All events are FREE and open to the public - some events do require pre-registration
The 2026 Burning of Kingston events take place October 15th through the 18th.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (except where *noted)
VIEW MAP OF KINGSTON HISTORIC STOCKADE DISTRICT AND
Thursday, October 15
5-5:45pm - PINTS PAST
Rough Draft Bar and Books, 82 John Street Revolutionary happy hour as local historians host table-talk of how the British Army voted Kingston the "Hottest Upstate Community" in October of 1777. A freewheeling discussion on everything you wanted to know about Ulster County in the age of Revolution.
6-9pm - HAMILTON: THE MOVIE – A Film Screening Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Burning of Kingston weekend welcome and introduction. Opening remarks, followed by a screening of the original Broadway production of the award-winning musical.
The original Broadway production of the award-winning musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, first secretary of the treasury, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway styles, filmed from the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York.
Friday, October 16
10-5pm - SENATE HOUSE MUSEUM & TOURS Senate House, 296 Fair Street
Explore new galleries, including “Revolution Comes to Kingston” featuring new research on Kingston’s role in the American Revolution and the Senate House’s story.
Take a guided tour of the Senate House, learn about the Van Gaasbeek family who lived there, and about the first meeting of the first New York State Senate that happened here.
* $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and children ages 12 and under are free. Admission includes both a guided tour and museum access.
6-8:30pm - BLACK PATRIOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
RESCHEDULED
Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s “Black Patriots of the American Revolution” at the Old Dutch Church will be postponed to a future time/date”
Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Film Screening – Black Patriots: Heroes of the American Revolution
7pm – Zoe Poller, solo cello. Jazz Vespers – Songs, Storytelling, Poetry, Spoken Word Jazz Improv featuring: Kitt Potter - Vocals, Eric Persen – Sax and Flute, John Esposito – Piano, Steve Rust –Bass, Tani Tabbal – Drums, Antonya Barnes –spoken word artist, LotuZ – spoken word artist, Evelyn Clarke – storyteller.
Saturday, October 17
10am-5pm - COLONIAL CAMP RE-ENACTMENTS
Visit the British encampment at Senate House located at 296 Fair St.
Visit the Colonial Militia encampment at the DAR House located at 106 Green Street.
Visit civilian demonstrations at Old Dutch Church grounds located at 272 Wall St.
10am-3pm - TOURS OF THE DAR HOUSE
106 Green Street
Explore one of the oldest stone houses in the city, built before 1695, filled with history and treasures.
Built before 1695 and first recorded as owned by Anthony Crispell, later passing to Matthys Van Keuren and Hendricus (Henry) Sleight. Damaged during the October 16, 1777 burning of Kingston by British forces, then promptly rebuilt. Visited by General George Washington in November 1782 when he was welcomed by Village President Henry Sleight. Purchased in 1907 by the Wiltwyck Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR), who hired notable local architect Myron Teller to restore and rejuvenate the structure. It serves as a local landmark and chapter headquarters.
10am-5pm - SENATE HOUSE MUSEUM & TOURS
Senate House, 296 Fair Street. Standard admission applies
10am-4pm - BURNING OF KINGSTON INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY
Senate House, 296 Fair Street
Put yourself in the role of various people who lived through the Burning of Kingston, learn about their story, and place them on period maps to trace where they might have traveled in its aftermath. Fun activity for children and parents.
10:15-10:45am - MILITARY SKIRMISH AT FROG ALLEY
Intersection of Frog Alley and North Front Street
Ulster Militia encounters an Advanced Guard of the British forces at the historic ruins at Frog Alley, seeking to delay their advance into Kingston – a tactical reenactment.
12pm - PRESENTATION ON LENAPE NATIVE HISTORY IN KINGSTON
Senate House grounds, 296 Fair Street
Presented by Harv Hilowitz – the Esopus-Lenape and their ancestors lived and thrived in Lenapehoking for over 12,000 years, and locally along the Mahicannituck (Hudson River). Then in 1609, everything changed with the coming of Henry Hudson. By the Revolutionary War, most Esopus had fled the area in small bands due to warfare and forced migrations. Today the Lenape are a federally recognized tribe, living on three US reservations and three First Nation Canadian reserves. This talk is about their lifeways before contact, and how they persevere today, with many descendants living in the Hudson Valley. The talk also touches on the renaissance in Indian Country and how Native People are a thriving part of American society.
1pm - WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE BURNING?
Senate House grounds, 296 Fair Street
A presentation by NYS Senate House Site Manager Aaron Robinson. Get the ‘big picture’ of what really happened during the Burning of Kingston.
1-5pm - BKS Lawn Party
Front lawn of Basch Keegan & Spada Offices - 303 & 307 Clinton Avenue
Beer Garden by Keegan Ales, including their Old Capitol Golden Ale and 1777 Amber Ale and local hard cider (available for purchase), Free Apple Cider Donuts, Free Photo Booth by Hudson Valley Photo Booths, Tricorn Hat Giveaway and other swag.
*Alcohol can only be consumed at BKS location.
