26 Things to Do in Lexington in 2026

From historic moments to fresh experiences, Lexington, Massachusetts, offers something special in every season. In 2026, visitors can step back in time at Patriots’ Day celebrations and reenactments, explore local art exhibitions, enjoy scenic walking trails, and join guided tours that bring the town’s stories to life. Add in festive holiday events and year-round community happenings, and there’s no shortage of things to do in Lexington this year.

Attend the LexLux Illumination

The Munroe Center for the Arts hosts its annual LexLux Illumination Night on Saturday, January 10, at Emery Park, located at 10 Depot Square. Join us for this community event to brighten up winter in Lexington with Saturday’s Illumination Night, featuring interactive light sculptures, hot chocolate, a bonfire, and more.

Continue the celebrations January 12-24 with a packed week of activities around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with illuminations at several buildings throughout Lexington’s Cultural District. Learn more about this year’s illuminations, and plan your visit at munroecenter.org.

See local art exhibitions

Lexington has an expansive art scene, with local works to explore year-round. From Her Lens: A Photography Exhibition by Women Night Photographers runs through February 28 at the Lexington Community Center. The exhibition showcases works at night by women photographers from across the globe, and highlights women’s contributions to the night photography field that often go unrecognized.

Grace Chapel’s next exhibition, RED, runs January 17-February 28. This juried exhibition features works by a variety of New England artists, on display in Grace’s Lexington location. View our calendar to find more upcoming exhibitions ahead of your next visit.

Experience Lexington’s dining scene

Whether you’re a resident foodie or just visiting for a taste of local flavor, Lexington’s dining scene has you covered. Restaurants around here range from grab-and-go coffee shops to upscale Italian dinners, plus delis, Asian cuisine, locally made ice cream, and even a spot for afternoon tea.

While you can find something delicious in Lexington all year long, be sure to mark your calendar for Taste of Lexington, which happens each year in early December.

Attend the Lexington Lantern Festival

On February 8, local organizations join the New Legacy Cultural Center to co-host the Lexington Lantern Festival, a magical evening featuring lanterns aglow in the night sky. This third annual event takes place at First Parish Lexington and includes DIY lantern making, performances, a group blessing, and an illumination. Lunar New Year treats will also be available for purchase.

This festival is one of Lexington’s local traditions that makes our community truly special for visitors and locals alike. Events are free and open to the public, and more information is available at lantern.newlegacyculturalcenter.org.

Celebrate Women’s History with LexSeeHer

LexSeeHer was formed in 2020 to establish monuments honoring Lexington women’s contributions to the community. In the years since then, a monument has been installed downtown, and the organization has held regular events focused on women’s legacies and recent accomplishments in Lexington.

Be sure to visit the Something is Being Done monument during your visit, and check lexseeher.com for the organization’s upcoming calendar of events, especially as Women’s History Month approaches in March.

Experience Patriots’ Day in Lexington

Patriots’ Day is a focal point of Lexington’s calendar each year! With a packed schedule of events including reenactments, historical demonstrations, exhibitions, and so much more, it’s the ultimate experience for history buffs exploring the region.

This year’s Battle of Lexington Reenactment and Patriots’ Day Parade will take place on Saturday, April 18. The weekend will also include a reenactment of Paul Revere’s Ride, scavenger hunts, a children’s reenactment, and more. Save the date for this year’s festivities, and check back here for additional details in the coming months.

Explore Minute Man National Historical Park

Minute Man National Historical Park covers key locations from the Battles of Lexington and Concord, as well as sites and programming relevant to Concord’s literary heritage, and expansive cultural landscapes and walking trails. The park’s grounds are open year-round, daily from sunrise to sunset, with hours for specific locations and special events listed on nps.gov/mima.

For hiking and outdoor explorations, the Battle Road Trail runs from Fiske Hill in Lexington to Meriam’s Corner in Concord. Historic sites within the park include North Bridge, the Paul Revere Capture Site, Meriam House, Hartwell Tavern, and more.

