March

Saturday, March 17^th, The Advance of the Irish Brigade- This battlefield hike will meet near the Stone Observation Tower at 1:15 pm and follow the footsteps of the Irish Brigade during its assault on the Sunken Road.       

Sunday, March 18^th, Supporting the Irish Brigade- This battlefield hike will begin near the Observation Tower at 1:15 pm and will explore the terrain covered by General Israel Richardson’s Division after crossing the Antietam Creek.

Sunday, March 25^th, Nicodemus Heights- This battlefield hike will begin near Tour Stop # 2, The North Woods, at 1:15 pm. The hike will focus on the role played by the Confederate artillery on the northern end of the field, including a stop at Nicodemus Heights, which is seldom visited private property.

April
Sunday, April 1^st, The East Woods- Join the ranger at Tour Stop #2, The North Woods, for a 1.5 mile battlefield hike. This hike will focus on the fighting in and around the East Woods on September 16^th & 17^th, 1862. The program will begin at 1:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 15^th, The Burnside Bridge-This hike will meet at Auto Tour Stop # 9 at 1:15 p.m. The ranger led program will follow the new trail on the eastern side of the Antietam Creek and will explore the numerous attempts by the Federal forces to carry the bridge.

Sunday, April 22^nd, Attack on Lee's Right- This battlefield hike will begin near Tour Stop #9, Burnside Bridge, at 1:15 pm. The most rugged section of the battlefield will be explored on this hike including Snavely’s Ford, Lower Cornfield, Narrow Cornfield, and the Hawkin’s Zouave
Monument.

Sunday, April 29^th, Preservation at Antietam Battlefield- This hike will focus on the history of the Battlefield Park, its development, preservation, and maintenance.  Meet the rangers near the New York State Monument at 1:15 p.m.

May

Sunday, May 6^th, The West Woods- This battlefield hike will begin near the New York State Monument at 1:15 pm and will focus on the deadly fighting in and around the West Woods.

Sunday, May 13^th, Full Battlefield Hike- This hike will cover the whole field in two parts. Meet the rangers behind the visitor center at 9:30 a.m. for the morning hike which will explore the Cornfield, East and West Woods, and the Sunken Road.  Following a lunch break, the afternoon hike will begin at Auto Tour Stop #9, The Lower Bridge, at 1:30 p.m. This hike will explore the Union attempts to capture the bridge, as well as the final attack on the Confederate line. The program will conclude near the bridge at approximately 4:30 p.m. The morning hike is 3 miles and the afternoon 2.5 miles.

June

Saturday and Sunday, June 9 & 10, Artillery Weekend -Living history volunteers portraying Colonel Stephen D. Lee's Battalion will discuss the role of artillery at Antietam.  Located near the center of the Confederate line, the hill that the Visitor center is built on was a key Confederate artillery position.  Colonel Steven Dill Lee’s Battalion held the hill against tremendous odds.  They lost about 25% of their men and horses, ten times the normal losses of Civil War artillery in a typical battle.  Colonel Lee ever after referred to Antietam as “artillery hell.”  Firing demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd & 24^th, The United States Sanitary Commission at Antietam-Living history volunteers will tell the story of the United States Sanitary Commission and demonstrate the role it played in improving the life of the common soldier by portraying a soldier feeding station.  They will discuss their role in Civil War and the aftermath of the Battle of Antietam by providing comfort and solace to the troops.  Presentations will be held both Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in the camp throughout the weekend.

July

Saturday, July 7^th, Antietam Salute to Independence Celebration- Join the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Zambelli International Fireworks for a special Independence Day commemoration. The two hour concert begins at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks display immediately following the concert. Note: Due to this special event, the visitor center will be open from 8:30 am until 3:00 p.m. Several of the park roads will not be available to tour after 3:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, July 21^st & 22^nd, Technology of War Weekend-Living history volunteers portraying Berdan’s Sharpshooters and Union Infantry will perform tactical firing demonstrations to illustrate advances in military technology during the Civil War. These advances in technology were one reason the Battle of Antietam became the bloodiest single day battle in American History.  Col. Vince Armstrong will display his gun collection to show the rapid change in firearms technology before and during the Civil War. His interpretive programs will be followed by weapons and tactics demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in the camp throughout the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday, July 28^th & 29^th , 6th New Hampshire Weekend at Antietam
Living history volunteers will portray the 6th New Hampshire Infantry recreating the life of a Civil War soldier, how he lived, marched and fought.  Join the 6th New Hampshire to learn about the history of the regiment and the stories of the common soldiers who fought with this unit.  Weapons and tactics demonstrations will be held both Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in the camp throughout the weekend.

August

Saturday and Sunday, August 11^th & 12th, The 27th Virginia Infantry will be featured at Antietam- Living history volunteers will portray the 27th Virginia Infantry recreating the life of a Civil War soldier, how he lived, marched and fought.  Join the 27th Virginia to learn about the history of the regiment and the stories of the common soldiers who fought with this unit.   Weapons and tactics demonstrations will be held both Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in the camp throughout the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday, August 18^th & 19^th, 9th Louisiana at Sharpsburg -Living history volunteers will portray the 9th Louisiana Infantry recreating the life of a Civil War soldier, how he lived, marched and fought.  Join the 9th Louisiana to learn about the history of the regiment and the stories of the common soldiers who fought with this unit.  Weapons and tactics demonstrations will be held both Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in the camp throughout the weekend.

September

Friday-Monday, September 14^th-17^th, Battle Anniversary Weekend-   A full schedule of special hikes and programs will be announced in late August, including an all-day hike on Monday, September 17^th.

October

Saturday and Sunday, October 27^th & 28^th, Living History Weekend- Living History volunteers portraying Confederate Military Forces will recreate the life of a Civil War soldier, how he lived, marched, and fought. Join them to learn about the Confederate Infantry and the stories of the common soldier. Weapons and tactics demonstrations will be held on Saturday and Sunday, with ongoing interpretation in camp throughout the day.

December

Saturday, December 1^st, Nineteenth Annual Memorial Illumination- 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. In the event of high winds or heavy rain, this event will be rescheduled to December 8^th. Note: The visitor center will be open from 8:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. Several of the park roads will not be available to tour after 3:00 p.m.