Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination

By Rachel Cooper, About.com Guide

The Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination is held each December in honor of the soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. At twilight, 23,110 luminaries will be lit, one for each soldier who was killed, wounded or missing during the bloodiest day of the American Civil War. The free 5 mile driving tour is the largest memorial illumination in North America. The first Illumination was held in 1988. The event is held at the beginning of the holiday season to remind us of the sacrifices made by members of our military and their families.

Date and Time
December 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
Rain or Snow Date: December 8, 2012

Location
Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam is located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, approximately 70 miles northwest of Washington, DC, 65 miles west of Baltimore, 23 miles west of Frederick and 13 miles south of Hagerstown. The main entrance to the Illumination is Richardson Avenue off Maryland Route 34. From Boonsboro, travel west on Route 34. A line will form on the westbound shoulder.

Attending Tips

• Be patient and prepared for a long wait. The line of cars to enter can be up to two hours long.
  
  
• Visitors are prohibited from walking the tour route.
  
  
• Note, the visitor center closes at 3 p.m. There are no bathrooms along the route.
  
  
• Vehicles must use parking lights only and proceed without stopping.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/anti

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