ALERT: Free tickets are now available for the July 3 Sacred Trust Talk. Free tickets are still available for the July 1 Sacred Trust Talk.

Special Events

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.

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary this year, discover special exhibits, tours, programs and events that bring the nation’s story to life—on the battlefield, in the museum and beyond.

Make our special events part of your itinerary to experience Gettysburg in new and memorable ways throughout the America250 commemoration.


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Learn even more as you continue your journey through Gettysburg's history.

You are invited to subscribe to our YouTube channel and view videos of select programming and events hosted by the National Park Service at Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Foundation.

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

Eisenhower Summer Home Tours

Eisenhower National Historic Site
250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg

Thursdays - Mondays, Now Through Oct. 26, 2026
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free and open to the public

A visit to Gettysburg would not be complete without a visit to the home and farm of our 34th President Dwight D. and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Enjoy a free tour of the home and grounds when you include Eisenhower National Historic Site on your Gettysburg itinerary.

  • Home tours are first come, first served. Space may be limited depending on crowd sizes on the day of your visit.
  • Visitors should check in at the on-site visitor contact station and reserve a spot before their home tour.

General visitor parking and accessible parking available. Grounds open sunrise to sunset. Groups of 10 or more should reserve tour times outside of regularly scheduled home tours.

Learn More About This Historic Site

WWII Tours

Gettysburg National Cemetery
Saturdays, Now Through Sept. 5, 2026 | 1-2 p.m.
Free & open to the public

More than 500 WWII veterans are buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery, including combat casualties from Pearl Harbor, D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.

Join an Eisenhower National Historic Site Park Ranger and explore some veterans' stories you may not have heard before.

This free 45-60 minute ranger program will meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Hike with Ike: Camp Colt

Presented by Eisenhower National Historic Site
Gettysburg National Military Park High Water Mark Monument
Sundays, Now Through Sept. 6, 2026
1-2 p.m. | Free & open to the public

In 1918, Captain Dwight Eisenhower commanded a tank training camp on the historic Gettysburg battlefield.

Explore the grounds of Camp Colt with a National Park Service Ranger. Discover this important story in Eisenhower's life and career.

These one-hour long programs meet at the High Water Mark Monument on Cemetery Ridge, Auto Tour Stop 15.

Ranger Guided Walking Tours

Eisenhower National Historic Site
250 Eisenhower Farm Lane, Gettysburg
Tuesdays & Wednesdays | June 2-Sept. 2, 2026
10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.
Free & open to the public

Join a park ranger for a free guided walking tour of the historic Eisenhower farm landscape. Explore the fascinating history and stories of the Eisenhower property. Discover how the Eisenhowers connected with this peaceful landscape.

Meet a ranger in front of the Eisenhower home. These tours do not include a tour of the Eisenhower home. Genera visitor parking and accessible parking are available. For driving directions, visit Eisenhower National Historic Site online.

Summer Ranger Programs

Gettysburg National Military Park
June 6-Aug. 9, 2026
Free & open to the public

Enjoy National Park Service Ranger-led hikes, walks and talks that explore key moments on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Explore the Battlefield - Better understand the battle and its aftermath.
  • Gettysburg History Hike (90 min.)
  • Devil's Den Hike (45 min.)
  • National Cemetery Tour (45 min.)
  • The First Day of Battle (45 min.)
  • The Third Day and Beyond (45 min.)
  • Culp's Hill Hike (60 min.)
  • Little Round Top Hike (60 min.)
  • Battle Walk (2-3 hrs.)
  • Campfire with a Ranger (60 mins.)

Museum Programs - Explore all there is to do at the Museum & Visitor Center.

  • Civil War Soldier (30 mins.)
  • Care of the Wounded (40 mins.)
  • Cannoneers to Your Post (20 mins.)

Family Programs - Enjoy programs specifically developed for families and children.

  • Hands-on History Cart (Times and days vary. Inquire at the Museum & Visitor Center Information Desk.)
  • Join the Army (40 mins.)
  • Junior Ranger Program (Self directed. Get a booklet and materials at the Museum & Visitor Center Information Desk.)

Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center Information Desk or Gettysburg National Military Park online for details and updates. Schedule subject to change without notice. Prepare for a variety of field conditions and wear clothing to match the forecast. Park in designated locations only. In the event of inclement weather, visit nps.gov/gett or follow Gettysburg National Military Park on Facebook for modification or cancellation information.

Get Program Details

Summer Living History

Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg

Select Summer Weekends | June 6-Sept. 12, 2026
Living History | Times Vary | Free & open to the public
Museum Adventure | Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Step into the past as you interact with living historians and explore their camps and stations on the lawn of the children's history museum.

