Cannon along the Hagerstown Pike on Antietam Battlefield
Courtesy of Don Pierce, Civil War Traveler

National Park Events

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam Battlefield 2011 Events Calendar


In addition to the major events hosted at the park, there is an introductory program shown each half hour in the Visitor Center and a one hour documentary shown daily at noon. (If you miss the documentary at the Visitors Center we have a copies for viewing in your room.) Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. Major exhibits are at the Visitor Center and at the Pry House Field Hospital Museum.

There are now over 12 miles of hiking trails on the battlefield, some with podcast guides and booklets that you can download, full color trail guides are also for sale at the visitor's center.

For the latest Visitor Information call 301-432-5124

Harper's Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry Event Calendar

There are introductory programs shown each half hour. Daily Park Ranger led activities are posted each day at the Visitor's Center. Tours given on a specific day depend on staff scheduling and availability. For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 304-535-6298.

C&O Canal National Historical Park

C&O Canal Event Calendar

The Ferry Hill, Williamsport and Brunswick park visitor centers are convenient to Sharpsburg. Ferry Hill Plantation (1810) is the closest (2 miles), high above the C&O canal, overlooking the Potomac River and Shepherdstown, WV, it is the former home of Col. Henry Kyd Douglas, CSA, Stonewall Jackson's staff officer and author of  "I Rode With Stonewall". For the latest Visitor Information call the Park at 301-739-4200

South Mountain Battlefield State Park

Park rangers offer guided tours at Washington Monument State Park every Friday afternoon. The Battle of South Mountain on September 14th, 1862 set the stage for the devastating Battle of Antietam on September 17th.

Other Events

Nora Roberts Book Signing in Boonsboro
February 19th, 2011

Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Grace Burrowes, Mary Burton, Stephanie Dray, Jeaniene Frost, Pamela Palmer, and local authors Mary Reed and Vaughn Ripley will be signing their books.


Lincoln at Antietam
February 21st, 2011

Historian John Schildt will speak on his research about Lincoln's visit to Antietam in October of 1862 at 2 p.m. at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center. Book signings of his books to follow- "Four Days in October" "Lincoln's Wartime Travels"


Archeology on America's bloodiest day
March 20, 2011
Call the battlefield at 301-432-5124 for details.


Landscape restoration hike
March 27th and April 10th, 2011
Call the battlefield at 301-432-5124 for details.


Star Party at Antietam Battlefield
April 8th and 9th, 2011
Sponsored by The TriState Astronomers


Antietam Speaker Series: Secession
April 17th, 2011
Call the battlefield at 301-432-5124 for details.


Shepherdstown Easter Parade
April 23rd, 2011


18th Century Market Faire Weekend
April 28 thru May 1st, 2011

At Fort Frederick traders, street vendors, entertainers, colonists, American Indians and military units portray the time period 1730 through 1790 and the customs and dress of a typical Market Faire gathering of this time and geographic area.


Sharpsburg's Old Fashioned Decoration Day Parade
May 28th, 2011


Western Maryland Blues Fest
June 2nd thru 5th, 2011

In nearby Hagerstown, the Western Maryland Blues Fest serves up an annual community celebration centered around one of America's most enduring musical forms-the blues.


Spring Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
June 10 - 12, 2011

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste - and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


Contemporary American Theater Festival
July 8th - 31st, 2011

Since its founding in 1990 the acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, 3 miles from the Jacob Rohrbach Inn, has produced more than 60 new American plays. Ticket now on sale for this increasingly popular festival.


Augustoberfest - German Festival
August 27th and 28th, 2011

Enjoy Bavarian food, entertainment and fun in nearby Hagerstown. Celebrate German culture and folklore through food and beer, music, songs, dance and beer.


French and Indian War Muster
August 27 and 28, 2011

10AM-4PM, Fort Frederick State Park. 18th Century French, British, and American Indian reenactors assemble for a weekend of living history demonstrations. Period craft vendors will also be available.


Annual Pack Horse Ford River Crossing
September 10, 2011

Ford the Potomac at Pack Horse Ford where Lee's retiring army crossed back to the Confederacy after the battle of Antietam. Meet at noon in Shepherdstown at the McMurran Clock Tower for a walk down River Road to the crossing point. Following the crossing into Maryland and a walk back along the C&O Canal towpath to the ferry landing, a flotilla of historic watercraft will carry everyone back to the Tobacco Warehouse.


149th Antietam Battle Anniversary Events
September 15th - 18th, 2011

Special ranger-led "real time hikes", historical lectures, living history and music of the Civil War at the Battlefield in Historic Sharpsburg. Starting the evening of the 11th and continuing through the weekend reenactors will present living history demonstrations at locations on the battlefield, encampments and activities will focus on the battle, medical care of the wounded, and the aftermath.

This weekend is also an opportunity to walk the grounds at the same time of day the fighting was taking place 149 years ago. On the streets of the town, the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival will have food, lectures, and music all day on the 17th A great variety of activities will take place all weekend.

Fall Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
September 23 - 25, 2011

Nearly 200 of our nation's most outstanding crafters. One of the largest festivals of this kind on the East Coast, offering something for everyone's taste and pocketbook. To ensure excellence, all crafters have been prejudged for excellence thus assuring that only first quality items will be displayed and sold.


Sharpsburg Ghost Walks
Offered year round by appointment, for reservations call Stonecrest Farms, 301-991-0265


Freedom's Run Marathon
October 1, 2011

Marathon, Half marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids Run
Run through 4 National Parks!


C & O Canal Fall Heritage Hike
October 29th, 2011

Four hikes of varying length sponsored by the C & O Canal Association


Peak Fall Foliage
October 29th thru November 5, 2011

Enjoy a Fall Foliage hike in our 4 National Parks


American Conservation Film Festival
November 3rd thru the 6th, 2011

Enjoy 50 films over 4 days in beautiful Shepherdstown, West Virginia


Over the Mountain Studio Tour
November 12th and 13th, 2011

Artisans invite you to visit their studios. 23 professional artists and craft workers, the best of Jefferson County, West Virginia, open their studios and workshops to the public at 12 different locations on the second weekend of November.


2011 JFK 50 Ultramarathon
November 19, 2011

Runners from around the world compete in this annual 50 mile race. We are 10 minutes from the start in Boonsboro and close to the midpoint. See the JFK 50 Route for a Google Earth fly-over.


Rural Heritage Village by Candlelight
December 2, 2011, Friday evening 6-9pm

Experience 19th Century holiday customs and a candlelight tour of restored pioneer settlement. $10 per family, $5 single admission. Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, 3 miles north of Sharpsburg on Route 65. Call 240-420-1714 for more information.


Archaeology Exhibit
December 3, 2011 Open Saturday 11am-5pm

Newcomer House at Antietam Battlefield, 1 mile east of Sharpsburg on MD 34. Come check out this display of artifacts found in Washington County. Free admission. Call 301-432-6402 for more information.


Holiday Open House
December 3, 2011 Saturday 1-4pm

Washington County Rural Heritage Museum, visit Santa in his sleigh or make an old time craft. Enjoy cookies and punch. Stroll through the museum buildings. Free admission.3 miles north of Sharpsburg on Route 65. Call 240-420-1714 for more information.


22nd Annual Memorial Illumination
December 3, 2011

Volunteers place over 23,000 candles on the battlefield; each representing a casualty from the bloodiest single day battle in American History. Driving tour begins at 6:00 p.m. on Route 34 east of Sharpsburg.

Fall Hiking on the Appalachian Trail