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Cemetery Ridge is visible as a storm approaches the battlefield.
NPS Photo
163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg
Wednesday, July 1 - Friday, July 3, 2026
The three-day Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point not only in the course of the American Civil War, but also for the future of the United States of America. Join Park Rangers and Licensed Battlefield Guides during the 163rd Anniversary of the battle for a series of free guided walks and talks that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important chapter in our nation’s history.
Note: On all park avenues please park your vehicle on the right side of the road, unless otherwise directed, with all wheels on the pavement. Schedule is subject to change.
Weather modifications
In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index in excess of 105 degrees, all programs will be canceled.
In the event of a heat index in excess of 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.
Wednesday, July 1
Family Programs While all programs are family-friendly, these are specifically developed for families with children ages 4 to 14.
10 am – Family Program: “Build It, Paint It, Mold It” (60 Minutes)
Children ages 4 to 14, and their families, will learn about the McPherson family and will then have the opportunity to build the barn and other landscape features with Legos, paint the scene with watercolors, or mold one of the nearby monuments with modeling clay.
Meet at Reynold’s Woods, Tour Stop 1.
Park along Reynold’s Avenue.
1 pm – 4 pm Hands-On History Experience
Stop by the Group Lobby of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center anytime between 1 pm and 4 pm for an interactive hands-on experience.
Battle Walks These special 2-to-3-hour programs explore key episodes and phases of the battle and involve significant hiking and walking, occasionally over rough terrain. Water, headgear, sun protection, insect repellent, and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
10 am - John B. Gordon’s Brigade, July 1, 1863
Ranger Matthew Atkinson will lead visitors in the footsteps of Brigadier General John B. Gordon’s Georgia brigade as they advanced against Union forces on Barlow Knoll during the afternoon of July 1, 1863. This unique ranger-led walk will explore seldom-visited portions of the battlefield while examining the experiences of Confederate soldiers whose attack helped shape the outcome of the first day at Gettysburg, 163 years later.
Meet and park at Gettysburg High School Parking Lot, 1130 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg, PA, 17325.
2 pm - “The Defiant Fist:” Stone’s Brigade on July 1, 1863
After a description of the history of the McPherson farm, the tour will visit the monuments of all three regiments of Stone's Brigade, not all of whom wore "Bucktails", and learn how these soldiers, in their first full scale battle, defiantly faced off against elements of four different Confederate brigades. No less than three Medals of Honor were issued to soldiers of Stone's Brigade for action on July 1, 1863. The combat on the McPherson farm included incoming artillery crossfire, hand to hand combat in defense of the colors, long range rifle fire, counter attacks to blunt Confederate advances and ultimately a grudging retreat to Seminary Ridge. Licensed Battlefield Guide Bill Thomas will lead this program.
Meet at the McPherson Barn, Stone Avenue.
Park along Stone and Meredith Avenue.
6 pm - This Hallowed Ground: The Changing Landscape of the Soldier’s National Cemetery
Join Dr. Rachael Nicholas, historian at Gettysburg National Military Park, for a program exploring the changing landscape of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on Cemetery Hill. This walk will examine how the cemetery evolved over time, from its creation after the Battle of Gettysburg to the ways memory, commemoration, and preservation have shaped this sacred ground.
Meet at the brick Rostrum inside the Taneytown Road gate of the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Park in the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot and the Hunt Avenue Overflow Lot.
Campfire Program 8:30 pm - Voices of July 1
Gather by the fire for an evening campfire program at the Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods, located off West Confederate Avenue. Through letters, diaries, and reminiscences, this program will explore the voices of those who participated in the fighting at Gettysburg in July 1863, bringing to life the chaos, tragedy, and trials experienced by the soldiers who fought here.Bring a blanket or camp chair and join us for a thoughtful commemorative experience under the evening sky.
Meet at Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods.
Parking available along West Confederate Avenue near the amphitheater.
Thursday, July 2
Family Programs While all programs are family-friendly, these are specifically developed for families with children ages 4 to 14.
