Commemoration of the 250th anniversary of NBPT’s first reading of the Declaration of Independence, with readings, music, reenactors and more
Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the people of Newburyport will gather in Market Square to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud, 250 years to the day after it was first publicly read there. This public reading is the central moment of Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast, a full day of Revolutionary history, community participation, demonstrations, music, family activities, and historic sailing vessels stretching from Brown Square to the waterfront.
The Museum of Old Newbury, in partnership with the Custom House Maritime Museum, Lowell’s Boat Shop, the First Religious Society, Theater in the Open, the City of Newburyport, the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, and many more community partners, will present Newburyport 250 Declaration of Independence Day: The Die Is Cast on Sunday, July 19, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Newburyport.
Throughout the day, Revolutionary townsfolk, soldiers, sailors, demonstrations, and three historic sailing vessels will bring the past to life, along with family activities from Brown Square to the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Period activities will include artillery and musket demonstrations, arts, crafts, printing, cooking, and tattooing experiences. These activities are designed to build toward the 2 p.m. reading in Market Square and then carry the commemoration forward to the waterfront.
Sponsored in part by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) as part of the statewide MA250 campaign.
