Boston's favorite holiday, Patriots' Day celebrates the first battles of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Concord, the site of that "shot heard round the world." Today, April 19, is the "official" Patriots' Day (and the day on which the battles were fought in 1775), but the holiday is officially celebrated on the third Monday in April. Aside from the Boston Marathon and Sox game Monday, this weekend brings us an army of other fun events including several battle reenactments. Read on for a brief schedule of some fun, family-friendly Patriots' Day events to check out tonight, tomorrow, and Monday.

Tonight, Concord hosts the Patriot’s Ball at the Armory on Stow Street at 7:30pm. Live music, refreshments, and a Grand March--not to mention an announcement that the British are coming--will round out your patriotic experience. Call 978-371-0192 for information and tickets ($25).

Early Sunday morning (8:00am, to be exact), the US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials begin. The race entails several loops through downtown Boston, so you'll have several opportunities to see the women tomorrow morning.

Arlington has several events tomorrow, including The 44th Annual Patriots' Day Run bright 'n early (8:30am) for you runnin' fiends. That's followed by a reenacment of the Jason Russell House Battle at 12:30pm, then the Patriots' Day Parade at 2:00pm.

Take a "Liberty Ride" Sunday at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, or 3:00pm to travel historic Battle Road and learn more about the revolutionary battles. Trolleys depart from the National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, in Lexington.

The Lincoln Minute Men will give a "Lincoln Salute" with fife and drum music Sunday afternoon, followed by an "Alarm & Muster" at 7:00pm.

The Lexington Minute Men will charge forth with a reenactment of the Battle of Lexington at Lexington Common at 5:30am Monday--the time will be announced with a sounding of the alarm bell at the Old Belfry in Lexington. Crawl out of bed for this if you can; it's sure to be a ton of fun in addition to an excellent history lesson. Paul Revere will arrive at the town green at 1:00pm, followed by a Patriots' Day parade at 2:00pm and several other events throughout the day.

If you want to get a slightly later start, the City of Concord will reenact its own battle a little later, at 8:00am Monday--though there's still a 6:00am salute for the early risers. That's followed by a Patriots' Day Parade at 9:00am. Download the Concord and Lexington Patriots' Day Program for full details on these historic cities' schedules this weekend.

On Monday, Arlington has a flag-raising and tribute in the early morning (7:30am), then a reenactment of Paul Revere and William Dawes' rides by the National Lancers at noon.

Monday sees the Lincoln Minute Men marching to Concord at 6:45am for the parade there at 9:00am, then paying tribute to lost soldiers at 3:00pm.

The Boston Marathon starts in several waves Monday morning, with wheelchair racers starting at 9:25am, the Elite women at 9:35am, Elite Men and Wave 1 of regular folks at 10:00am, and Wave 2 (everybody else) at 10:30am. Those start times should see the elite runners finishing around noon in downtown Boston.

The Sox play Texas at the traditional time of 11:05am Monday.

Monday night, Lexington hosts a Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony at 7:30pm at the North Bridge to honor all who fought there.

Check out the Battle Road website for additional details and a few other events. Boston Daily offers a Patriots' Day Survival Guide, and HubTrotter has compiled a comprehensive list of Patriots' Day Weekend Events. And check our last Boston Marathon post or the MBTA website for transportation updates.

If all that doesn't keep you busy for the next few days, we've got concerns about your attention span. Happy Patriots' Day--enjoy yourselves and learn a little something while you're at it!