10 am – Family Program: “Build It, Paint It, Mold It” (60 Minutes)
Children ages 4 to 14, and their families, will learn about the Trostle family and will then have the opportunity to build the barn and other landscape features with Legos, paint the scene with watercolors, or mold one of the nearby monuments with modeling clay.
Meet at the George Weikert farm.
Park along United States Avenue.
1 pm – 4 pm Hands-On History Experience
Stop by the Group Lobby of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center anytime between 1 pm and 4 pm for an interactive hands-on experience.
Battle Walks These special 2- to 3-hour programs explore key episodes and phases of the battle and involve significant hiking and walking, occasionally over rough terrain. Water, headgear, sun protection, insect repellent and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
10 am - “They Blindly Plied the Work of Slaughter:” The 19th Massachusetts at the Battle of Gettysburg
Of the 1,000 men who marched off to war with the 19th Massachusetts Infantry in 1861, fewer than 170 were still in its ranks when the regiment arrived at Gettysburg. Forming part of the famed 2nd Army Corps, the 19th was heavily involved in intense battle action on and around Cemetery Ridge on July 2 and especially on July 3, when it helped turn back Pickett's charging men who broke through at the Angle. Five soldiers of the 19th received Medals of Honor for their heroics at Gettysburg, but the price paid by this veteran regiment was heavy, as it lost more than half its strength in killed, wounded, and missing. Join Park Ranger John Hoptak for this anniversary Battle Walk that will follow in the footsteps of the 19th Massachusetts and examine in detail their battle actions both on July 2, 1863, and on July 3.
Meet at the Leister house.
Park at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot and the Hunt Avenue Overflow Lot.
2 pm - The Real High Water Mark? Ambrose Wright’s Brigade on July 2, 1863
Was the "high water mark" of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, rather than July 3? Join Licensed Battlefield Guide Lewis Trott and follow in the footsteps of Brig. General Ambrose Wright's Brigade as they attempted to break the Union line 163 years ago.
Meet at the Virginia Memorial, Tour Stop 5.
Park along West Confederate Avenue.
6 pm - “Our men went down like leaves in the autumn wind”: Avery’s North Carolinians Attack Cemetery Hill
With so much coverage by participants and historians of the events on the southern end of the battlefield on July 2, the attacks against Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill have largely been ignored. Of all the Confederate units slated to attack Cemetery Hill, only two brigades actually assaulted the strong Union position. Join Ranger Dan Welch for a two-hour battle walk that brings to light the actions of Col. Isaac Avery’s brigade in their attack on East Cemetery Hill and hear about the “many deeds that ought to live in history, but which will never be known.”
Meet at the Henry Culp Farm located along East Middle Street.
Park along East Confederate Avenue.
Campfire Program 8:30 pm - Voices of July 2
Gather by the fire for an evening campfire program at the Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods, located off West Confederate Avenue. Through letters, diaries, and reminiscences, this program will explore the voices of those who participated in the fighting at Gettysburg in July 1863, bringing to life the chaos, tragedy, and trials experienced by the soldiers who fought here.Bring a blanket or camp chair and join us for a thoughtful commemorative experience under the evening sky.
Meet at Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods.
Parking available along West Confederate Avenue, near the amphitheater.
Friday, July 3
Family Programs While all programs are family-friendly, these are specifically developed for families with children ages 4 to 14.
10 am – Family Program: “Build It, Paint It, Mold It” (60 Minutes)
Children ages 4 to 14, and their families, will learn about Pickett's Charge and the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. They will then have the opportunity to build some of the landscape features with Legos, paint the scene with watercolors, or mold one of the nearby monuments with modeling clay.
Meet at the Leister House, Meade’s Headquarters.
Park along Hancock Avenue or at the Hunt Avenue Overflow Lot.
1 pm – 4 pm Hands-On History Experience
Stop by the Group Lobby of the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center anytime between 1 pm and 4 pm for an interactive hands-on experience.
