A weekend-long program of events, concerts, lectures and reenactments will commemorate the 1777 Burning of Kingston by British forces. The event will run from Thursday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 20 at venues across the city.

The biannual Burning of Kingston commemorates the sacking of the city by Redcoats on Oct. 16, 1777. The attack on the defenseless and largely evacuated town was a sideshow to the momentous American victory at Saratoga — widely considered a turning point in the American Revolution. The British troops who razed the city, which just a few months before had played host to New York’s first constitutional convention, were part of a relief expedition pushing up the Hudson River to from occupied New York City to come to the aid of another British force led by Gen. Johnny Burgoyne. Burgoyne had led his army down from Canada in an effort to seize Albany and the Hudson Valley to cut off New England, considered the hotbed of the rebellion, from the other colonies. By October, though, Burgoyne found himself short on supplies, abandoned by his Indigenous allies and badly beaten by the Continental Army in back-to-back battles north of Albany. On Oct. 17, Burgoyne surrendered his remaining forces to U.S. Gen. Horatio Gates.

In Kingston, meanwhile, British commanders sailing up the Hudson on a fleet of warships loaded with troops learned from messengers that all hope was lost for Burgoyne’s army. The force then landed at the mouth of the Rondout Creek and proceeded to march to what is now the city’s Stockade District, burning everything in their path. The vengeful Redcoats faced no opposition — the local militia forces were deployed further south guarding fortifications along the river — but destroyed stores of wheat and naval supplies while torching virtually every home and shop in the city.

Traditionally, the city marks the events of 1777 with a biannual commemoration held on off-numbered years. This year, the city is breaking with that tradition in anticipation of the 2026 nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. And while this year’s event will feature Burning of Kingston staples like dramatic — albeit ahistorical — clashes between militia and Redcoats in the streets of the Stockade District and a grand ball with period re-enactors at the Old Dutch Church. Event organizers Acting Ulster County Clerk and City of Kingston Historian Taylor Bruck and city Director of Arts and Culture Kitt Potter said they also wanted to bring in lesser-known perspectives, including those of native and enslaved people and LGBTQIA+ populations.

“By utilizing the arts to include stories of all lives that were impacted by the war and the Burning, we hold fast to principles of engagement and transparency,” said Potter. “Breaking through the traditional, however challenging, is a cultural and historic necessity to ensure all voices are represented in the portrayal of this pivotal point in our city’s distant past.”

This year’s Burning of Kingston program will feature a wide range of re-enactments, including street battles, an 18th century-style church service and chat with “Martha Washington.” There will also be lectures, concerts and other performances. All events are free and open to the public. A full schedule of events is available at www.burningofkingston.com.