Horse Artist Reception

Have you seen the colorful horse statues around town? They are part of the Riding Through History, an initiative by Lex250 to commemorate Paul Revere’s ride. The horse statues have been painted by local artists and community members, with each “hidden horse” offering a chance to experience local art while celebrating both Lexington’s past and its present.

An artist reception is being planned for April, with dates and information to follow. Check our calendar for the latest updates.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage is celebrated throughout May with programming and events planned around Lexington. Join in AAPI cultural events with different themes each week. Themes include history, art, food, and celebration, and more information will be available this spring at aapimonth.caal-ma.org.

Shop local at the Lexington Farmers Market

Shop local at the Lexington Farmers Market, running late-May through Late October, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving for the Thanksgiving FEASTival, and the biweekly Small Yet Mighty Winter Market January through April. 

The market brings together vendors offering local produce, baked goods, prepared goods, seafood, and more, with live music and community programming. The summer weekly farmers market runs Tuesdays from 2:00 pm-6:30 pm, and vendor information is available at lexingtonfarmersmarket.org.

Take a walking tour of the Battle Green

Take in Lexington’s Revolutionary history with a one-hour tour of the Battle Green with a Colonial Guide. Explore this National Historic Landmark while learning about the Battle of Lexington, historic markers and monuments, the role of the Old Belfry, notable figures interred at The Old Burying Ground, and more. Tours run seasonally; Find more information and plan your visit here.

Stroll through Lexington Center

Get some retail therapy in, discover a new favorite restaurant, or take in beautiful views and local history with a walk through Lexington Center. With shops for every interest and occasion, and dining options ranging from grab-and-go coffee shops and delis to beloved local restaurants and bars, you’re sure to find something for every taste and budget while you’re here.

Take the Lexington Gardens Blossoms Tour

In June, the Lexington Field & Garden Clubs hosts the Lexington Gardens Blossoms Tour, an annual event that highlights breathtaking, privately tended gardens, primarily around historic homes. The tour is a staple of the organization’s programming, but those interested in gardening can find year-round events from LFGC at lexgarden.org.

Take the Liberty Ride through Lexington and Concord

Join an expert guide in authentic period clothing for a ride through the major historic sites of Lexington and Concord in this 90-minute trolley tour. The tour includes insight into the Battles of Lexington and Concord, details on day-to-day life in Colonial America, and more, with views of the Paul Revere Capture Site, Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Concord’s Old North Bridge, the Lexington Battle Green, and more.

Tours run seasonally and begin and conclude at the Lexington Visitor Center. Find hours and pricing to plan your visit here, or stop by the Visitor Center during your trip.

Tour historic Lexington with augmented reality

New for 2026, we will be offering two 20-minute tours with views of colonial architecture included through augmented reality goggles. The tours will focus on the Meeting House and Belfry and provide a new immersive look at Lexington’s history. Additional details and booking information will be available soon. Check the tours page for the latest updates.

Hike through Great Meadows

Great Meadows is a 183-acre green space created by glacial outwash that spans from East Lexington to Arlington. Established in 1871, Great Meadows was initially used as a temporary water storage area. Today, it is a favorite outdoor recreational area for residents of Lexington and Arlington, as well as visitors from out of town. 

The space is perfect for bird-watching and wildlife spotting, as it provides a natural habitat for local wildlife. Great Meadows is accessible from both East Lexington and Arlington, with the Minuteman Bikeway providing direct access to popular trails. Visit arlingtonlandtrust.org to plan your visit.

Ride or Walk the Minuteman Bikeway

The Minuteman Bikeway connects the historic communities of Lexington, Bedford, Arlington, and Cambridge, offering a safe and enjoyable way to enjoy outdoor recreation and commute without traffic. The Bikeway connects to the Alewife T Station, providing convenient public transit access while offering locals and visitors access to one of the most popular rail-trails in the country.

