YORKTOWN, Va. — Travel back in time and experience Yorktown 1781: Before the Siege — a dynamic living history weekend that transforms Yorktown’s Historic Main Street into a bustling British occupied town on Sept. 12 and 13, 2026.
“The weekend offers a unique chance to step directly into Yorktown’s past,” said Colonial National Historical Park Superintendent Jerri Marr. “This program is one of many special events leading us toward the 250th anniversary of the Surrender at Yorktown in 2031 —each designed to deepen connections to the extraordinary stories preserved here.”
This immersive event brings to life the tense weeks leading up to the Siege of Yorktown, offering visitors a close look at daily routines, military preparations, and personal stories from soldiers and residents, who navigated the uncertainty of the American Revolution’s final major engagement.
From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, park rangers and living history volunteers will present a variety of programs and activities, including historic weapons demonstrations, military drills, camp life interpretation, and more.
A detailed schedule of programs and locations is available at: https://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
