Defenders' Day

Learn about generations of Fort McHenry's defenders through the ages.

National Park Service/Tim Ervin

Join us September 12th—14th for special Defenders’ Day events commemorating the successful defense of Baltimore against British attack in 1814. and Celebrated since 1815, Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday and this year's activities will celebrate the generations of defenders who served at Fort McHenry and later fought to preserve the site as a National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Schedule of Events

 

Friday September 12, 2025

10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

11:15 a.m. Defenders Through the Ages
This year, Fort McHenry celebrates its 100th anniversary as a National Park Service site! On this program we'll explore the many defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century. 

4:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change
Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

7:00 p.m.—Parade!
Join National Park Service rangers and the fifes and drums of the Fort McHenry Guard as we parade through Locust Point to kick off the weekend!

 

Park Ranger drives "History Machine" mobile visitor center in Baltimore

NPS/Tim Ervin

Tracing the Trail! at Patterson Park

On Friday, September 12, join the Fort McHenry Guard at Patterson Park along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail for living history demonstrations and musical performances to learn about the lives of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who served on Hampstead Hill during the Battle of Baltimore

 

Visitors participating in evening flag change in Star Fort. Credit: NPS Volunteer Tim Ervin

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Throughout the day, join us for ranger programs and living history demonstrations highlighting the generations of Fort McHenry's defenders.

10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ongoing)—Baltimore, 1814
Explore the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812 with living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.

11:15 a.m. Defenders Through the Ages
This year, Fort McHenry celebrates its 100th anniversary as a National Park Service site! On this program we'll explore the many defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century. 

12:00 p.m.—"Roar of the Drums”
Enjoy a musical performance by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps and hear the music and calls that woke, directed, and inspired the defenders of Fort McHenry through the generations.

1:15 p.m. Defenders Through the Ages
This year, Fort McHenry celebrates its 100th anniversary as a National Park Service site! On this program we'll explore the many defenders of Fort McHenry, from those who protected Baltimore and inspired the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812, to the U.S. soldiers who preserved the Union during the Civil War, to those who led the movement to preserve Fort McHenry as a national park in the early 20th century. 

2:00 p.m.—The Guns that Won the Battle
Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812.

4:00 p.m.—Final Formation and Evening Flag Change
Join rangers and the Fort McHenry Guard to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

 

Artillery demonstration

NPS/Tim Ervin

Sunday, September 14th

10:00 a.m.—Hoist the Colors!
Join rangers and living historians of the Fort McHenry Guard for the morning flag change and help raise the Star-Spangled Banner o’er the ramparts of the historic star fort!

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Baltimore, 1814
Learn about the daily lives of men and women throughout Baltimore during the War of 1812. Visit the tavern tent or sutler tent to learn about life in a port city.

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.—The Guns that Won the Battle
Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812.

12:00 p.m.—"Roar of the Drums”
Learn about the lives of musicians during the War of 1812 and enjoy a musical performance by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.—"The Guns that Won the Battle” Historic Weapons Demonstrations
Join living historians from the Fort McHenry Guard, Ship’s Company, and the Chesapeake Independent Blues to learn about the lives and of soldiers, sailors, and marines and the skills and science used to load and fire artillery and muskets during the War of 1812. Demonstrations continue throughout the afternoon.

4:00 p.m.—Evening Flag Change
Join rangers to close out the day and reflect on the meaning of the national symbol by bringing down the historic Star-Spangled Banner and raising up the modern 50-star flag of today's generation.

 

American field musicians in War of 1812 uniforms

NPS Volunteer Tim Ervin

Parking and Transportation

Free parking will be available at the park, but will be limited. All public parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Parking areas are closed to all vehicles whose passengers leave the grounds for more than one hour.

Visitors are encouraged to use alternate or public transportation. Some options include:

• Bus – A public bus stop is located outside of the park main gate. Both Maryland Public Transit and Charm City Circulator buses pick up and drop off at the station.
• Ride share – Visitors arriving by taxi or ride share may be dropped off in the main parking lot. Only buses are permitted to drop off in the designated bus lane. Vehicles are prohibited from dropping off and parking in the designated fire lanes, which are marked with red curb paint.
• Water Taxi – The park is accessible by the Baltimore Water Taxi. Please note that tickets for the Water Taxi cannot be purchased at the park. Visitors must begin their Water Taxi trip at another station if they wish to board from Fort McHenry.
• Bicycles - Bicycles are permitted within the park. Riders must adhere to the posted speed limits. Bicycles are not permitted in the historic zone. Bicycle racks are located in the main parking lot on a first come, first served basis.
• Motorized Scooters - Scooters, including those part of a public ride share program, are strictly prohibited within the park. Fort McHenry is a restricted area for scooter and bicycle ride share drop off and pick up. Ride share vehicles cannot be left behind or unattended within the park boundary. A rack is available outside of the main gate to dock scooters.
• For the safety of visitors and park resources, the use of skateboards, inline skates, and roller skates is not permitted within the park. Additional information on permissible activities within the park can be found in the Superintendent’s Compendium.
  

Food and Dining

• The park does not offer full service or indoor dining facilities. Visitors are welcome to bring food into the park and enjoy the designated picnic areas on the East Lawn and in the Orpheus Grove near the main entrance gate. The use of fire, stoves, or grills is prohibited.
• Vending machines offering beverages and snacks are available outside the Visitor and Education Center. Trash bins are located throughout the park.

Recreation

• Visitors are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs into the park. The use of hammocks is not permitted.

• Organized games and team sports cannot be played in the park. This includes but is not limited to baseball, football, croquet, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee.

• Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft such as drones is strictly prohibited.

• Pets are welcome in the park but must be on a leash not exceeding six (6) feet. Visitors must clean up after their pets. Pets are not permitted in the historic zone (Star Fort) or the Visitor Contact Station. Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park.

• The Seawall Trail and West Lawn will be closed to recreational use at 5:30 p.m.

Please refer to the Superintendent’s Compendium. for more information regarding recreation policies and restrictions.

Admission Fees and Passes

The entrance fee to the historic zone (Star Fort) is $15.00 for adults 16 years of age and older; children 15 and younger are free. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. You must keep your entrance receipt to re-enter the park in the 7-day time period. America the Beautiful or Fort McHenry annual Passes are alternatives to the above fees. For more information on fees and passes, please click here.

Fees will be collected until 4:00 p.m.

Safety

• The Visitor Center, Star Fort, and grounds may be closed to entry by the general public carrying backpacks, daypacks, large handbags, packages, coolers, or other large containers. These items are subject to search and inspection for weapons or items hazardous to visitors or staff.
• Leaving property, including bags and strollers, unattended in the park is prohibited.
• The possession and use of fireworks, firecrackers, and sparklers is prohibited.