Take a mural tour of Lexington

Explore Lexington’s cultural district and take in local art by embarking on a self-guided mural tour. The Lexington Mural Program features four murals at locations along the Minuteman Bikeway, beautifying and guiding visitors to businesses around town, and adding to the overall experience of Lexington’s cultural district.

Murals are located at 55 Massachusetts Avenue (Berman’s Wine and Spirits back trailer), 131 Massachusetts Avenue (Busa Wine and Spirits), 135-145 Massachusetts Avenue (The Shops at 135-145 Massachusetts Avenue), and 13 Depot Square (Lexington History Museums). Learn more about the murals and plan your visit here.

Celebrate Independence Day at the Fourth of July Carnival

The Lexington Lions Club Carnival runs the week of July 4th, adding vibrant family fun to planned Independence Day celebrations. Visit the carnival for exciting rides, games, and classic fair food, and cap off the celebrations with fireworks. Check our calendar later this year for more information.

Take a class at Munroe Center for the Arts

The Munroe Center for the Arts supports Lexington’s local arts and culture scene through annual programming, markets, exhibitions, classes, and workshops. Art classes are available for teens and adults and cover a variety of topics and media, including ceramics, dance, printmaking, stitching, and more. Find a current lineup of classes and workshops at munroecenter.org.

Visit Lexington History Museums

Explore historic sites around town and take in Lexington’s Revolutionary past with the Lexington History Museums. Learn about the events of April 19, 1775, at Buckman Tavern, where Captain Parker’s militia gathered ahead of the arrival of British troops; Hancock-Clarke House, where Reverend Jonas Clarke and his guests John Hancock and Samuel Adams were awoken by Paul Revere’s arrival and warning; and Munroe Tavern, which showcases the day’s events from the British perspective.

During your visit, be sure to stop by The Depot as well. Operating as a train station from 1846 until 1977, The Depot is now home to interactive exhibits and showcases notable Lexington residents from the pre-Revolutionary period through the present. Plan your visit at lexingtonhistory.org.

Visit historic cemeteries and burying grounds

Enhance your understanding of Lexington’s past and pay respects to those who served with a visit to historic final resting places. The oldest cemetery in Lexington, Ye Olde Burying Ground, was established in 1690 and is the final resting place for more than 50 patriots from the Revolutionary War.

Tours of the Battle Green include a stop at Ye Olde Burying Ground, and information on Lexington’s other historic cemeteries may be found here.

Shop local for the holidays

Whether you live nearby or are celebrating the holidays in the region, Lexington Center offers unique local shopping perfect for everyone on your list. Shop local for shoes, comics, jewelry, ornaments, outerwear, bicycles, and so much more. Save time to stop for lunch or dinner, and keep an eye out for specials around Small Business Saturday, the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Attend the Burning of the Tea Reenactment

Days before the Boston Tea Party took place in 1773, leaders and townspeople from Lexington staged their own protest with the Burning of the Tea. Like the Boston Tea Party, this event contributed to the growing tensions that would ultimately kick off the American Revolution.

Each December, the Burning of the Tea is reenacted alongside educational activities and programming supported by the Lexington History Museums and the Chinese-American Association of Lexington. Learn more about the event in this blog post, and check the calendar for updates on this year’s reenactment.

See the Menorah & Christmas Tree Lighting

While strolling through Lexington Center during the holidays, be sure to stop by the town’s Menorah and Christmas Tree, located on the lawn outside The Depot. Check the calendar for details on Lighting Up Lexington, and plan your visit around both lightings alongside live music, hot cocoa, and more.

Stay overnight or for a weekend

Want to explore more of Lexington, Massachusetts? Whether Lexington is a stop on your New England road trip, or you’re a local looking for a memorable staycation, a more extended stay can help ensure you experience all there is to see and do in town. Nearby accommodations include a traditional inn, a full-service hotel, and a bed and breakfast. Start planning your next stay in Lexington here.