Bunker Hill Parade 2024

June 16, 2024 | Charlestown, MA

come Join Us!


Your organization can be a part of the grandest tradition in our community—the annual Bunker Hill Commemoration and community Parade!


Don’t miss the opportunity to join these festivities complete with tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators, significant media coverage, and good old-fashioned patriotic spirit. So consider bringing an all-American theme to life and apply to participate today.


The 249th commemoration of the Battle of Bunker Hill

June 16, 2025

12:30 PM

Formation 11:30 AM Bunker Hill Street and Vine Street

Parade Route

June 16, 2024

Getting To the parade

People coming into Charlestown to attend are encouraged not to drive their personal vehicles. Information on Bluebikes, the regional bike share service, may be found on the Bluebikes website and information on the MBTA may be found on the MBTA website. Walking is also a great way to move around Boston.


Marchers will gather on Vine Street in Charlestown and the parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. Participants will march from Vine Street to Bunker Hill Street, to Main Street, to Monument Avenue, to Monument Square, to Winthrop Street to Common Street. Streets along the route will be closed to traffic through approximately 5 p.m. Enforcement of the parking restriction will begin as early as 7 a.m.


street closures

  • Vine Street, Both sides, from Chelsea Street to Bunker Hill Street
  • Bunker Hill Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to Main Street
  • Main Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Monument Avenue
  • Monument Avenue, Both sides from Main Street to Warren Street
  • Monument Square, See Below
  • Winthrop Street, Both sides, from 49-50 Monument Square to Common Street
  • Common Street, Northeast side from Winthrop Street to Park Street
  • Adams Street, South side from Winthrop Street to Common
  • Bunker Hill Street, Both sides, from Tufts Street to Lowney Way
  • Chelsea Street, Both sides, from Fifth Street (Gate #4) to Medford Street
  • Corey Street, Both sides, from Moulton Street to Samuel Morse Way
  • Decatur Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to Samuel Morse Way
  • Hunter Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Vine Street
  • Moulton Street, Both sides, from Bunker Hill Street to Moulton Way
  • Tufts Street, Both sides, from Vine Street to O’Reilly Way


Parade Order

  • One
  • Two
  • Three
  • Four
  • Five
  • Six
  • Seven
  • Eight
  • Nine
  • Ten
  • Eleven
  • Twelve
  • Thirteen
  • Fourteen
  • Fifteen
  • Sixteen
  • Seventeen
  • Eighteen
  • Nineteen
  • Twenty


parade lookback...

1786. On June 17th a large parade to celebrate the completion of the Charlestown Bridge began in Boston, stopped on the bridge to celebrate and then proceeded to Bunker’s Hill where a dinner was held. [American Recorder and Charlestown Advertiser, 6/20/1786, p. 2]


1794. Charlestown Artillery Company and the Boston Independent Fusiliers paraded from Fanueil Hall to Warren Hall in Charlestown where they weretreated to a dinner and patriotic toasts. [Independent Chronicle (Boston), 6/19/1794, p. 3]


1802. Parade of the artillery companies, recreated battle, and a dinner with toasts. [Republican Gazetteer (Boston), 6/19/1801, p. 3]


1812. Independent Boston Fusiliers, “as usual on the occasion”, marched to the top of Bunker Hill, had a dinner and then returned. [The Yankee (Boston), 6/19/1812, p.3]


1824. Three Light Infantry Companies, the Warren Phalanx, The Blues, and the Columbian Guards, with the Charlestown Artillery were under arms. They were joined by the Columbian Artillery Company of Boston. Salutes were fired morning, noon and night. The Governor and suite visited Charlestown and partook of entertainments on the consecrated heights. [Boston Evening Gazette, 6/19/1824, p. 3]


1825. 150,000 people turned out for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle. Procession formed near the State House under direction of Brig. General Lyman. Military Escort was composed of 16 companies and a corps of Cavalry. This was followed by survivors of the battle, about 40 in number. They were followed by 100-200 Revolutionary Officers and

Soldiers. They were followed by members of the BHMA and then by the Masons, of whom there were about 2,000. Next came General Lafayette and various government officials. The procession went from the State House, crossed Charlestown River Bridge, then along Main, Green and High streets to Monument Square. A ceremony was held for the laying of the cornerstone of the monument. [Columbian Centinel, 6/18/1825, p. 2]


1842. The morning was ushered by a salute of thirteen guns fired from the top of the

monument. The cannon, for this purpose, was hoisted by steam power. [Boston

Courier, 6/20/1842, p. 1]


1847. The City Council of Charlestown steps in to organize the celebration. Typical firing of guns and ringing of church bells. A procession including most of the local politicians and state officers, federal officers, Navy, State prison, BHMA, etc. (full list in article). Parade from the Square, around town and end up at Church on Warren Street (full route in article). Brigade and Cornet bands will play from 8-10 in the evening in Monument Square. [Boston Semi-weekly Advertiser, 6/16/1847, p. 2]




1850. 75th anniversary. Celebration directed by City and BHMA. At 10:30, procession was formed at City Square. Went to Bow, Washington Union, Main, Eden, then to Sullivan, High, around Monument and Winthrop squares, through Winthrop, Main and Water to the navy yard. There were 8 militia companies, followed by the dignitaries, the government of Charlestown and the directors of the BHMA, then the Governor and State Representatives, other politicians. One survivor of the Rev War was present. After him came federal officials, fire departments, fraternal organizations including the Irish Mutal Relief Societies, professors and students of Harvard and then citizens. The procession arrived at the Navy Yard and an oration was given in the Ship House. Edward Everett spoke for an hour and ten minutes. [Boston Daily Evening Transcript, 6/18/1850, p. 1]


1854. The Common Council of Charlestown made excellent arrangements for the celebration of the day. The bells were rung, flags were displayed from the monument and every conspicuous place, salutes were fired by the Charlestown Artillery, and in the evening there was music on Monument Hill. [Boston Daily Atlas, 6/19/1854, p. 2]


1855. Duly commemorated in Charlestown today by both the city authorities and citizens. The Charlestown Artillery, City Guard and the Fire Department paraded through town. In the evening was fireworks from the summit of Bunker Hill and music by the Boston Brass Band and the Charlestown Brass Band. [Boston Evening Transcript, 6/18/1855, p. 2]


1859. City officials decorated the town with banners and flags. Charlestown City Guard and Charlestown Artillery with the Boston Light Infantry paraded through the town and then had a lunch at the City Hall. Charlestown Fire Companies had their own parade that evening. [Boston post, 6/20/1859, p. 1]


1870. In addition to the usual military units, brass bands, fire companies and city officials, the parade included 1200 school children carrying flowers and flags and 160 men from the GAR Abraham Lincoln Post 11, [Boston Traveler, 6/17/1870, p. 2]


1872. The celebration was focused on the dedication of the soldiers monument in the Training Field. Procession began about 9:30 am, and included GAR contingents from all over the state. There was a large military presence, brass bands, fire companies, city officials. No mention of a floral procession. The parade halted at the Training Field for the dedication. Mayor Kent gave his speech here. [Boston Daily Evening Traveler, 6/17/1872, p. 2]


1875. On the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, reported to be the “best ever” celebration. Antiques and horribles paraded early. Large number of military units from all over the country. Very large parade from Boston to Charlestown. [Boston Daily Journal, 6/18/1875, p. 1]




See you on

Parade Day!

Make a Donation: Venmo: @bunker-hill-parade


Check: POBox 290741

Charlestown, MA 02129

For any inquiries, message us at aahurley@earthlink.net


City of Boston Rules and Regs for Parade Participation can be found here.