The Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Programs

TOP TIPS for a Safe and Enjoyable Battle Anniversary.
 

• Know before you go! The full schedule for the Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary from July 1-3 can be found on our website. 

• Watch the weather and know our cancellation policy.  

  • In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, or a heat index more than 103 degrees, all programs will be canceled.  

  • In the event of a heat index more than 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified. 

• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, know your limitations, and don't overexert yourself. 

• We offer a variety of programming for all age levels, interests, and abilities including Family programs, Sacred Trust talks (in partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation). 

• Ticks! Ticks! Ticks! (And don’t forget their friends; chiggers and mosquitoes.) Please use bug spray and wear long pants. 

• Prepare yourself against the harmful effects of the sun. Please use sunscreen, wear a hat, and consider a cooling cloth to help keep you cool and protected from the sun. 

• Sturdy walking shoes or boots are a must for the anniversary hikes.  

• Remember the Six Ps: Proper Parking Prevents Park Protection Problems. Please keep all four wheels on the pavement and park as directed. 

• What about the reenactments? The National Park Service does not allow reenactments within the battlefield park, though several occur on private property outside the park boundary. However, Living History demonstrations take place throughout the park.

 

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 Historians for a series of free indoor lectures that discuss, explore, and reflect on this important chapter in our nation’s history. These special 60-minute programs explore aspects of the Battle of Gettysburg and Civil War Era.

All programs are free and open to the public, though space is limited. Programs take place in the Ford Education Room. Free, same-day tickets are required. One person may pick up tickets for yourself and your family, for each program, for each single day only. Example: July 2 tickets are available for July 2 programs only. Tickets will be available at 8 am from the desk outside the Ford Education Room when the Museum and Visitor Center opens each day at 8 am.

Meet in the Ford Education Room in the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

Wednesday, July 1

10:00 AM
Voices from the Battle, July 1, 1863
Ranger Dan Welch

11:30 AM
J. E. B. Stuart and the Gettysburg Campaign
Ranger Matthew Atkinson

1:00 PM
First Shots at Gettysburg: The 26^th Pennsylvania Emergency Militia
Ranger Andrew Regiec

2:30 PM
Spying for Longstreet: Lt. Henry Thomas Harrison
Ranger Karlton Smith

 

Thursday, July 2

10:00 AM
Greene’s Brigade at Gettysburg
Ranger Dan Welch

11:30 AM
George Sykes: Gettysburg’s Forgotten Corps Commander
Ranger John Hoptak

1:00 PM
Soldiers of Faith: Union Chaplains at Gettysburg
Ranger Danny Brennan

2:30 PM Voices from the Battle, July 2, 1863
Ranger Andrew Regiec

 

Friday, July 3

10:00 AM
Voices from the Battle, July 3, 1863
Ranger Emily Jumba

11:30 AM
Twilight of the Blue & Gray: The 1938 Reunion at Gettysburg
Ranger Christopher Gwinn

1:00 PM
Planning Pickett’s Charge
Ranger Matthew Atkinson

Special Family Programming

Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 3
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Visit the Group Lobby at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a fun, hands-on history experience! Young visitors can try on reproduction uniforms and equipment, paint their own battle scenes, and even build Gettysburg monuments with LEGO bricks.

 

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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.

This event is co-hosted by Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg Foundation, and Seminary Ridge Museum.

Museum & Visitor Center

Wednesday & Friday, July 1 & 3, 2026
6:30-7:30 pm | Doors open at 6 pm
Free general admission tickets are required July 1 & 3 only for theater seating at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. Ticket reservations for July 1 & 3 now open.

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 | Indoors – United Lutheran Seminary Chapel (directly next to Seminary Ridge Museum) | 'The Great Anniversary Festival': A July 2 Independence Celebration
To help everyone stay cool and comfortable during the near record breaking heat, all events originally scheduled outside have been relocated to inside the United Lutheran Seminary Chapel, located next to Seminary Ridge Museum.

• 6:30-7 pm | Reading of The Declaration of Independence by Codie Eash
• 7:30-8:30 pm | Panel on Historical Legacy with Tom McMillan, Jake Wynn, Erin Pearce and Dan Welch – Moderated by Judy Morley, Ph.D.
• 9-11 pm | 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.