Gettysburg Events & Civil War Reenactments

Gettysburg Area Events & Reenactments

CIVIL WAR REENACTMENTS - April to October 
Witness each weekend encampments by reenactment players at the Gettysburg National Military Park and National Civil War Wax Museum. See how soldiers and civilians live during the Civil War era.

HISTORY MEETS ARTS - April 
Meet over 75 historical artists, authors and artisans. Original artwork, special exhibits and tours, historical films and more. Held in downtown Gettysburg. 

APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL - May
Highlights of this year’s festival include: live entertainment, free orchard bus tours, hundreds of arts and craft demonstrations and sales, wagon rides, agricultural exhibits and the presentation of the Pennsylvania Apple Queen. Children’s activities include: free apple pie eating and apple bobbing contests, petting zoo, pony rides, puppet shows, and magic shows.
South Mountain Fairground. Phone: 717-677-7444

GETTYSBURG BLUE GRASS FESTIVAL - May
The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival is known not only for presenting top notch Bluegrass Music. It's also known as The place to bring the entire family for for a wonderful family outing, with a host of on site facilities to entertain everyone, young and old.

GETTYSBURG OUTDOOR ANTIQUE SHOW - May
Over 150 dealers from 13 states displaying their wares on the sidewalks in downtown Gettysburg 6 AM-4PM. Sponsored by Gettysburg Retail Merchants.

GETTYSBURG BRASS BAND FESTIVAL - June
A dynamic three-day music festival featuring more than 20 free performances by some of the top brass bands in the country. Venues throughout Gettysburg have included the Cyclorama at Gettysburg National Military Park, the Gettysburg Village, Gettysburg Alumni Park, The American Civil War Museum, Lincoln Square, The Dobbin House and other historic sites. The highlight is a Drum Corps Spectacular at Gettysburg College's Shirk Field.

LAVENDER FESTIVAL - June
The only such event in the eastern U.S., the Festival offers myriad sensory delights with three acres of lavender in bloom.  Participants are encouraged to enjoy Willow Pond Farm’s lavender fields and herb demonstration gardens, attend lectures and workshops by internationally acclaimed experts, and shop at the “Lavender Tent” and at the dozen juried outside vendors. 

NEW OXFORD OUTDOOR ANTIQUE SHOW - June
One of the largest antique shows with 135 antique dealers, artists and craftsmen, food and entertainment. Held in New Oxford, PA 10 miles east of Gettysburg on U.S. Rt. 30, 9AM-5 PM.

GETTYSBURG ANNIVERSARY CIVIL WAR BATTLE REENACTMENTS - July 
An annual three-day event featuring two unique and dynamic battles each day. The event features sutlers, entertainment, special guests, living history village and educational demonstrations. Gettysburg Anniversary Committee 717-338-1525

GETTYSBURG CIVIL WAR HERITAGE DAYS - End June - Beginning July
Visitors can experience living history encampments, Civil War lectures, band concerts, and battle reenactments during this commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Heritage Days are held each July.

GETTYSBURG BIKE WEEK - July 
There are events going on at several locations each day, including Battlefield Harley-Davidson and downtown Gettysburg. 

ADAMS COUNTY IRISH FESTIVAL - July 
Annual Adams County Irish Festival with a full day of Irish music, dancers, food, merchandise and more, offers wholesome family fun while benefiting the Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI) as well as the long-term goal of establishing a national Irish history museum and library in Adams County. 

SOUTH MOUNTAIN FAIR - August
A traditional country fair held at South Mountain Fairgrounds featuring live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, carnival rides and great country food.

GETTYSBURG MUSIC MUSTER - August
Authentic Civil War music will fill the air on August 26 at Gettysburg National Military Park during the 12th Annual Gettysburg Music Muster. One-of-a-kind performances, played mostly on original instruments, will feature songs of the Irish Union soldiers, balladeers, Victorian dance music and dance performances, along with fife and drum, and more.

WORLD WAR II REENACTMENT WEEKEND - September 
World War II living history weekend at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. An authentic recreation of both Allied and German army camps, complete with original World War II vehicles, will be set up on the site. Over 150 living history enthusiasts will portray military personnel from the European Theater in 1944.

GETTYSBURG OUTDOOR ANTIQUE SHOW - September
Held annually in September with over 150 dealers from 13 states displaying their wares on the sidewalks in downtown Gettysburg 6 AM-4PM. Sponsored by Gettysburg Retail Merchants.

APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL - October
The National Apple Harvest Festival, which is held during the first two weekends in October, has been celebrating beautiful crafts, great music and wonderful food for forty years. The festival has something for everyone with hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, demonstrations, contests, food stands, and entertainment.

ANNUAL GETTYSBURG CHRISTMAS PARADE - November 
(Saturday after Thanksgiving)
Come experience the season at the annual Christmas Parade. Start the evening with caroling on the Lincoln Square. Take in the bands, floats, and entertainment before welcoming Santa to town and the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

FIRST FRIDAY - December 
Each month Gettysburg businesses join forces to offer special events and refreshments. Approximately 25 businesses throughout Historic Gettysburg participate by staying open late, offering specials, artist receptions, and more.