The Gettysburg Film Festival returns April 2–4, 2026, as part of the national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. This year’s program focuses on the American Revolution—an event that changed the course of world history.

Through film screenings, live performances, and onstage conversations, the festival will explore how a fragile union of colonies challenged an empire, endured years of war, and advanced new ideas about liberty and self-government that would resonate far beyond America’s shores. 

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns will serve as the festival’s headline guest, sharing selections from his new American Revolution series and leading conversations about the people and ideas that shaped our founding.

The 2026 Gettysburg Film Festival is presented by Gettysburg History and the American Battlefield Trust.

 Click the ticketing links below to reserve your individual event tickets today.

Festival Schedule

Note: All events listed below are included with the 2026 Festival Pass.

Thursday, April 2nd

• 2 PM to 3:45 PM: The American Revolution in Popular Culture – with J.D. Huitt, Chris Mowery, Jared Frederick, Kris White, and Ken Gavin (This event is SOLD OUT; however, a paid virtual-only viewing option is now available here.)
• 6 PM to 7:30 PM: Commanders and Chiefs: Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower – with Susan Eisenhower, Jeff Shaara, and Chris Mackowski (This event is SOLD OUT; however, a paid virtual-only viewing option is now available here.)
• 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM: Author Reception and Book Signing – with Susan Eisenhower, Jeff Shaara, and Chris Mackowski (FREE)
• 8 PM to 11 PM: Film Screening: The Patriot – with Chris Mowery (Tickets)

Friday, April 3rd

• 9 AM to 4 PM: A Soldier’s Life, 1776: Continental Army Living History Camp with Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment, 3rd New Jersey Greys, and the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Moylan’s Troop) (FREE)
  
• 10 AM to 11:30 AM: The Secret War: TURN, Espionage, and the American Revolution – with Samuel Roukin, Heather Lind, Seth Numrich, and Kris White (Tickets)
• 2:30 PM to 4 PM: Waging the War of Independence – with Ken Burns, Rick Atkinson, General Stanley McChrystal, and Garry Adelman (Tickets)
• 3 PM to 5:30 PM: Flavors of the Revolution: Gettysburg in 1776 at the Dobbin House Tavern (SOLD OUT)
• 4 PM to 5 PM: Author Reception and Book Signing – with Rick Atkinson and General Stanley McChrystal (FREE)
• 7 PM to 9 PM: George Washington: The Indispensable Man – with Ken Burns, Christopher Jackson, Rick Atkinson, and Jake Boritt (Tickets)
• 9 PM to 11:15 PM: Film Screening: The Howards of Virginia – with Ken Gavin (Tickets)

Saturday, April 4th

• 10 AM to 11:30 AM: Hamilton : History Meets Hip-Hop on Stage and Screen – with Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Katherine Malone-France (This event is SOLD OUT; however, a paid virtual-only viewing option is now available here.)
• 10 AM to 4 PM: A Soldier’s Life, 1776: Continental Army Living History Camp with Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment, 3rd New Jersey Greys, and the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Moylan’s Troop) (FREE)
• 12:15 PM to 1:45 PM: Generations Event @ Revolutionary War Encampment presented by the American Battlefield Trust (FREE)
• 2 PM to 3:30 PM: America’s Founding Promise: From Jefferson to Lincoln – with Ken Burns, Sam Waterston, Annette Gordon-Reed, and Harold Holzer (Tickets)
• 2:30 PM to 5 PM: Liberty’s Kids and Colonial Dress-Up at Beyond the Battle Museum (FREE)
• 3:30 to 4:30 PM: Author Reception & Book Signing – with Annette Gordon-Reed and Harold Holzer (FREE)
• 6 PM to 9 PM: Voices of the Revolution – with Ken Burns, Geoffrey Ward, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Friends (Tickets)
• 8:30 PM to 11 PM: Film Screening: 1776 – with Jared Frederick (Tickets)

Attendees of all ages are invited to explore a Continental Army encampment on the grounds of Gettysburg High School, featuring living historians and hands-on activities that bring the Revolutionary era to life. Presented in partnership with American Battlefield Trust and Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment, with support from the 3rd New Jersey Greys and the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons (Moylan’s Troop), the encampment will be open Friday, April 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, April 4th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note: guests are subject to change, and event times may be adjusted slightly. Any significant updates will be communicated by email to ticketholders and updated on this page. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Transportation

Complimentary shuttle service, provided by the American Battlefield Trust, will run continuously between Lincoln Square (in front of Hotel Gettysburg), the Gettysburg High School Theater, and Beyond the Battle Museum (during museum operating hours). Two shuttle buses will circulate approximately every 20–25 minutes from each stop. Service will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 3rd and 4th. 

Concessions

Our friends at the Gettysburg Film Commission will be operating concessions at all shows taking place at Gettysburg High School. Additionally, two food trucks will be on-site at the High School on Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th at the following times:

• Food Adventures – Friday, April 3rd from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, April 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Bring the Vibe Mobile Eatery – Friday, April 3rd from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 4th from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Concessions will also be available at R/C Gateway Theater during the movie screenings.