Top Reasons to Visit Gettysburg this June

Do it for dear old dad! Father’s Day is June 16, and there’s a good chance Dad would appreciate spending time with you in Gettysburg. Treat him to a battlefield tour, a museum and steak dinner in town. Our online calendar has a variety of Father’s Day events and activities to peak your interest.

Commemorate the 80^th anniversary of D-Day at the Eisenhower National Historic Site, Gettysburg National Cemetery and other locations around town from June 6-7. Learn more about how Gettysburg’s famous resident led the allied forces as it began the liberation of Western Europe with this special anniversary event.

The Gettysburg Brass Band Festival is back for its 26^th year with bands, ensembles and other musical groups from seven states to entertain more than 3,000 listeners over five days at locations across the historic town. Check out the schedule here and join in the fun!

The historic Majestic Theater – a gem in Downtown Gettysburg – has just announced its line-up of classic movies, starting June 5 and running through August 21. Check out some of your childhood favorites and perhaps a few flicks you’ve yet to cross off your list.

Enjoy some amazing craft beverages from around the region at two new(er) events happening this June. The PA Cider Fest is back after a year hiatus on June 15, and Liberty Mountain Resort is welcoming wineries from around Pennsylvania for its first-ever Liberty Winefest on June 8.

The George Spangler Farm, a restored Civil War field hospital, opens for the summer on June 7, and showcases a variety of living historians, programs and historical impressions that bring the Battle of Gettysburg to life. Visiting the site is free with a ticket purchase from the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center.

Immerse yourself into Gettysburg’s history like never before with the Civil War Institute’s Summer Conference, a week of in-depth programming, lectures, tours and discussions from some of the nation’s leading historians.

You may have memorized the Gettysburg Address, but do you know Lincoln’s anguish the night before as he put the finishing touches on his immortal speech? Actor and playwright Chuck Johnson brings Lincoln’s thoughts to life with “The Night Before Gettysburg,” a three-act, one-man play at the very place where the 16^th president arrived that November evening. His play runs three days – from June 28-30 – at the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station.

It’s not quite the dog days of summer, but June is a great time to bring your furry friend along on your next Gettysburg getaway. It’s not quite as hot for your four-legged companion, and this historic town is as welcoming as it gets for your dog with open-spaces, outdoor dining and pet-friendly accommodations.

To be fair, let’s not forget the cats. While maybe traveling with your kitty may not be quite conducive, you can learn about the Civil War in a fun, feline way with Civil War Tails, a collection of dioramas using miniature cat soldiers. No seriously. We’re not kidding.