Experience the newly transformed Museum during the three-day reopening festival! Enjoy a dynamic schedule of family-friendly activities, musical entertainment, living history, and various giveaways (while supplies last), in addition to the Museum’s new and favorite exhibitions and displays. Open until 7 p.m. on Friday.

See an outline of the day's events below; the latest schedule information can be found at the Welcome Center or the first floor information desk.

SOUNDTRACK OF AMERICAN HISTORY

Delight in the variety of musical styles of our nation’s past. The 30-minute performances rotate and repeat during the day. 

Main Stage, 1 center

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Quintet brings alive the sound of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Friday: 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. Saturday: 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Federal City Brass Band performs authentic Civil War-era music on original, mid-19th century instruments. Friday only 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

LIVING HISTORY

Visitors may watch history come alive as actors present the stories behind the construction of the flag that became the Star-Spangled Banner, or student sit-ins during the 1960s, or hear an address by George Washington.

Broad Stripes and Bright Stars–Meet Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the flag that flew during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to the National Anthem. Help her assemble the flag and learn the story behind the creation of an icon. 2nd floor center, 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.

Join the Student Sit Ins–Meet a student activist and learn the non-violent tactics of the student sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement that began at a Woolworth’s department store in North Carolina. 30-minute performances. 2 East, Greensboro Lunch Counter, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

An Audience with President Washington–Hear an address by George Washington and ask questions of the first President of the United States. Flag Hall, 2 Center, 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Every day, shake hands and take your photo with historical characters across the centuries—First Ladies Abigail Adams and Martha Washington, Annie Oakley and Amelia Earhart, Dorothy Gale and R2D2, the soldiers of the Federal City and the Ft. McHenry Old Guard.

Friday only-Dorothy Gale from the National Touring Company of The Wizard of Oz will perform “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at 11:00 a.m. in Flag Hall.

GET YOUR HANDS ON HISTORY

Examine everyday objects for clues about the people who made and used them. Stop by an artifact cart to get a glimpse of soldiers’ lives, cotton gins, and a printing press. Carts and their locations vary daily.

Investigate the activities, lessons, and games on the new Smithsonian's History Explorer website via three interactive computer kiosks. These innovative resources for teaching and learning American history have been created just for parents, students, and teachers. Pick up a free History Explorer bracelet! 3 west.

Fire up your imagination at Spark!Lab. Kids and families can use fun activities to find out how they, too, can get the “invention bug” and put their creativity to use. Take home your own Spark!Lab souvenir, too. Spark!Lab, 1 West, 10 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Find out the various playful habits that underlie invention through family-friendly interactive and engaging activities in the exhibition Invention at Play. 1 West. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Assist the Ft. McHenry Honor Guard to properly fold a 30 x 42-foot replica of the 1814 flag and hear the story of the historic battle and the flag’s significance. Terrace. 12 p.m., 3 p.m., weather permitting.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Richard Carlin signs Worlds of Sound, his chronicle of four decades about the hugely influential Folkways Records. Main Store. Friday only, 2–4 p.m.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MUSEUM’S COLLECTIONS

Chat with our friendly and knowledgeable docents at significant objects and highlighted exhibition spaces throughout the weekend. Daily 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Go behind the scenes and meet the Museum’s curators in selected exhibitions. Talk about your favorite objects or displays with a staff member wearing the red “Ask me” button.

Lead your own tour through the Museum! See the highlights of the Museum’s famous collections. Pick up a guide at the Welcome Center or Welcome Desk.

FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Remember to smile when you get your photo snapped with R2D2 or George Washington. Then check out photographs taken during the festival by SI photographers and other visitors. Add your own to the slideshow! Visit our Flickr page.

TAKE A BREAK

Enjoy a menu of sandwiches, fruit, cookies, and cold drinks at the main Stars and Stripes Café on the lower level. Note that for our reopening weekend, the café will ONLY ACCEPT CASH. An ATM is available onsite.

Select a gift or souvenir inspired by the Star-Spangled Banner, an expanded line of jewelry, and a wonderful book selection. Dog tags, toys, note cards, T-shirts and other old favorites are also available in the brand-new Main Store (first floor).

For more information visit our Food and Stores page.

STAR-SPANGLED LIGHT MURALS

Thrill to the changing images of the Star-Spangled Banner and other national treasures illuminated on the Museum’s façades. Part of NightGallery DC, the four-story high video projections begin at “twilight’s last gleaming.” Mall Terrace. 5–10 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

TAKE HOME A (MINI) STAR-SPANGLED BANNER

Wear the 15-starred flag, symbol of the nation’s independence, with pride! See the volunteers stationed on the first floor for your own free souvenir of reopening weekend’s festivities.

The Museum will officially reopen to the public on the morning of Friday, Nov. 21, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first 1,814 visitors to the ribbon cutting and through the Museum doors will receive a special gift in honor of 1814, the year of the Battle of Baltimore when the Star-Spangled Banner waving at "dawn's early light" inspired Francis Scott Key to pen his famous lyrics.