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Exhibits, Tours & Events / Special Events

Exhibits.
Encounters.
Illuminations.

Students stare in wonder at the Gettysburg Cyclorama

Start your Gettysburg journey at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center—your gateway to history. 

Discover special exhibits, tours, programs and events that bring history to life—on the battlefield, in the museum and beyond.

Include our special events on your itinerary and enhance your experience for a more memorable visit to Gettysburg.

Visit our YouTube channel to view videos of select programming hosted by the National Park Service at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Foundation.

The Gettysburg Foundation is the official non-profit partner of the National Parks at Gettysburg. Every visit, ticket and purchase supports Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

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Your gateway to history when you explore Gettysburg

Begin your Gettysburg visit with the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience. Tour the battlefield  with a Licensed Battlefield Guide. Purchase tickets to explore Gettysburg's historic sites and experiences—all through the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. 

Exhibits & Tours

F E A T U R E D

An Evening with the Painting

Museum & Visitor Center
Ford Education Center | Cyclorama Platform
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 | 4-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 | 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 5-7 p.m.

Join us on the Cyclorama platform for an exclusive after-hours, close-up look at the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama painting. Enjoy additional time on the viewing platform to observe in full light the remarkable, close-up details and distant battle scenes of the painting. Journey under the diorama to see how the 360-degree illusion comes to life. Read more about this extraordinary program.

Friends of Gettysburg members receive special member rate.

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A Gettysburg Christmas Festival

Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Event activities are free and open to the public

Celebrate the holiday season with the Gettysburg Foundation during A Gettysburg Christmas Festival in downtown Gettysburg. Gettysburg's only children's history museum offers family-friendly activities, festive fun and holiday cheer. Highlights throughout the festival weekend include:

SATURDAY, DEC. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Make special crafts with supplies provided by AAA Central Penn in Santa's Workshop.
  • Capture magical holiday memories during your visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus.
  • Gather around the campfire with Civil War soldiers of Battery B, 1st Rhode Island. Learn about Christmas during the Civil War with an 11 a.m. Courtyard Presentation.
  • Enjoy Live Performances with family-friendly entertainers on stage throughout the weekend.
  • The Open Grille food truck will serve hot, kid-friendly favorites and treats from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 7 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Enjoy Live Performances with family-friendly entertainers on stage throughout the weekend.
  • The Open Grille food truck will serve hot food selections starting with breakfast at 9 a.m.

Bring the whole family and make this holiday season unforgettable at Gettysburg!

Tickets are required to experience the children's history museum adventure inside, with special hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the festival. Festival activities will take place in the side yard unless indicated otherwise.

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Eisenhower Home for the Holiday

Eisenhower National Historic Site
250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg
Saturdays & Sundays, Dec. 6-21, 2025
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Last entry 2 p.m. 
Free and open to the public

Enjoy an Eisenhower Christmas with special holiday tours of the historic Eisenhower home. Mamie's holiday touches bring the Eisenhower home alive with the spirit of the Christmas season. 

Visitors should follow signs for on-site parking and meet at Eisenhower National Historic Site's Welcome Center (previously Reception Center) to begin their tour. Tours are first-come, first-served, with the last entry at 2 p.m. On-site parking is available for general admission (groups of less than 10). Schedules are subject to change without notice.

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Encounters with History

Gettysburg & Civil War Embroidery

Presented by Danza Antiqua
Museum & Visitor Center| Ford Education Center
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lunch and materials included

Discover the art and history of 19th-century embroidery in this hands-on, all-day program. Learn traditional stitches, explore historical tools and patterns, and create your own replica of a historic tent fragment.

Lunch and materials are included. Reservations are required and close Dec. 5 at Noon.

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Civil War Paint & Take

Holiday Edition

Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | 1-4 p.m.
Free with your ticket for the museum adventure

Create your own Gettysburg Civil War sculpture to give to someone special for the holidays. Choose one of four different Civil War themed ceramic items* and paint it in your own unique way. Your custom, creative sculpture will make the perfect holiday gift.

Each design was sculpted and donated by Gary Casteel, famous local artist who has sculpted numerous Civil War monuments here in Gettysburg and around the country.

*Available while supplies last.

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C O M M E M O R A T I V E

Battle of the Bulge Tour

Presented by Eisenhower National Historic Site

Gettysburg National Cemetery
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 | 3-4 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Join a National Park Service ranger in Gettysburg National Cemetery for a special guided walking tour in commemoration of the 81st anniverary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Explore the stories of Americans who, in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s words, “endured greatly in their country’s cause” 81 years ago.

Meet the ranger at the Taneytown Road entrance to the cemetery. Visitors are encouraged to dress for the elements and check the Eisenhower National Historic Site website and Facebook page for updates in the event of inclement weather.

History Kids Reading Adventures Club

Presented by Gettysburg National Military Park
Museum & Visitor Center | Theater
Saturdays, Jan. 3 - Feb. 28, 2026 
11 a.m. | Free and open to the public

Families are invited to join a park educator to read a new children's book each weekend, with pages projected onto the screen. The 2026 theme is America: 250 Years of Change-Makers in commemoration of 250 years of American history. Guests can participate in a related indoor activity or outdoor adventure following the reading.

Recommended for families with children ages 4-10. No registration or tickets necessary.

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Winter Lecture Series

Presented by Gettysburg National Military Park
Museum & Visitor Center | Theater
Saturdays & Sundays | Jan. 10 - March 8, 2026
1:30 p.m. | Free and open to the public

Featuring some of the best Rangers, historians and authors from across the country, the popular Winter Lecture Series will once again return to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center for 2026.

Free tickets will be available the day of each program at the Museum & Visitor Center.

The Gettysburg Foundation is pleased to partner with Gettysburg National Military Park to record and make available this popular lecture series on our YouTube channel.

Schedule is subject to change without notice. No live stream will be available. Free ticket required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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