Boston Hosts Annual Tea Party Reenactment

As they have for 239 years, Bostonians are once again reenacting the Boston Tea Party, the iconic protest that sparked the American Revolution, on Dec. 16 this year.

The events of Dec. 16, 1773 are brought to life by reenactors from across New England who dramatize the evening in three parts, beginning with a colonial meeting at the Old South Meeting House, then a march to Boston Harbor, and culminating with destruction of tea in Boston Harbor.

Admission to the first event, The Meeting of the Body of the People, a one-hour colonial meeting re-creation, including a debate with Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, includes reserved seating along Boston Harbor for the destruction of the tea later in the evening. Tickets are $15 and proceeds go toward the preservation of the Old South Meeting House.

After the meeting, the public can march in a free procession from Milk Street to Congress Street and finally to Pearl Street. Upon arrival at Boston Harbor, attendees can line the shores and watch the Sons of Liberty storm the Brig Beaver and destroy chests of East India tea. Admission to the march and tea destruction is free.

The annual event is sponsored by the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, which reopened in June following an 11-year closure, and the Old South Meeting House museum.

Lauren Mack is the Travel Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @lmack.