Food & Fun

Bunker Hill Day food encompasses a rich culinary tradition that bridges colonial America and modern New England. On June 17 each year, Americans commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) with foods that tell a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and regional pride. Colonial-inspired dishes such as Johnnycakes (simple cornmeal flatbreads), baked beans with Boston brown bread, succotash, corn chowder, and pottage connect modern celebrants to the humble rations of the colonial militia who fought on Breed's Hill. These are joined by beloved New England classics — Boston Cream Pie (the official Massachusetts state dessert), creamy clam chowder, and buttery lobster rolls — alongside classic American BBQ cookout fare. The day is also marked by family activities including monument climbs, historical games, colonial crafts, and community events like block parties and fife and drum performances. Together, these foods and festivities honor the spirit of 1775 while celebrating community and heritage in contemporary Charlestown and beyond.^①②

The foods that colonial soldiers ate on the Charlestown Peninsula in June 1775 were simple, portable, and made from locally available ingredients. Cornmeal, beans, salted meat, root vegetables, and wild greens formed the backbone of the colonial diet. Today, Bunker Hill Day celebrations often feature these historic dishes as a way to honor the soldiers who fought and died there.

While colonial-inspired foods honor the past, modern Bunker Hill Day celebrations are dominated by the great American barbecue. Families and friends gather in backyards, parks, and community spaces across Charlestown and Greater Boston for cookouts featuring classic BBQ fare. The humble baked bean — a direct link to colonial tradition — appears on both the reenactor's campfire and the modern picnic table, bridging 250 years of culinary heritage.

Patriotic desserts are a beloved Bunker Hill Day tradition, especially those that mimic the red, white, and blue of the American flag. The most popular is the flag cake — a large rectangular sheet cake frosted in white, with rows of fresh strawberries or raspberries (red) replacing the stripes and a cluster of blueberries (blue) in the upper corner for the stars. Berry pies, flag-themed cupcakes, cookies, and fruit parfaits also feature prominently at community gatherings and family cookouts. These desserts are not only visually stunning but also celebrate the seasonal abundance of summer berries in New England.

Bunker Hill Day offers a wealth of family-friendly activities that combine education, physical activity, and creative fun. From climbing the iconic 221-foot granite obelisk to making colonial crafts, these events help children and adults alike connect with the history and spirit of June 17, 1775.

The Charlestown community comes alive on Bunker Hill Day with a vibrant calendar of public events. Charlestown block parties fill the historic streets with food stalls, live music, and neighborly camaraderie. Monument Square picnics draw families who spread blankets on the lawn beneath the towering obelisk. Outdoor concerts feature everything from contemporary bands to traditional fife and drum performances — the piercing sound of the fife and the steady beat of the drum evoking the very music that rallied colonial troops on the morning of June 17, 1775.

Planning your Bunker Hill Day? Here is a suggested itinerary that combines the best food, fun, and educational activities — from the morning monument climb to the evening outdoor concert. Times are approximate and based on typical Charlestown schedules.