Yorktown Victory Celebration
Yorktown Victory Celebration October 17 & 18, 2026 at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Celebrate America’s momentous 1781 Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown on Saturda, October 17 &Sunday, 18 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.
This annual event has artillery firings, exhibits and interpretive programs examining the pivotal siege. Meet Alexander Hamilton, enjoy the Fifes and Drums of York Town and an 18th-century-style puppet show about the “Siege of Yorktown” just as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would have. See the full two day schedule…
Schedule at a glance
| Saturday, October 17 Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Approximate Time | Location | Description |
| 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Special Exhibition Gallery | “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation” “Give Me Liberty” examines the essential Virginia people, events and places that helped bring liberty and democracy to a nation. Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition highlights the complex, diverse and inspiring Virginia history which is, in fact, America’s story. |
| 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | 18th-Century Foodways How will you feed your family during the disruption of the Revolutionary War? Find out what foods were eaten by middling farmers and enslaved people, and how they were prepared and preserved in the farm’s kitchen and at the enslaved people’s quarters. |
| 10 a.m.-Noon & 1-3 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Meet a Person of the Past: Alexander Hamilton Enjoy this first-person encounter with Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, commander of three battalions during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Luke Nathan Phillips. |
| 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. | Continental Army Encampment | Fifes and Drums of York Town Enjoy the martial music of the 18th century. |
| Noon | Revolution-era Farm | The Science of Laundry The laundry never ends for these unsung heroines of the Revolution! Come learn about the molecular science of why soap works and put that knowledge to the test doing the laundry for the Continental Army. |
| 1 p.m. | TowneBank Pavilion | “Siege of Yorktown” Be entertained with an 18th-century-style puppet play enjoyed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The exciting “Siege of Yorktown” will delight families, holding the attention of adults and children alike. |
| 2 p.m. | Continental Army Encampment | Drill! Fall in line as a Continental soldier and practice marching and drilling. |
| 4 p.m. | Revolution-era Farm | Kitchen Garden Tour Take a turn around the farm garden and see what’s in season. Try your hand at grinding herbs that would be used in home remedies. Help with weeding and watering as needed. |
Sunday, October 18 Schedule Approximate Time Location Description 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Special Exhibition Gallery “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation”
“Give Me Liberty” examines the essential Virginia people, events and places that helped bring liberty and democracy to a nation. Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition highlights the complex, diverse and inspiring Virginia history which is, in fact, America’s story.9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Revolution-era Farm 18th-Century Foodways
How will you feed your family during the disruption of the Revolutionary War? Find out what foods were eaten by middling farmers and enslaved people, and how they were prepared and preserved in the farm’s kitchen and at the enslaved people’s quarters.10 a.m.-Noon & 1-3 p.m. Continental Army Encampment Meet a Person of the Past: Alexander Hamilton
Enjoy this first-person encounter with Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton, commander of three battalions during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Luke Nathan Phillips.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)Noon TowneBank Pavilion French Allies at Yorktown
Learn about our French allies who were here at the Siege of Yorktown. Take a closer look at who these soldiers were, the scope of their involvement during the siege, and what happened afterward.1 p.m. TowneBank Pavilion “Siege of Yorktown”
Be entertained with an 18th-century-style puppet play enjoyed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The exciting “Siege of Yorktown” will delight families, holding the attention of adults and children alike.2 p.m. Continental Army Encampment Drill!
Fall in line as a Continental soldier and practice marching and drilling.4 p.m. Revolution-era Farm Kitchen Garden Tour
Take a turn around the farm garden and see what’s in season. Try your hand at grinding herbs that would be used in home remedies. Help with weeding and watering as needed
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.
More information about this event can be found here
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