2-2:30pm - THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BURNING
Senate House grounds, 296 Fair Street
“The Night Before the Burning”, a new 30-minute play written and directed by Lise Hopson, featuring twelve real-life historic Kingston characters dealing with the crisis facing them that tumultuous October of 1777. The play dramatizes the actual positions and actions of these historic figures, the conversations and controversies members of the Committee of Safety and certain community leaders may have voiced, as well as the inner thoughts and feelings of other affected individuals - wives and mothers, enslaved persons, a military captain, and the pastor of the Old Dutch Church
The play will be performed by 12 actors in full costume, under a tent on the grounds of the Senate House in uptown Kingston, Saturday, October 17, at 2 PM. Amplification provided. FREE admission.
Our Cast in order of appearance:
Narrator: Lise Hopson
Johannes Sleght: Eric Heffler
Jacobus Low: Jason Harucki
John Beekman: Hank Neimark
Hendrick Schoonmaker: Michael Breglia
Christopher Tappen: Alan Schleier
Abraham Hasbrouck: Edward Peters
Flora: Emmanuela Desanges
Annatje Tappen: Melissa Tracy
Dominie George Doll: Joseph McDonald
Susanna Doll: Rachael Scorca
Pierre Van Cortlandt: David Winograd
3-3:30pm - STREET BATTLE RE-ENACTMENTS BETWEEN BRITISH AND COLONIAL MILITIA
(Kingston’s Uptown Stockade District - refer to map for locations) Reenactors demonstrate battles throughout the streets. The British capture the Mayor, and he is tried. The outcome is unsure!Please note, event has loud sounds of gunfire and cannon
VIEW MAP OF PATH OF BATTLE THRU STOCKADE >
4-4:30pm - THE FLIGHT, THE BURNING, THE AFTERMATH
Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Multimedia presentation with projections of the fleeing masses and British Burning of Kingston – produced by B.A. Miale; David Gonzalez – Narrator; Script by Aaron Robinson
B.A. (she/her) is a prolific and psychedelic music video creator and live projection artist inspired by music and the majestic natural elements that surround her home in the Hudson Valley.
5-6:30pm - A REVOLUTION OF HER OWN™ DEBORAH SAMPSON - History At Play™, LLC
Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Living History Presentation by Judith Kalaora followed by
Q and A’s
Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long production chronicling her life.
A Living History Performance of Deborah Sampson, the first woman to enlist, fight, and be honorably discharged from the American Military, captivates audiences in an hour-long program chronicling her life. An indentured servant by age five, Deborah grew up in a world, where women were naught but second-class subjects. Without the ability to vote nor own property, Deborah knew her options were limited. Breaking the rules may be necessary to accomplish a greater goal in life.
This award-winning living history experience is internationally renowned, was thrice named one of the Top 7 Things to Do in NYC, and received a standing ovation Off-Broadway, in the United Solo Theatre Festival, 42nd St, NYC.
7-11pm - THE COLONIAL GRAND BALL & RECEPTION
Old Dutch Church, Bethany Hall, 272 Wall Street
Come as yourself, dressed up, or in colonial gear and dance to the real oldies with 18th century music and reenactors. Dance instructions start at 7pm, dance begins at 7:30. Featuring Tiddly-Pom English Country Dance Music Group and Caller.
Sunday, October 18
9-11:30am - CAPITAL TO CAPITAL 5K RUN/WALK
https://www.kingstonnyrotary.org/page/captocap
Kingston Rotary Capital to Capital 5K Run/Walk honors the spirit of resilience and renewal of Kingston by tracing the route of refugees fleeing Kingston to Hurley in 1777. Kick-off at the Hurley-Kingston Rail Trail head at Washington Ave by the CMRR tracks, and ending at the Hurley Heritage Society Museum. Pre-registration required to participate in timed run.
10:30 - 11:30am OLD DUTCH CHURCH SERVICE
Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Lessons and Chorales of the Revolutionary War Period Kairos Consort of Singers
1-3pm - HISTORIC HURLEY WALKING TOURS & MUSEUM
Hurley Heritage Society Museum, 52 Main Street, Hurley Walking tour of historic Main Street’s colonial stone houses. Tours at 1, 2 and 3pm - pre-registration required (shuttle-bus from Uptown Kingston to Hurley available). Visit museum (free) with new Revolutionary War and colonial era exhibits.
(A UCAT BUS shuttle will be running from Ulster Savings Parking lot in Uptown Kingston on the corner of Schwenk Drive and Washington Ave - running to Myer Elementary School by the Hurley Heritage Society Museum, and then to Hurley Town Hall for 'Hurley Day' festivities on Wynkoop Road, and then back to Uptown Kingston - Bus will ride from 12-4pm in regular loop intervals).
To register for a tour visit »
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1-5pm - SENATE HOUSE MUSEUM & TOURS
Senate House, 296 Fair Street, Standard admission applies
3pm - SONGS OF AMERICA and USA250 FINALE
Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street
Selections from Leonard Bernstein’s Songfest and Other American Songs presented by the Bard Conservatory Vocal Arts Program, Stephanie Blythe Artistic Director; Kayo Iwama Associate Director