Last year some friends told us about a Christmas event at Antietam national Battlefield which we figured out was the Memorial Illumination event. Luckily we were able to go to the event and enjoy a wonderful experience.
What is the Memorial Illumination?
Each year at the beginning of December the annual Memorial Illumination event is held in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. 23,000 Illuminations are displayed across the battlefield one for Each Soldier Killed, Wounded or Missing at the Battle of Antietam.
Each year about 1,500 volunteers build the luminaires and place them on the field to represent the casualties of the one day battle that happened here.
The Antietam Memorial Illumination is the largest illumination of it’s kind (not only in the United States but in all of North America) and brings over ten thousand visitors each year.
When is the Memorial Illumination?
The Memorial Illumination will be December 7, 2019 at the Antietam National Battlefield.
What time does the event start?
The Illumination opens to the public at 6:00 pm. The main entrance to the event is Richardson Avenue off Maryland 34.
Pro Tip: Be prepared to wait, arrive early to have a shorter wait time. Last year we waited for 2 hours before being able to get into the event.
Is it Worth it?
Yes, it’s a wonderful reminder of all that we have to be grateful for during the holiday season and all year long. The event is really well done. The candles are beautiful and a wonderful reminder.
The people dressed up as soldiers sitting around the fire add wonderful detail to the whole experience.
Even if it’s not something you want to do multiple times, it’s definitely something you should do at least once. Especially if you live in the area.
Attending the Illumination
How much does it cost? The event is free but contributions are gladly accepted.
How long is the tour? The Driving tour through the park is about 5 miles long. Vehicles are to use parking lights only and continue through the event without stopping. You can’t walk the tour route.
How to enter the event? The entrance to the park for this event is on Route 34. The line will be along the westbound shoulder of Route 34. The line is hard to miss. Once you reach the end of the line, turnaround at some point and join the cars waiting on the shoulder. Get detailed directions on the National Parks website.
How long is the wait? That depends when you get to the event. the line of cars waiting to enter the event can be up to two hours long. Which should be expected since over 10,000 people attend the event each year.
A few things to note:
- The Illumination opens to the public at 6 pm
- Walking the tour route is prohibited
- There are no bathrooms along the route
- You can’t stop or exit your car along the route
- The park visitor center will close at 3:00 pm
- There is no rain date if the event is canceled due to weather.
A few facts about the Battle of Antietam
Just 5 days before President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation the soldiers of two American armies converged on the peaceful village of Sharpsburg.
The Battle of Antietam was the Civil War’s bloodiest single-day battle. Now the scars of war have faded from the landscape but Antietam National Battlefield remains hallowed ground.
It’s a place where 23,000 soldiers in Blue and Gray where killed, wounded or reported missing on September 17, 1862. It’s a place to ponder the meaning of sacrifice and freedom.
It’s a place where America changed forever, just like numerous other locations across our country.
Visiting the Illuminations event is a touching and humbling experience. During the event, you will be given a brochure with a little bit of information about the Battlefield. Visiting the park visitor center during the day you will be able to learn a lot more about what happened during the battle.
As you drive through the event and are reminded of the soldiers lost at the Battle of Antietam, take a moment and give thanks to the men and women serving our country throughout the world. So many have lost their lives so that we and others could someday enjoy freedom and peace.
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