Battle Walks These special 2- to 3-hour programs explore key episodes and phases of the battle and involve significant hiking and walking, occasionally over rough terrain. Water, headgear, sun protection, insect repellent and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
10 am - A Most Severe and Terrible Fire: The bombardment on the afternoon of July 3.
Join Ranger Karlton Smith at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot at Rorty's battery along Hancock Avenue. He will examine the Confederate bombardment and its effect on the batteries of the Federal Second Corps. These five batteries sustained some of the highest casualty figures for any battery in the Army of the Potomac.
Meet at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot.
Park at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot, Hancock Avenue, and the Hunt Avenue Overflow Lot.
2 pm - “Rally, boys and go over that fence!” - The 11th Mississippi in Pettigrew’s Charge
Baxter McFarland, a veteran of the 11th Mississippi, wrote several articles on his unit’s history during the post war era. Even just several decades removed, he was concerned the 11th's “heroic conduct nor its appalling losses have received the public recognition which long ago should have been accorded.” Follow the story of the 11th on July 3 with Ranger Dan Welch and The Liberty Rifles, a living history organization, as they recreate the sights and sounds of this dramatic moment.
Meet at the North Carolina Memorial, Tour Stop 4.
Park along West Confederate Avenue.
6 pm - The Union's "Stone Wall" Division: Alexander Hays and the Repulse of Longstreet's Assault
Ranger Daniel Brennan will lead visitors along Cemetery Ridge to explore the Union defense against Pickett’s Charge on the afternoon of July 3, 1863. This program will examine the soldiers, decisions, and battlefield moments that shaped the climactic struggle at the center of the Union line during the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Meet at the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot.
Park in the Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot, Hunt Avenue Overflow Lot, and along Hancock Avenue.
Campfire Program 8:30 pm - Voices of July 3
Gather by the fire for an evening campfire program at the Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods, located off West Confederate Avenue. Through letters, diaries, and reminiscences, this program will explore the voices of those who participated in the fighting at Gettysburg in July 1863, bringing to life the chaos, tragedy, and trials experienced by the soldiers who fought here.Bring a blanket or camp chair and join us for a thoughtful commemorative experience under the evening sky.
Meet at Park Amphitheater at Pitzer Woods.
Parking available along West Confederate Avenue, near the amphitheater.
Sacred Trust Talks and Book Signings
Over the three days of the battle anniversary prominent historians and speakers will present hour-long presentations, offering unique perspectives on the events 163 years ago.
July 1 | From Pangea to Pennsylvania
The Geological Battle Beneath the Battlefield with Jesse Reimink, Ph.D. and Chris Bolhuis. Free tickets required.
July 3 | Above and Beyond
The Legacy of the Medal of Honor with Jessica Loring, Maranda Wilkinson, Dwight W. Birdwell – Moderated by Eisenhower National Historic Site Ranger Dan Vermilya. Free tickets required.
Seminary Ridge Museum
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 2-11 pm
Tickets not required for July 2
2 pm | United Lutheran Seminary Chapel | A Hell of a Regiment
How the Twentieth Maine Created Their Gettysburg Story with Jared Peatman, Ph.D. – Moderated by Codie Eash
6:30-11 pm | United Lutheran Seminary Campus | 'The Great Anniversary Festival': A July 2 Independence Celebration
6:30-7 pm | Reading of The Declaration of Independence by Codie Eash
7:30-8:30 pm | Seminary Ridge Museum Lawn | Panel on Historical Legacy with Tom McMillan, Jake Wynn, Erin Pearce and Christopher Gwinn – Moderated by Judy Morley, Ph.D.
9-11 pm | Schmucker Grove/Hill Unger Performance Pavillion | Screening of the episode Independence from the award-winning HBO miniseries John Adams
In this year of America 250, we are pleased to partner with Seminary Ridge Museum to bring Sacred Trust on the ridge programming to the United Lutheran Seminary Campus on July 2.
Book signings will take place in the Museum Book Store at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center July 1-3. The daily schedule of book signings to be announced.