June 6-7
Saturday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Civil War Historical Impressions

June 13-14, July 11-12, Aug. 1-2, Sept. 5-6
Saturday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday Evening Candlelight Talk | 8 p.m.
Sunday | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Officers for the Union & Ladies for the Union

June 27-28 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Society of Civil War Surgeons: 11th Corps Field Hospital

July 1-3 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Evening Candlelight Talks | July 1 & 2 | 8 p.m.
Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with
Officers for the Union & Ladies for the Union

July 4-5
Saturday | Noon-6 p.m.
Sunday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
62nd PA Volunteer Infantry

Aug. 22-23
Saturday | 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Civil War Historical Impressions

Aug. 29-30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Society of Civil War Surgeons: 11th Corps Field Hospital

Sept. 12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Patriot Daughters of Lancaster

Living history presentations are free and open to the public. Schedules subject to change without notice. Dependent on favorable weather conditions. Tickets are required to experience the museum adventure.

Buy Tickets for the Museum Adventure

Volunteer Work Day

Gettysburg Natonal Military Park &
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Registration begins at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Free | Reservation Required

Join us for our annual event where volunteers complete important work across both parks by helping to maintain and restore the historic landscape. Volunteers will be asked to participate in events such as fence repair/building, removing invasive species, painting fences and historic structures, cleaning historic structures, painting headstones in the cemetery and other activities. Once registered, volunteers will be contacted by staff to be placed into one of the day's activities.

This event will take place outdoors and volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately in long sleeves, long pants and closed toed shoes. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. All tools and equipment will be provided, but a water bottle is recommended.

Reserve Your Space Today

Living History Weekends

Fridays & Saturdays
June 12-13, July 10-11 & Aug. 7-8, 2026
10 a.m.-3 p.m. 
Timed Shuttles Depart the Museum & Visitor Center

On select weekends this summer, step back in time and experience history brought to life at the best-preserved field hospital from the Battle of Gettysburg.

Explore authentic military camps, watch engaging demonstrations and interact with knowledgeable historians portraying both soldiers and civilians. Enjoy the immersive experience great for families, history enthusiasts and curious minds of all ages.

Timed shuttle/admission ticket required. Shuttles depart the nearby Museum & Visitor Center every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. through 1:40 p.m., with return shuttles on schedule. The final return shuttle departs the historic site at 3:20 p.m.

Buy Tickets

Double Decker Battlefield Bus Tour

Departs the Museum & Visitor Center
Saturdays, June 13, 20 & 27, 2026 | 4 p.m.
Saturdays, July 4, 18 & 25, 2026 | 4 p.m.
Saturdays, Aug. 1 & 8, 2026 | 4 p.m.

Sensational views and spectacular scenery await you on your battlefield tour aboard a double decker bus. With a 360-degree view of the Gettysburg battlefield, you will gain a new perspective of the battle as your expert Licensed Battlefield Guide provides the narrative for this insightful and visually stunning tour.

Double Decker tours can be included in your Battlefield Value Package that includes the Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience.

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Author Walk-and-Talks

George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital
488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Friday, July 31, 2026
6-8 p.m. | Ticket reservations required

Join author Ron Kirkwood who will lead presentations and guided walks exploring stories from the historic site. Guest speakers will join the presentations.

Ticket holders may drive to the property for this program where on-site parking will be available. Program is dependent on favorable weather conditions.

Purchase Tickets

Patriotic Lawn Concert

Free Open-air Concert

Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Fridays, June 19, July 17 & Aug. 21, 2026
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Side Yard
Free and open to the public

Join us for patriotic music presented by the Flute Flock of Gettysburg on the lawn at the historic Rupp HouseTM.

Bring your lawn chairs and gather in the side yard of the children's history museum to enjoy the open-air concert.

Concert is dependent on favorable weather conditions. The interactive children's history museum is open before, during and after the concert. Tickets are required for the museum adventure.

Buy Museum Adventure Tickets

Gettysburg of the West

Desert Empire: The 1862 New Mexico Campaign

George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital
488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg
Friday, June 19, 2026 | 6-8 p.m. 
Ticket reservations required

Often overlooked, even though the climactic battle was referred to as the "Gettysburg of the West" by historians, the 1862 Confederate invasion of New Mexico was a pivotal point in the history of the Southwest and whether the Confederacy could effect a country that went from "sea to shining sea." Learn about the last lancer charge in American military history, a tale about mules and places such as Valverde, Apache Canyon and Glorietta - names not often associated with the American Civil War.

The evening begins with an introductory presentation with the Civil War Institute's rising historian, Michael Aaron. The program will be presented by author Phillip S. Greenwalt, co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and full-time historian with Emerging Civil War.

Ticket holders may drive to the property for this program where on-site parking will be available. Program is dependent on favorable weather conditions.

Purchase Tickets

Coffee with a Historian

Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad StationTM
35 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg
Select Saturdays in 2026
9-10 a.m. | Covered Pavilion

Start your morning with conversation and connection at one of Gettysburg's most historic buildings.

