Yorktown Day Celebration

Do not miss the annual celebration in Yorktown, marking the last major military action of the American Revolution! Note – this year the celebration is spread across Victory Weekend, October 16-19th!

• Friday – Kick off Yorktown’s Victory Weekend in style with a patriotic concert featuring certified Platinum country artist Michael Ray, live at 7 p.m., Friday, October 16, at Riverwalk Landing in Historic Yorktown.
• Saturday – From 9am-3pm, enjoy this patriotic market filled with red, white, and blue pride. Shop from local artists offering Americana-inspired art, woodwork, and glassware, or fill your basket with all-American eats and French-inspired treats.
• Saturday & Sunday: Experience live artillery demonstrations and immersive Revolutionary War programs at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• Monday – Yorktown Day!: Join Colonial National Historical Park for Yorktown Day, including a wreath-laying ceremony at Victory Monument, a patriotic parade, and opportunities to explore the historic sites where history was made. Ceremony and parade times are posted on this link: Yorktown Day 2026

Where: The Victory Monument and Historic Main Street, Yorktown, VA, with related events at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield

When: Monday, October 19, 2026. Cost: Free to attend

Description: Yorktown Day marks the surrender that effectively ended the Revolutionary War, and the town commemorates it every October 19. A typical year includes wreath-laying ceremonies honoring American, French, British and Loyalist soldiers, patriotic exercises at the Victory Monument, and a parade down Historic Main Street with marching bands, reenactors and community groups. This year the commemoration lands in the middle of the nation’s 250th anniversary observances, so expect a bigger turnout than usual.

The history: On October 19, 1781, following a nine-day bombardment, British forces in Yorktown under General Charles Cornwallis requested a cease-fire and then surrendered more than 8,000 soldiers and sailors to the combined American and French armies commanded by General George Washington. This was the last major military action of the American Revolution, effectively securing independence for the American colonies after a six-and-a-half-year military struggle.

Getting around: The free Yorktown Trolley usually runs during Yorktown Day, which makes parking a lot less painful. Read more about it here: Ride the Yorktown Trolley (FREE)

The full schedule of ceremonies, parade step-off time and any road closures will be updated for weather and any other concerns – make sure to check links for updates before you go!

For more information and updates on events: Yorktown Events