Skip to global NPS navigation
Skip to the main content
Skip to the footer section




National Park Service Search Search
This Site
All NPS
 Open
Menu
Close
Menu
Explore This Park
Explore the National Park Service


Exiting nps.gov
  Cancel


Contact Us
  Return to Previous Page
 Thing to Do
Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park Individual luminaries sit in front of hundreds of graves in the rolling hills of a cemetery.Reflect on the lives of those who died in service to this nation at the luminaria.
NPS Photo *The Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria is an annual event featuring over 15,000 lanterns in the cemetery – one for each soldier buried in the cemetery grounds. This event takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. The luminaria honors soldiers who have died in the service of this country.* **Saturday, May 25, 2024** **8 pm - 11 pm** ***Note: Our staff is working on planning the luminaria event and details are subject to change.*** Where The cemetery is located at the intersection of Sunken Road and Lafayette Boulevard.
Attendees may park at the University of Mary Washington lot at the corner of William Street and Sunken Road. The Fredericksburg Trolley will provide free shuttle service between the parking area and the national cemetery.
Accessible parking for vehicles with state-issued accessible hangtags or license plates will be available in the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center lot at 1013 Lafayette Boulevard. About the Luminaria Join us for the 29th annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Visit the cemetery between 8 pm to 11 pm to experience the luminaria. This event is free to the public. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Sunday, May 26th.
During the luminaria, 15,300 candles brighten the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. Each candle represents a soldier buried in the cemetery and honors those who died in the service of this country. Throughout the evening a bugler will play “Taps” every 30 minutes as park staff posted throughout the cemetery relate stories about some of the soldiers.
The Fredericksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866 and remained open for military burials until 1945. It holds the remains of 15,243 soldiers, sailors and Marines, most of whom died during the Civil War. At least 85% of the graves are unidentified, resulting in over 12,770 unknowns. The annual luminaria has served as a poignant tribute to the fallen since 1996. Learn more about the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
This event would not be possible without the assistance of local Scouts, who volunteer to set up and light the luminarias.
A separate commemorative observation will be held at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th.*Please note that pets are not permitted in the cemetery.*
 Duration
30-120 Minutes
 Activity
Arts and Culture
 Pets Allowed
No
 Activity Fee
No
 Location
Fredericksburg National Cemetery
 
 Season
 Time of Day
Night, Dusk
 Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park Tags fredericksburg & spotsylvania national military park
civil war
memorial day
cemetery
national cemetery
fredericksburg and spotsylvania national military park
 
 Tags fredericksburg & spotsylvania national military park
civil war
memorial day
cemetery
national cemetery
fredericksburg and spotsylvania national military park
 Last updated: May 5, 2024


This Site
All NPS 
  National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
 Accessibility
Privacy Policy
FOIA
Notices
Contact The National Park Service NPS FAQ
No Fear Act
Disclaimer
Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
USA.gov Facebook
Youtube
Twitter
Instagram
Flickr