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Twilight Tattoo

History through the eyes
of the American Soldier

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR TWILIGHT TATTOO SHOW ATTENDEES - Thursday, April 23, 2026

Due to increased security measures, all NON-DoW ID holders over the age of 18 who plan to attend one of our Twilight Tattoo shows this year must pre-register to gain access to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Registration must be completed no later than 48 hours prior to arrival, but no earlier than 14 days from the Twilight Tattoo you are attending. Visit our Twilight Tattoo Schedule webpage to find the registration link for each show: https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/Ceremonies-Events/Events/Twilight-Tattoo/Schedule/
 

For those unable to register via the link you may still visit us for Twilight Tattoo but will be required to go through a screening upon arrival. For this screening you must have a REAL ID or two forms of government ID. Without this, you may not be able to access the base. For more information about REAL ID, visit: https://www.tsa.gov/realid

For any questions regarding entrance and/or registration please reach out to the JBMHH Visitor Control Center at 703-696-0186 or 703-696-0189. Hours of operations 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. or visit https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/my-fort/all-services/access-gate-info 

Gate Access Information: 
 

Non-DoW ID Holders 

All NON-DoW ID holders arriving by personal vehicle or bus may enter through the following gates:

  • Hatfield Gate: Located on the Myer Campus at the intersection of 2nd Street South at Route 27 (Washington Boulevard). 
  • Wright Gate: Wright Gate is located on the Myer Campus at Marshall Drive and North Meade Street, off Route 110. It may be accessed by DoW card holders. Hours of operation: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. 
  • Henry Gate will be closed to pedestrians, metro riders and rideshare dropoffs. ALL NON-DOW ID HOLDERS WALKING OR VIA RIDESHARE MUST ENTER AT HATFIELD GATE. The walk from Hatfield to Summerall Field is approximately 1 mile. 

If you are a foreign national attending Twilight Tattoo, please reach out to the Visitor Control Center at 703-696-0186 or 703-696-0189. Hours of operations 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to speak with a to speak with a Visitor Control Center (VCC) specialist to ascertain what documentation or DoW escort you may need to enter the installation. We recommend all foreign nationals attending Twilight Tattoo submit for approval no later than 14 days prior to the event. 

For any questions regarding entrance and/or registration please reach out to the Visitor Control Center at 703-696-0186 or 703-696-0189. Hours of operations 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. or visit https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/my-fort/all-services/access-gate-info 
 

DoW ID Card Holders 

If you are a DoW ID Card Holder (Active, Reserves, National Guard, Dependents, Retirees, DoW Civilians and contractors, and some Veterans) you may access Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall through the following gates:

  • Wright Gate: Wright Gate is located on the Myer Campus at Marshall Drive and North Meade Street, off Route 110. It may be accessed by DoW card holders. Hours of operation: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. 
  • Henderson Hall: Henderson Hall Main Gate is located at South Orme Street and Southgate Road and is accessible to DoW ID card holders. Hours of operation: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. 
  • Hatfield Gate: Located on the Myer Campus at the intersection of 2nd Street South at Route 27 (Washington Boulevard). 

All members of your party 18+ must have a DoW ID to access the Henderson Hall Gate.  

 We do expect delays while entering Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall for Twilight Tattoo so please plan accordingly. Our security checkpoint at Summerall Field will not open until 5:30 p.m. You will not be able to be seated prior to 5:30 p.m. so please do not arrive at Summerall Field any earlier than that. 
 

PARKING

Buses: Buses will follow signage for bus drop-off and parking. 

Personal Vehicle: If you are arriving via personal vehicle please park in the Tri-Services Parking Lot located on McNair Road across from the Fort Myer Dining Facility. Please use the following address to guide you to the lot: 404 McNair Rd, Fort Myer, VA 22211. 

Accessible Parking: If you need accessible parking and seating, please email our team at usarmymdw@army.mil to coordinate.  

 

Twilight Tattoo: A Live Military Experience

The U.S. Army’s Twilight Tattoo is an action-packed live military event featuring Soldiers from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington’s ceremonial units, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own."

The show features performances by The U.S. Army Blues, The U.S. Army Band Downrange, The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and The U.S. Army Drill Team. Twilight Tattoo is appropriate for school-age children and enjoyed by all ages! Learn more about the participating units and Twilight Tattoo history.

Schedule and Ticket Info

Several Soldiers wearing Revolutionary War-ear dark blue uniforms are running with rifles in hand. The rifles have bayonets affixed to them.

Participating Units

Soldiers dressed in dark ceremonial uniforms (dark coats with gold buttons, dark wheel hats and white gloves) are tossing rifles into the air. The rifles have silver bayonets affixed.

Twilight Tattoo History

Three people (one woman and two men) are wearing Civil War-era clothing (the men are wearing Union Army uniforms, the woman is in a dark jack and skirt with dark hat), while delivering a dramatic presentation at an event on a green lawn.
FAQs
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