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

Event dates for 2013 are being added as they are announced.
Call the event sponsor for more information.

National Park Events

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam Battlefield 2013 Event 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 2013 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 2013 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

Civil War Preservation Trust Park Day
April 6, 2013

An annual hands-on preservation event to assist Civil War battlefields and historic sites take on some maintenance projects. Clean up projects will last from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Meet at the park visitor center for registration at 8:00 a.m.


Star Party at Antietam Battlefield
April 19th and 20th, 2013

Sunset to 11pm. Antietam National Battlefield Visitors Center parking area, Sharpsburg. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by The TriState Astronomers


18th Century Market Faire Weekend
April 25th thru 28th, 2013

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 25th, 2013


West Virginia Wine & Arts Festival
May 25th and 26th, 2013

In nearby Martinsburg WV. Live music, food, WV wines and microbrews unde the trees at the historic Boydville Estate.


Western Maryland Blues Fest
May 30th thru June 2nd, 2013

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 14 - 16, 2013

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 5th - 28th 2013

Since its founding in 1990 the acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival in Shepherdstown, 3 miles from the Jacob Rohrbach Inn, has produced more than 80 new American plays. Ticket now on sale for this increasingly popular festival.


French and Indian War 250th Anniversary
July 26, 27 and 28, 2013

10AM-4PM, Fort Frederick State Park. Over 1000 18th Century French, British, and American Indian reenactors assemble for a weekend of living history demonstrations. Period craft vendors will also be available.


Augustoberfest - German Festival
August 24th and 25th, 2013

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


151st Antietam Battle Anniversary Events
September 13th - 15th, 2013

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 14th 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 151 years ago. On the streets of the town, the Sharpsburg Heritage Festival will have food, lectures, and music all day on the 14th. A great variety of activities will take place all weekend.



Fall Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festivals
September 27 - 29, 2013

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 2, 2013

Marathon, Half marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids Run
The route takes you through 4 National Parks!


Peak Fall Foliage
October 20th thru November 6, 2013

Enjoy a Fall Foliage hike in our 4 National Parks


American Conservation Film Festival
October 31st thru November 3rd, 2013

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


50th Annual JFK 50 Mile Ultramarathon
November 23, 2013

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.


Antietam Memorial Illumination
December 7, 2013

Volunteers place over 23,000 candles on Antietam 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