Military Weekend
July 24–26, 2026 — Our signature event brings WWII history to life with living history demonstrations, tank and vehicle rides, and opportunities to connect with veterans and historians. Gates open daily at 9:00 AM.
Weekend Highlights
Three days of immersive WWII history on our grounds and inside the museum
Living History Demonstrations
Watch as dedicated living historians recreate pivotal moments from WWII, complete with authentic uniforms, equipment, and tactics. We bring history out of the textbook and onto the field.
Military Vehicle Displays
Get up close with tanks, jeeps, half-tracks, and other historic military vehicles from our collection. Many of our vehicles are fully operational and demonstrated throughout the weekend.
Encampment Tours
Walk through recreated Allied and Axis encampments staffed by knowledgeable living historians who explain daily life, field equipment, rations, and the realities of wartime service.
Veteran Meet & Greet
We are honored to host veterans from multiple conflicts who share their firsthand accounts and answer questions. These personal connections are among the most powerful experiences we offer.
Weapons & Equipment Demonstrations
Experts demonstrate the operation and history of WWII-era weapons, communications equipment, and field gear in safe, supervised presentations.
Kids' Activities
Young visitors can participate in scavenger hunts, hands-on artifact handling sessions, and Junior Soldier drills designed to make history fun and accessible for all ages.
Tank & Vehicle Ride Tickets
On sale now — choose your day and Ride Departure Window
How Ride Departure Windows Work
Rather than an exact ride time, you'll select a Ride Departure Window when you purchase your ticket. Your ride will depart at some point during your selected window, which gives our operations team the flexibility to account for loading, vehicle operations, and weather — while still setting clear expectations for your day. Two-person tank rides let couples, friends, and families reserve a window together, while single riders are assigned to an available window at check-in.
Tank Ride for Two
Reserve a Ride Departure Window for two aboard one of our operating tanks — perfect for couples, friends, and family members who want to share the experience together.
Single Rider Tank Experience
Riding solo? Purchase a single rider ticket and we will assign you to an available Ride Departure Window when you check in.
M4 High Speed Tractor Ride
Ride aboard the M4 High Speed Tractor, the powerful artillery prime mover that hauled heavy guns and their crews across every theater of the war.
Halftrack Ride
Roll through our fields in an authentic WWII halftrack, the armored troop carrier that brought American soldiers to the front lines.
WWII GMC CCKW Truck Ride
Climb into the legendary GMC CCKW 'Deuce and a Half,' the 2.5-ton workhorse behind the Allied supply effort.
WWII Jeep Ride
Feel the spirit of the American GI aboard the rugged quarter-ton 4x4 known as the vehicle that won the war.
Climb Into History — M4A3E8 "Easy Eight" Sherman
A Military Weekend exclusive — climb aboard our M4A3E8 'Easy Eight' Sherman and see one of the most legendary tanks of WWII the way its crew did.
Every ride listing on our ticket site includes the vehicle’s history, rider requirements and safety information, what to expect when you arrive, and pricing and capacity details.
2026 Schedule
July 24–26 — Gates open daily at 9:00 AM
Friday
July 24
- 9:00 AMGates Open — Living History Camps, Vendors, and Museum Open
- 9:15 AMTank Rides and Vehicle Rides Begin (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 10:00 AMWWII Infantry Tactical Demonstration
- 10:30 AMWWII Trivia Outdoors with Richard D'Ambrisi
- 10:30 AMPost-War Vehicle Demonstration
- 11:00 AMArtillery Demonstration
- 12:00 PMNational Anthem & Artillery Salute
- 12:05 PMSmall Arms Demonstration
- 1:00 PM2-Ton and Smaller Vehicle Demonstration and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 1:30 PMIndoor Reenactor Presentation — Red Cross Clubmobile with Carolyn Ivanoff
- 1:30 PMHeavy Trucks of WWII Demonstration
- 2:00 PMWWII Infantry Tactical Demonstration
- 2:30 PMArmor and Tracked Vehicle Demonstration
- 3:00 PMTank and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 4:00 PMArena Demonstrations End for the Day
- 6:00 PMVietnam Era Rock Concert (WWIIAE Lobby) — Food Available in the Pub
Saturday
July 25
- 9:00 AMGates Open — Living History Camps, Vendors, and Museum Open
- 9:15 AMTank Rides and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 10:00 AMHuey Arrival
- 10:30 AMOutdoor Reenactor Presentation — Air Raid Warden with Nick Sekela
- 11:00 AMWWII Infantry Tactical Demonstration
- 11:30 AMArtillery Demonstration
- 12:00 PMNational Anthem & Artillery Salute
- 12:05 PMSmall Arms Demonstration
- 1:00 PMTank, Armor, and Tracked Vehicle Demonstration
- 1:30 PMIndoor Reenactor Presentation — Red Cross Clubmobile with Carolyn Ivanoff
- 1:30 PM2-Ton and Smaller Vehicle Demonstration and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 2:00 PMHeavy Trucks Demonstration
- 2:30 PMSlow Vehicle Race
- 3:00 PMInfantry Tactical Demonstration
- 3:30 PMTank Rides and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 4:30 PMLiving History Showcase
Sunday
July 26
- 9:00 AMGates Open — Living History Camps, Vendors, and Museum Open
- 9:30 AMWWII Field Church Service
- 9:30 AMTank Rides and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 10:30 AMInfantry Tactical Demonstration
- 11:00 AMHeavy Truck Demonstration (All Eras)
- 11:30 AMArtillery Demonstration
- 12:00 PMNational Anthem & Artillery Salute
- 12:05 PMSmall Arms Demonstration
- 1:00 PMArmor and Tracked Vehicle Demonstration
- 1:30 PMOutdoor Reenactor Presentation — Aircraft Warning System with Greg Miller
- 1:30 PMTank Rides and Vehicle Rides (Jeep, 2.5-Ton Truck, Halftrack)
- 2:00 PMAll Vehicles Demonstration
- 2:30 PMAll Vehicles Assemble for Group Photo
- 3:00 PMEvent Concludes
Schedule is subject to change.
Photos from Military Weekend
A look at past events on our grounds
Admission & Details
Everything you need to know before you visit
Location
845 Crooked Creek Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Parking
Free on-site parking for all visitors
Rain or Shine
Outdoor events may be adjusted for weather. Indoor exhibits remain open.
Vendors & Reenactors: Join Us
We welcome vendors, reenactors, living history groups, and military vehicle owners who want to take part in Military Weekend. To register, email us at militaryweekend@visitww2.com. Registration closes in early July — please email us to confirm this year's deadline before then.