Join us September 15th—17th to commemorate Defenders’ Day which honors the successful defense of the city from British attack in 1814. Celebrated since 1815, Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday. The National Park Service and its partners invite visitors to explore the history of Baltimore’s diverse community of defenders by learning about the daily lives and experiences of soldiers, sailors, and civilians who came together to defend their city in 1814, and those who continue to support their local and national communities today.
Visitors participating in evening flag change in Star Fort. Credit: NPS Volunteer Tim Ervin
Schedule of Events
Friday September 15, 2023
Pride of Baltimore II Deck Tours
Cross the gangway and come aboard to learn about Baltimore’s tall ship, Pride of Baltimore II. Explore the deck and talk to her captain and crew. Learn about the history of Baltimore Clippers and Pride II; or hear from a crew member what it is like to sail a tall ship today.
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!
Saturday, September 16, 2023
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!
12:00 p.m.—Roar of the Drums, Voices of Baltimore
Experience the sounds of the fort of 1814 as the Fort McHenry Guard Fife & Drum Corps will perform field music and calls from the War of 1812.
Enjoy the modern drumming styles of The Marching Elite marching band.
Enjoy vocal performances by The Singing Sensations choir of Baltimore
1:00 p.m.—3:45 p.m.—Explore Stories of Defenders Past and Present
Celebrate Baltimore’s heroes past and present with living history, War of 1812 weapons demonstrations, a timeline of soldier’s life by the 1-175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, and musical performances by “The Adjutant General’s Own” 229th Army Band of the Maryland National Guard.
Cannon and musket demonstrations on East Lawn at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Musical Performances on Orpheus Stage at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:15 p.m.
4:00 p.m.—Evening Formation and Raising the Storm Flag
Join park rangers and the Fort McHenry Guard to raise the storm flag as the Defenders did during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814.
Pride of Baltimore II Deck Tours
Cross the gangway and come aboard to learn about Baltimore’s tall ship, Pride of Baltimore II. Explore the deck and talk to her captain and crew. Learn about the history of Baltimore Clippers and Pride II; or hear from a crew member what it is like to sail a tall ship today.
6:30 p.m.—Defenders’ Day: Heroes Past and Present
Kick back in your chair or on your picnic blanket and enjoy an evening of music celebrating the service of defenders from 1814 to today. Evening program features:
U.S. Army Enlistment Ceremony
Concert by The United States Army Field Band
Fireworks!
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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!
Pride of Baltimore II Deck Tours
Cross the gangway and come aboard to learn about Baltimore’s tall ship,Pride of Baltimore II. Explore the deck and talk to her captain and crew. Learn about the history of Baltimore Clippers and Pride II; or hear from a crew member what it is like to sail a tall ship today.
11:00 a.m.—War in the Chesapeake
Explore the history of the 1813-1814 Chesapeake Campaign that brought terror and destruction to small towns such as Havre de Grace and Fredericktown, culminated in the burning of Washington D.C. and the bombardment of Fort McHenry inspiring the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner.
1:00 p.m.— Our Flag Was Still There: The Star Spangled Banner that Survived the British and 200 years and the Armistead Family Who Saved it
Join guest author Tom McMillan to follow the Star-Spangled Banner on an often-perilous journey through three centuries to learn the “story behind the story” account of one of the country’s most treasured relics.
5:00 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 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 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, 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. Evening program is FREE.
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.
