16 Things to See & Do in Concord this Spring

1 Join Minute Man National Historical Park

April 8 through 19 for events honoring the men and women who fought for a new nation on April 19, 1775. See our article on p. 12 for a comprehensive list of activities and events in Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln and witness the thrilling reenactments of the events along the battle road!

2 Everyone loves a parade!

Enjoy the annual Patriots Day Parade as reenactors, local groups, veterans, and Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution march to the beat of fife and drum, including a ceremony at the North Bridge. April 17, starts at 9 am. visitconcord.org

3 An Enemy Among Us!

While visiting the Concord Museum on April 17, beware! A redcoat from the British Army is roaming the galleries, looking for provincial rebels! Talk with him about the experiences of the redcoats in the days leading up to April 19, 1775.

4 Join in the Patriot Vigil on April 18.

As darkness descends upon the North Bridge, take a moment to reflect on the events of April 19, 1775, and the meaning of liberty. The evening ceremony features a lantern-light procession, poetry, music, and a recitation of the names of the soldiers who gave their lives on that fateful day. Please bring your own enclosed lantern – real candles only – no flashlights or LED lights please.

©Town of Concord, MA

5 Visit the brave Acton Minutemen Company encampment at the Concord Museum

on April 17 and see them drilling with muskets to prepare for battle. “I haven’t a man who is afraid to go!” Also at the encampment, you’ll see civilians cooking over a firepit, demonstrating colonial spinning and sewing, and meet an artisan demonstrating how various objects were made from horn during the colonial period – including powder horns and everyday items such as cups and combs.

6 Earth Day returns to The Umbrella Arts Center

on April 22nd with creative, family-friendly celebrations on the front lawn. Make and launch your own Earth Day float, enjoy live music, partake in arts & crafts, and join in the fun with the Earth Month Exhibit scavenger hunt.

©istock.com/kali9

7 Nothing says SPRING like flowers!

Visit some of Concord’s finest private gardens as the Concord Museum Guild of Volunteers hosts the 34th Annual Garden Tour on June 2 and 3. This self-paced, self-guided tour lets you inhale the delicate scent of roses, peonies, and other spring flowers while listening to the happy sounds of birds and bees. It’s a dose of happiness for the soul! Tickets go on sale April 15 at concordmuseum.org

©Jennifer C. Schünemann

8 On April 14, celebrate the 200th birthday of Ellen Garrison

–anti-slavery activist, teacher, and pioneer. She was the first person to test the 1866 Civil Rights Act in court, when she stood up for her rights after she was forcibly ejected from a segregated waiting room at a Baltimore train station. Learn about her fascinating life in our article on p. 58.

9 The Umbrella Arts Center presents Points of Return

May 1 to June 25. Artists from all over the world take over two floors of the building, as well as the black box theatre with stunning visual exhibits, a multimedia show, curator tours of the work, and other activities. Led by co-curators from Spain and Ireland, this show is expected to attract international attention – don’t miss it! theumbrellaarts.org

10 May is Preservation Month

Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Did you know that Concord has 26 historic places on the register, including the Emerson House, the Old Manse, the Colonel James Barrett Farm, and Minute Man National Historical Park? Curious about our cultural heritage? Find a list of Concord’s sites, and others across the nation, at nps. .gov/subjects/nationalregister/databaseresearch.htm#table

11 Dive into the fun world of folk art and dancing

at the National Folk Organization Conference March 29 through April 1 at the Trinitarian Congregational Church and the Scout House. Enjoy workshops, presentations, and dancing to live music. nfo-usa.com

12 Flowers aren’t the only thing blooming this spring!

The arts are alive and vibrant in Concord, with dozens of concerts, gallery exhibits, and theatrical productions on stage to thrill and delight children and adults alike. Plan a night (or several!) on the town with our “Arts Around Town” article on p. 70 and the “Artist Spotlight” on p. 68. Concord’s restaurants are here to make your night out a feast for all the senses. Turn to “Where to Stay, Where to Shop, Where to Eat” on p. 41 to book the perfect table to start your night out in Concord.

13 Visit The Old Manse

and learn about the fascinating home that witnessed the events of April 19, 1775 and, a century later, housed two of Concord’s most famous writers: Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. thetrustees.org/ place/the-old-manse

14 Take a day to shop local

The town centers of Concord, West Concord, Thoreau Depot, and Nine-Acre Corner have almost anything you can think of! Have some fun and explore our comprehensive guide of “Where to Stay, Where to Shop, Where to Eat” on p. 41 and then use our neighborhood maps on p. 42 and 43 to guide your way. There’s even a list of restaurants and coffee shops to visit when you’re feeling hungry. Enjoy!

15 Rent a bicycle at the Visitor Center

and explore Concord and the surrounding area! Nature lovers will enjoy peddling along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and history buffs can take in the many sites of the battle road in Minute Man National Historical Park. visitconcord.org

©Jennifer C. Schünemann

16 Enjoy al fresco dining

as our town’s restaurants welcome you this spring with outdoor dining on a New England front porch (Concord’s Colonial Inn), a tucked away patio (Fiorella’s Cucina), and an outside spot with great people watching (Woods Hill Table). Or grab a to-go order and enjoy a picnic spot by the Visitor Center, the Concord Free Public Library, or next to Concord Teacakes in West Concord (they have delicious takeout options, as well as heavenly cakes and coffees). See our guide on p. 41 and discover your next dining delight!