Twilight Tattoo

History through the eyes
of the American Soldier

IMPORANT MESSAGE FOR TWILIGHT TATTOO SHOW ATTENDEES

Please see the following update to entering Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Due to increased security measures all NON-DoD ID holders over the age of 18 must pre-register on https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh/ to gain base access. 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 at Hatfield Gate. 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.

All NON-DoD ID holders must enter Hatfield Gate, which is located on the Myer Campus at the intersection of 2nd Street South at Route 27 (Washington Boulevard). We will no longer have Henry Gate open for those walking or to be dropped off via rideshare. ALL NON-DOD ID HOLDERS 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 are 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to speak with a Visitor Control Center (VCC) specialist to ascertain what documentation or DoD escort you may need to enter the installation.

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 are 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., or visit https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/my-fort/all-services/access-gate-info

If all members of your party have a DoD ID, we recommend you use the following gates due to an expected delay at Hatfield Gate due to the new security measures:

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 DoD 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 DoD ID card holders. Hours of operation: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

We do expect delays while entering for Twilight Tattoo so please plan accordingly. Our security checkpoint at Summerall Field will not open until 5:30 p.m. Please do not arrive any earlier than that.

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

When and where do performances take place?
Twilight Tattoo is presented May-July on Wednesday evenings on Summerall Field on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. Check out our SCHEDULE PAGE, select the date you would like to attend and register through Eventbrite.
Who is invited?
This event is free of cost and open to the public.
How do I get to Joint-Base Myer Henderson Hall
Walking and Rideshare drop-off instructions:

Please note all adults 18+ will need to provide valid identification to enter.

Please do not plan to arrive prior to 5 p.m.

Those taking rideshares or taxis should plan to be dropped off outside of Henry Gate and enter as pedestrians.

Pedestrians may access Fort Myer only at the Henry Gate, which is at the intersection of N. Pershing Drive and Arlington Blvd. (Route 50)

Total distance from Courthouse Metro to Henry Gate is approximately .8 miles.

Henry Gate will open temporarily during Twilight Tattoo performances each Wednesday so that pedestrians/rideshare people can access the installation to attend the show.

Map of Walking Directions
- Map of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
- From Courthouse Metro Station
Driving Directions
- Please note all adults 18+ will need to provide valid identification to enter.
- Please do not plan to arrive prior to 5 p.m.
- Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., is located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.
- Non-DoD ID cardholders and all Twilight Tattoo traffic should plan to enter at Hatfield Gate on Washington Blvd. at South 2nd Street -- Main gate, open at all times. The address for Hatfield Gate is 2nd St. S, Fort Myer, VA, 22211.
FROM THE SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 95:
- Inside the Capital Beltway, 1-95 becomes 1-395. Proceed north toward Washington.
- Take Exit 8A (7 miles inside the Beltway), marked "Washington Blvd., Route 27." Bear left on the ramp, following the signs.
- Exit Washington Blvd. to the right at the exit marked "Fort Myer Only."
FROM THE WEST ON INTERSTATE 66:
- Proceed on 1-66 inside the Capital Beltway.
- Take exit 64A "Route 495."
- Exit onto Route 50.
- Exit Route 50 onto 2nd St. S., continue to Fort Myer's Hatfield Gate.
FROM THE NORTH ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY (I-495):
- From I-495, take exit 43-44 for VA-193/George Washington Memorial Parkway/Georgetown Pike toward Great Falls Virginia/Langley/Washington.
- Take exit 43 for George Washington Memorial Parkway toward Washington.
- Merge onto George Washington Memorial Parkway.
- Take the exit toward 1-395 N/Lyndon B. Johnson/Memorial Grove/Pentagon. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-395 S and merge onto S. Washington Blvd/Route 27.
- Merge onto S. Washington Blvd., then take the exit toward Fort Myer's Hatfield Gate.
FROM D.C.:
- Take 1-395 out of the city and into Virginia.
- Pass the Pentagon and take Exit 8A for Washington Blvd.
- Proceed on Washington Blvd and take exit marked "Fort Myer Only" on the right.
What should I wear?
- Check the weather the day of the performance and dress comfortable. Washington, DC area summers tend to be hot so dress accordingly to be comfortable in the heat.
- More details on our Schedule page about inclement of weather policy.
Can I buy food and drink at the event?
There will not be food or drink available for purchase. You may bring food and bottled water, but please be prepared to clean up after yourself.
Do I need to register my large group?
Yes, please register through Eventbrite by selecting the “Group” registration feature. Check out the entire schedule for Twilight Tattoo on Eventbrite.
What if there is bad weather?
- Twilight Tattoo performances may be moved or cancelled due to inclement weather, and that decision will be made by 10 a.m. on the day of the show.
- When the show is moved indoors, it will be held in Conmy Hall (Bldg. 241) on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. This building is located across the street from Summerall Field and has limited seating.
- For the official inclement weather decision, please call 202-685-2888, or visit Facebook, Twitter or check back here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once our projected audience numbers reach the potential indoor seating capacity, we will inform those making group reservations about possible seating limitations should we encounter an inclement weather decision.

Please bring water to stay hydrated as the summer months of DC area weather are typically very hot and humid!
Can I bring my pet?
No pets are allowed.
What are the seating options?
- Bleacher seating is available on first-come, first-served basis. Grass seating is also available and we recommend you bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
- Please e-mail us if you are a person with a disability and to make reasonable accommodations for seating.
Can I take pictures and meet the soldiers?
Twilight Tattoo offers many opportunities to capture photo and video. We encourage you to take pictures of our Soldiers before, during and after performances and share your images on your social media using the hashtag #TwilightTattoo.

MORE PHOTOS

We have deliberately taken some of our webpages and content offline in order to comply with Executive Orders and OSD Policy. The intent is to preserve our history, and we are working to re-publish content as soon as possible.

Twilight Tattoo

History through the eyes of the American Soldier

Schedule and Ticket Info

Participating Units

Twilight Tattoo History

Walking and Rideshare drop-off instructions:

Map of Walking Directions

Driving Directions

History through the eyes
of the American Soldier