Virginia Battle Reenactments

More major Civil War battles took place in Virginia than in any other state. Witness battles, ask questions and/or participate in the camp life of soldiers and their families. Although fewer, Revolutionary War buffs can find reenactments, too, as well as WWI and WWII commemorations!

September | October

September

Newport News - Sep 26-27 - Siege of Yorktown - See Revolutionary War soldiers build fortifications, artillery batteries exchange fire, and civilians tending to the wounded as they did at the Siege of Yorktown. Saturday evening, there will be a public demonstration recreating the assaults on Redoubts Nine and Ten, with an artillery barrage before the Allies charge the British works with assault ladders to go "over the top".

Newport News - Sep 26-27 - Revolutionary War Reenactment - Join us for our annual Revolutionary War Reenactment. See living history demonstrations, encampment and much more. There is a separate fee for touring the house.

Alexandria - Sep 26 - Civil War Shelter Program - At Fort Ward Museum, lean about the various forms of living arrangements for Civil War soldiers. This free program reviews shelter structures, tents, winter quarters and huts. Tents erected to show size and design, plus methods of heating soldier quarters, including the display of an original Sibley stove.

Battle of Stanardsville Reenactment

Woodbridge - Sep 26-27 - Anniversary of Freestone Battery - Join in the anniversary of the building of the Confederacy's northernmost artillery battery that blockaded the Potomac River in 1861. Take part in a re-enactment of historical happenings; witness a weapons firing demonstration.

Ruckersville - Sep 19-20 - Battle of Stanardsville - The sights and sounds of the Civil War will echo across the fields of Greene County, Virginia as history buffs reenact the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Stanardsville. The event features exciting battle scenes, a costume Southern Ball, night artillery fire.

Winchester - Sep 18-19 - Civil War Weekend - Living Historians portray the military personalities from the Civil War and discuss the events in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. Re-enactors portray the life of the average soldier with a display of uniforms, food, equipment and firing demonstrations and drill displays. Medical procedures of the Civil War, including mock amputations, are also presented.

October

Saltville - Oct 2 - Civil War Troops Memorial Service - Honor those massacred on October 3, 1864 by attending the Civil War Troops Memorial Service. Free

Laurel Hill in Ararat

Ararat - Oct 3-4 - Civil War Encampment & Reenactment - 18th Annual - Don't miss one of the highest-quality re-enactment events in the world! The Blue Ridge Mountains will ring again with the clash of sabers, the thunder of the big guns, and the battle cries of the bloodiest war ever fought! Hundreds of re-enactors fill the hills in Ararat, Virginia - home to General JEB Stuart.

Bristow - Oct 3-4 - World War II Weekend at Brentsville - Join World War II living historians to learn about daily life for American soldiers in Europe and Japan. Men portraying American and German soldiers will bring historical equipment and armaments. Also learn about how local residents did their part to support the war effort. Call 703-365-7895 for more inform

Alexandria - Oct 10 - Tools of the Soldier's Trade: Civil War Firearms - Fort Ward hosts a discussion and demonstration of advances in firearms and munitions technology from the early stages of the Civil War through Appomattox. At this free event, learn how changes in Civil War weaponry influenced military tactics even beyond World War I. Display features reproduction weapons and ammunitions, plus firing demonstration!

Williamsburg - Oct 10-11 - Prelude to Victory - Meet part of a vast army on its way to lay siege to Yorktown in what proves to be the decisive battle of the American Revolution. Experience the lives and thoughts of a number of America’s revolutionary heroes as they progress toward their destiny – and ours.

Suffolk - Oct 17 - A Civil War Wedding - Riddick's Folly will host a Civil War wedding. But this is more than a reenactment; its a real wedding with a bride and groom actually being wed! Riddick's Folly will provide the period wedding dress, and a venue for the ceremony and reception as would have been common practice during the hard times of the Civil War. $6 per “uninvited guest”; invited guests of the bride and groom admitted free.

Middletown - Oct 17-18 - Battle of Cedar Creek Re-enactment - Relive the battle of Cedar Creek and life of ordinary citizens as you visit the field and encampments surrounding it. Interpreters in period dress will inhabit the camps and Manor House to provide visitors with a view of history. Weekend passes are available for $15, students are half price and children under 8 are free.

Williamsburg - Oct 17-18 - Yorktown Victory Celebration - Revolutionary War military and artillery demonstrations and special interpretive programs at the Yorktown Victory Center mark the anniversary of America's momentous victory at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. Special programs also held at Yorktown Battlefield, administered by the National Park Service. Townwide events on Yorktown Day, October 19, include a parade and patriotic ceremonies.

Yorktown - Oct 17-18 - Yorktown Victory Weekend - Special programs and tours mark the anniversary of the American and French Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown that secured independence for the United States of America. Nearby, complementary events are held at the Yorktown Victory Center, administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (separate entrance fee).

Yorktown - Oct 19 - Yorktown Day Observance - Ceremonies, a parade and tactical demonstrations by the Commander-in-Chief's Guard commemorate the annviversary of the surrender of the British army to General Washington at Yorktown, the victory that secured independence for the United States of America. Free

Walkerton - Oct 31-Nov 1 - Locust Grove Civil War Reenactment - Take a trip back in time, the Civil War Reenactment at Locust Grove Plantation is a fun family event. Wander and explore Civil War camps, see how the troopers slept. There will be Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery there, ask the questions about the history, their fire arms, clothing and what they ate. Shop at the Sulters aka an 1860's mini mall. Demos during the day. Come visit with General Lee. This event is held the 1st weekend of November of each year.

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