Known as Baltimore's oldest holiday, Defenders' Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the nation's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." Celebrated continuously each year since the Brits sailed away in 1814!

Here's what you need to know:

Park Status: Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine is open daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Visitors can enter the grounds for free but must pay a fee for entrance to the historic star fort. Information can be found on our Fees page.

On Saturday, September 18, Fort McHenry's grounds will close at 5:00pm and all visitors must exit the grounds. The gates will then reopen at 7:00pm for the FREE evening program. Gates will close again at 10:00pm.

FREE Saturday evening event where luminaries will light up the Fort’s ramparts and grounds. 1213 luminaries (glowing bags with lights inside), one for each soldier and sailor who defended the Fort & Baltimore in 1814, will ring the star fort’s ramparts and other areas of the grounds.

During the day, experience 1814 living history with both Citizen and Soldier encampments, along with musket and cannon firings.

Enjoy musical performances by the Fort McHenry Guard Fife & Drum Corps and U.S. Army Musical Groups. This includes the Jazz Band, Jazztet, and the Brass Quintet.

The U.S. Army Old Guard, U.S. Army Drill Team and the U.S. Army Commander-In-Chief’s Guard will perform

United States Citizen and Immigration Services Naturalization (USCIS) Ceremony to swear in new U.S. citizens

U.S. Army Military District of Washington New Soldier Enlistment Ceremony featuring local recruits

There will be NO FIREWORKS for this event.

How you can participate:

Join us for any part of the event (schedule below)

Join us from the water! Bring your boat out onto the river outside of the fort to help us light up the water like it would have been in 1814! View the luminaries and the flag from your boat!

Join us through our LIVE Webcam! Participate in the different events, hear the live music and cannons, and view the luminaries and flag from the comfort of your own couch!

Join us virtually! Watch for Defenders' Day posts on social media and share with your friends! Tag Fort McHenry in posts about your favorite Defenders' Day memories on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Make sure to use the tags: #VirtualDefendersDay #DigitalDefendersDay and #FindYourVirtualPark!

For the full schedule visit: https://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/defenders-day.htm