Have a question you’ve never had the chance to ask? This is your moment. Skip the crowds and sit down for an informal, small-group discussion with a local historian, where your curiosity guides the conversation. Join us at the historic station for a relaxed, hour-long chat.

Schedule

The one-hour history discussions takes place under the covered pavilion. Coffee will be provided. Seating is limited and ticket reservations are required.

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Hands-on Historical Activities

Summer Series Presented by Danza Antiqua

Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
June 23, 25 & 30, 2026 | July 2, 3, 7, 14, 16 & 21, 2026
Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Included with a Ticket for the Museum Adventure

Local historians with Danza Antiqua present a series of historical art activities enjoyed by children and adults during the Civil War era. Each day, the artists will select a different art form and provide demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the day. Hand made dolls and hand quilting of the Civil War will be on display

Interact with the artists. Try the craft and learn the history of each art activity and its traditional methods. Take information with you to continue the featured art forms at home.

WEAVING | NATIVE AMERICAN BEAD WORK | PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN HANDTUCH EMBROIDERY | BOBBIN LACE | HAND KNITTING | PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN FRAKTUR

Best for children/youth ages 8-12 with parent/guardian/caregiver. Space is limited to 20 participants during each session. Registration is not required. Museum adventure ticket is required.

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Pajama Storytime Around the Campfire

An Adams County Library Event Co-sponsored by the Gettysburg Foundation
Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Tuesdays, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25 & Sept. 22, 2026
6:30-7 p.m. | Side Yard | After-hours program
Storytime for all ages | Books geared for grades K-1 
Free & open to the public

Join us for a relaxing storytime in your pajamas around the campfire. Stories will be read and campfire songs will be sung at these outdoor events. Your siblings and stuffed animals are welcome!

This outdoor, after-hours event is free and open to the public. Reservations or tickets are not required to attend the story time.

In the event of inclement weather, storytime will be canceled. The children's history museum is open prior to the events from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the final adventure of the day starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are required for the museum adventure.

Buy Museum Adventure Tickets

Guided Tours

George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital

Fridays & Saturdays
June 26-27, July 3-4, July 24-25, Aug. 21-22, Sept. 25-26 & Oct. 23-24, 2026
10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. 
Timed Shuttles Depart the Museum & Visitor Center

Step back in time and explore the history of the George Spangler Farm. During your guided tour of the historic site, hear stories of the individuals connected to the farm. 

Timed shuttle/admission ticket required. Shuttles depart the nearby Museum & Visitor Center at 9:40 a.m. and 1:10 p.m. on tour dates.

Buy Tour Tickets

Civil War Ceramic Paint & Take

Presented by Cindy Gates & Designed by Gary Casteel
Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, Aug. 5, 12 & 19, 2026
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Included with your museum adventure ticket

Create your own Gettysburg souvenir! Choose one of four different Civil War themed ceramic items to paint in your own unique way. Take your creation home as a keepsake from your visit in historic Gettysburg.

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

Tickets are required to experience the children's history museum adventure. Ticket holders can participate in painting a Civil War themed souvenir while supplies last.

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Historians After Hours

"The Gettysburg Gun" and "Thundering Artillery: The Gettysburg Civilian Experience"

Presented by Author & Historian Stephen G. Evangelista and Licensed Town Guide Ted Hirt
Children of Gettysburg 1863®
451 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg
Saturday, July 18, 2026
6:30-8:30 p.m. | Doors open at 6:20 p.m. 
Free and open to the public

Join author and historian, Stephen Evangelista, as he tells the fascinating story of the Gettysburg Gun, the only existing cannon known to have served in the Battle of Gettysburg, still in its original condition. Hear the amazing account of the cannon’s perilous and profound journey across three centuries. An epic story of survival, sacrifice and honor is told in his book, Forever Silenced: The Story of the Gettysburg Gun. 

Then join historian and Licensed Town Guide Ted Hirt and learn how the battle changed the lives of Gettysburg citizens as the artillery rolled through the streets and thundered over the town during those hot days in July 1863.

Following the presentations, copies of Forever Silenced will be available to purchase during a book signing with Stephen Evangelista.

The children's history museum is open prior to the event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the final adventure of the day starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are required for the museum adventure.

Buy Museum Adventure Tickets

Highway of Heroes

A collaboration among national and state historic parks, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and Pennsylvania destination marketing organizations, this effort coincides with the Commonwealth’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Now Through March 26, 2027
Free | Sign up and mobile check-in at each location required

Follow Pennsylvania’s historic Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on the Highway of Heroes trail, featuring six sites that honor the nation’s legacy of courage, sacrifice, and freedom—including Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site

Visit all six sites to receive the 2026 Highway of Heroes commemorative coin set with display case, shipped directly to your mailing address. A coins set is on display at the Friends Desk in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center for visitors to view only.

Sign up and check in at each site using your mobile phone.

Sign Up Today