Experience history come alive at the Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site 160th anniversary program March 15-16. Thousands of living historians from across the country will descend on Bentonville Battlefield for one of the nation’s largest battle reenactments.
Advanced tickets to view the daily battle reenactments are now on sale. In addition to the daily ticketed battles, spend the day exploring a host of free activities: inspect the soldier’s camps, smell period cooking, listen to lectures, tour the Harper house, learn about 19th-century medicine, shop the dozens of “sutlers” — vendors selling Civil War related items — or just relax while listening to period music. Bring the family and enjoy a day with us at Bentonville Battlefield. Concessions will be provided by numerous food truck vendors.
In 2015, about 60,000 visitors attended the two-day event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle. Visitors are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets well in advance of the event. Advanced tickets are $15. A discounted weekend pass is also available for $25 during advanced sales only. Tickets purchased day-of on site are $20 per day. Children aged 10 and under receive free admission.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.bentonvillereenactment.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Bentonville Battlefield or by calling (910) 594-0789.
We encourage the public to arrive early to avoid traffic delays. Also, bring blankets or chairs to watch the battles. Spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The reenactment field will be divided into three general admission sections: front rows for sitting on the ground, middle rows for sitting in chairs, and back rows for standing. The battles begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, with the reenactment field opening two hours beforehand each day.
The 2025 event is sponsored by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield, Inc., the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. All proceeds from the event support Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site.
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, involved 80,000 troops in one of the last major actions of the war. A patched together Confederate army under the command of Joseph Johnston failed to halt Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s advance through eastern North Carolina, eventually leading to the largest Confederate surrender of the war at Bennett Place near Durham weeks later.
Bentonville Battlefield is located at 5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, N.C. 27524, three miles north of Newton Grove on S.R. 1008, about one hour from Raleigh and about 45 minutes from Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi/bentonvi.htm or call (910) 594-0789.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.