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Yorktown Victory Celebration
October 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Yorktown Victory Celebration
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Saturday, October 18
Sunday, October 19
Yorktown Victory Celebration October 18 & 19, 2025 at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Celebrate America’s momentous 1781 Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown on October 18 &19 with artillery firings, exhibits and interpretive programs examining the significance of the American and French alliance.
In addition to commemorative programs at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, town-wide events feature the Yorktown Day Parade and patriotic exercises in historic Yorktown, in partnership with the Yorktown Day Association, Colonial National Historical Park Yorktown Battlefield, The American Friends of Lafayette and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.
At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, stories of citizens and soldiers unfold daily through immersive films, exhibition galleries and interpretive programs in outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm.
Interpretive demonstrations & musical performances
Visitors to the Continental Army encampment will discover aspects of military life, from enlistment to troop supplies and flintlock muskets to 18th-century medical care. Throughout the day, visitors can discuss military tactics with the Comte de Rochambeau, and learn about early land surveying in the Virginia colony.
Artillery demonstrations, showcasing the varied roles of the artillery crew, will take place in the outdoor amphitheater at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
On Saturday, October 18, listen to martial music played by the Fifes and Drums of York Town and a talk by Dr. Sean Heuvel about Virginians who defended their communities in the militia, followed by a signing of his new book “Virginia Militia Commanders at Yorktown.”
Farm visitors can learn about typical life of a Revolution-era farming family. Special demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. will explore 18th-century foodways and the convergence of cultures through food at the farm kitchen and enslaved people’s quarters.
Scheduled events for Saturday Oct 18 & Sunday Oct 19
Saturday, October 18
Scheduled Events – Saturday, October 18
| Approximate Time | Location | Description |
| 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Special Exhibition Gallery | Fresh Views of the American Revolution Discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the American Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and through engaging community art programs. Opening this weekend, this special exhibition runs through May 3, 2026. Meet some of the artists during a special tour of the exhibition at noon! |
| 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | 18th-Century Foodways African Americans, whether free or enslaved, contributed to both sides of the American Revolution. Their food culture, as well as that of people of Indigenous or European descent, contributed to what we recognize today as “American” food. Explore the convergence of cultures through food at the farm kitchen and enslaved peoples’ quarters. |
| 10 a.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Drill! Fall in line as a Continental soldier and practice drilling with wooden muskets. |
| 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | Dyeing for the Cause Making and dyeing homespun textiles became both a necessity and a political statement of patriotism during the war. Learn about natural dyes and see what beautiful colors could be produced from available materials. |
| 10:30 a.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Meet a Person of the Past: Comte de Rochambeau Enjoy this first-person encounter with Comte de Rochambeau, a French nobleman and general who led the French forces during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Michael Halbert. |
| 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Artillery Demonstrations Join the artillery crew to learn firsthand about the importance of artillery during the Siege of Yorktown. Then cover your ears as the 18th-century crew fires the weapon! (Weather permitting) |
| 11:30 a.m. | Education Center B & C | “More Dead Than Alive”: Prisoners of War During the American Revolution This presentation explores prisoner of war experiences during the American Revolution, including confinement, prisoner exchanges and parole from various perspectives. (Mature themes. May not be appropriate for all audiences.) |
| 12:15 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Fifes and Drums of York Town Enjoy the martial music of the 18th century. |
| 1 p.m. | Education Center B & C | “Virginia Militia Commanders at Yorktown” Author Sean Heuvel explores the lives and service of the Virginia militia commanders who served at Yorktown. A book signing will follow the talk. |
| 2 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment Drill Field | Land Surveying Join us to learn the basics of surveying and map making, as well as the impact of westward expansion. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | Kitchen Garden Tour Take a turn around the farm garden and see what’s in season! Try your hand grinding herbs that would be used in home remedies or help with weeding and watering as needed. |
Sunday, October 19
Scheduled events – Sunday, October 19
| Approximate Time | Location | Description |
| 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Special Exhibition Gallery | Fresh Views of the American Revolution Discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the American Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and through engaging community art programs. Opening this weekend, this special exhibition runs through May 3, 2026. Learn more. |
| 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | 18th-Century Foodways African Americans, whether free or enslaved, contributed to both sides of the American Revolution. Their food culture, as well as that of people of Indigenous or European descent, contributed to what we recognize today as “American” food. Explore the convergence of cultures through food at the farm kitchen and enslaved peoples’ quarters. |
| 10 a.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Drill! Fall in line as a Continental soldier and practice drilling with wooden muskets. |
| 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Meet a Person of the Past: Comte de Rochambeau Enjoy this first-person encounter with Comte de Rochambeau, a French nobleman and general who led the French forces during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Michael Halbert. |
| 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Artillery Demonstrations Join the artillery crew to learn firsthand about the importance of artillery during the Siege of Yorktown. Then cover your ears as the 18th-century crew fires the weapon! (Weather permitting) |
| 2 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Espionage With an army out-manned and out-supplied, how did Washington utilize espionage to win the Revolutionary War? |
| 2:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | Kitchen Garden Tour Take a turn around the farm garden and see what’s in season! Try your hand grinding herbs that would be used in home remedies or help with weeding and watering as needed. |
| 3:30 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment Drill Field | Land Surveying Join us to learn the basics of surveying and map making, as well as the impact of westward expansion. |
More information about this event can be found here
On Yorktown Day on October 19, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offers free admission to active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members with military identification.
FREE admission for residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, with proof of residency.
