Redcoats and Rebels
- Dates
- Expected August 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Old Sturbridge Village
- Price
- $35
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 16, 2026
Redcoats and Rebels's 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. The last festival was 1 to 2 August 2026 in Sturbridge, MA. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Each August, Old Sturbridge Village stages Redcoats and Rebels, described by the museum and regional press as the largest military reenactment in New England. Hundreds of reenactors portraying soldiers, artisans, and civilian camp followers set up British and Colonial encampments across the museum's grounds, and visitors can watch drills, musket and cannon demonstrations, and a battle, chat with artisan craftspeople, listen to fife and drum music, and tour the camps alongside the Village's own costumed historians. The two-day event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is aimed at families, history buffs, and curious visitors of all ages
What people love
Visitors and photographers describe an event that feels alive, praising the reenactors as friendly, knowledgeable, and dedicated to their craft, and recommending it for the whole family. Old Sturbridge Village more broadly draws consistent praise as a well-maintained living-history museum with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
Last time around (2026)
The 2026 Redcoats and Rebels ran August 1-2, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with hundreds of costumed reenactors, British and Colonial encampments, drills, musket and cannon demonstrations, a battle, and fife and drum music across the Village grounds
See it before you go
Costumes & what to wear
Do I need a costume?
General-admission visitors attend in ordinary clothes to tour the encampments, watch demonstrations, and talk with reenactors; period dress is for the participating reenacting units. Revolutionary War reenacting groups interested in taking part are directed to contact the Village by email. Direct spectator-costume guidance for this specific event was thin in the sources on file, so this reflects the event's spectator/participant structure
Costume rules
The event features hundreds of costumed reenactors portraying both soldiers and civilians, plus Old Sturbridge Village's own costumed historians. General-admission visitors are not required to be in costume. Visitors are not permitted to bring weapons, and are asked to leave realistic-looking toy guns at home; wooden toy muskets like those sold in the Village shops are permitted
Weapons policy
Visitors are not permitted to bring weapons, and the museum asks that children leave any toy guns that look realistic at home. Wooden toy muskets, like those sold in the Village shops, are permitted. Musket and cannon demonstrations and a battle are performed by registered reenactors
Joining in
Guests explore the grounds and military encampments at their own pace, watch drills, musket and cannon demonstrations, and a battle, chat with artisan craftspeople and costumed reenactors, listen to fife and drum music, and can learn to march and enjoy old-fashioned amusements. Many demonstrations run continuously through the day
Getting there
How do I get to Redcoats and Rebels?
By car
Most people drive to Redcoats and Rebels. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
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Where
Venue
Old Sturbridge Village
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Redcoats and Rebels?
Airport hotels 2
225 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Link coming soon185 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Link coming soonHotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Pricing
Historical context
This is a living-history reenactment of the American Revolution, staging encampments and a battle between British and Colonial (Continental) forces on the grounds of Old Sturbridge Village, a nonprofit living-history museum. The event portrays 18th-century military and civilian life through costumed reenactors and the museum's costumed historians.
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