Revolutionary-era newspapers and broadsides filled with competing opinions and misinformation to later reinterpretations shaped by events like the Civil War and Cold War, this discussion examines how Americans have continually revisited the nation’s founding to define what it means to be American.

Presented during the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, the program will explore how historical narratives evolve over time and how public understanding of independence continues to influence modern conversations about identity, politics, and national memory.

Hosted as a hybrid event, the program includes an in-person reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the discussion at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free for virtual attendees and Massachusetts Historical Society members, with additional accessibility options available through the Card to Culture program.

To register, visit Massachusetts Historical Society Event Registration

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
617-536-1608

A Plymouth Community Ceremony for America’s 250th (Plymouth)

Jun 27, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026 Plymouth Town Square Corner of Main & Leyden Streets, Plymouth, MA 02360

Join the Town of Plymouth for a special ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Held in Town Square, this patriotic event will feature a community reading of the Declaration by residents representing both 1776 and 2026, patriotic music, a flag-raising ceremony, a color guard salute, and remarks from state and local officials. Celebrate this historic milestone and honor the enduring spirit of American independence.

1:00 PM
Free

Voices of Independence at The Old Whaling Church at Vineyard Preservation Trust

Jul 7, 2026 - Jul 7, 2026 Old Whaling Church, Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at Voices of Independence, a powerful evening of spoken word and music at Martha’s Vineyard’s historic Old Whaling Church. Featuring live readings of historic texts, personal reflections, original works, and musical performances, this special one-night event brings together Island leaders, artists, and community voices to explore the enduring ideals of liberty, democracy, and civic responsibility. Experience an inspiring tribute to the nation’s past while reflecting on the values that continue to shape its future.

5:30 – 7:00 PM
Admission Fee: Suggested $20 per ticket, pay what you can

Museums

Untold Stories: The Battle of Menotomy, Voices of the Overlooked, & Centennial Commemorations At Arlington Historical Society

Apr 19, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 7 Jason Street, Arlington, MA 02476

Our new “Untold Stories” exhibition explores the perspectives of often-overlooked communities involved and examines how the people of the Commonwealth commemorated, memorialized, and celebrated the important anniversaries of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.

See website for more details.

Workshops & Classes

250 Years Later: Thoughts on the American Revolution with Nathaniel Philbrick at Martha's Vineyard Museum

Jul 14, 2026 - Jul 14, 2026 Old Whaling Church, Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Join acclaimed historian and bestselling author Nathaniel Philbrick for an insightful evening exploring the legacy of the American Revolution 250 years later. Presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, this special event at the historic Old Whaling Church will feature Philbrick’s reflections on the people, events, and ideas that shaped the nation. Drawing from his celebrated Revolutionary War works, Philbrick offers fresh perspectives on this pivotal chapter in American history and its connections to communities like Martha’s Vineyard.

5:00 PM
Admission Fee: Lecture only: $30 | Lecture + Reception: $50 | VIP Lecture Seating + Reception: $100