Nov 4, 2026
Commemoration at Gettysburg National Cemetery Includes Luminary Candles and Readings of Civil War Soldiers’ Names.
Gettysburg Foundation will host the 24th Annual Remembrance Day Illumination Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Gettysburg National Cemetery. Free and open to the public, the annual commemoration features a luminary candle on each of the 3,512 Civil War soldiers’ graves, while volunteers read aloud the names of the fallen throughout the evening.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, 5:30–9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pa. — Entrances at Taneytown Road and Baltimore Street.
DETAILS: Remembrance Day Illumination commemorates the dedication of Soldiers’ National Cemetery on Nov. 19, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. More than 160 years later, the annual event offers an opportunity to remember the soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Gettysburg and reflect on Lincoln’s call for the nation to carry forward the work of those who sacrificed. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the Illumination invites reflection on the importance of remembering these soldiers and preserving their stories for future generations.
LUMINARY CANDLE SPONSORSHIPS: The public is invited to sponsor luminary candles in honor or memory of a loved one through Nov. 6.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: Volunteers are needed to help set up luminaries and assist with cleanup following the event. Assignments are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, contact Gettysburg Foundation at Friends@GettysburgFoundation.org or 717-339-2163.
“The Illumination is a solemn time to gather at Gettysburg National Cemetery and reflect on the human cost of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War. As each candle is placed and each name is read aloud, the magnitude of the loss becomes personal. The quiet act of remembering each fallen soldier offers a moment to reflect on lives cut short and families forever changed by the events that unfolded here,” said Barbara Sardella, interim president and CEO of Gettysburg Foundation.
Gettysburg Foundation partners with the National Park Service to support preservation and education at Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, helping connect visitors with the history and enduring significance of these places.
The event is dependent on favorable weather conditions. Updates will be posted at GettysburgFoundation.org and Gettysburg Foundation’s social media channels if plans change.