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Living History Weekend 2024
March 23 & 24, 2024
One Day Tickets (Cash price)
$25 Adults, $10 Kids (5-17), Under 5 free
Two Day Tickets
$40 Adults, $17.50 Kids, Under 5 free (Cash price)
Speed through the line by purchasing admission tickets online!
Early-Bird Promotion for First 500 Online Tickets
Buy an early bird ticket and be entered for a chance for a FREE Tank Ride, Fire a 75mm Howitzer or fire a Paintball Machine Gun!
If you do not want to rely on Lady Luck, the first four Tank ride times on both Saturday and Sunday are available for pre-purchase beginning March 1, 2024. All remaining ride times will be sold first come the day of the event!
Living History Weekend is a ‘Special Event day’
regular admission prices are not valid
Information for Living Historians and Vendors – click below
Living Historian Information
Vendor Information
General Information for Public
The Museum of the American G.I.’s Living History Weekend is the largest event of its kind in Texas, with visitors from across the nation coming to view Living History Displays, shop in the Military Swap Meet, witness the roar of tanks in our WWII Battle reenactments, and watch on “Over the Top” WWI Trench battle! This family-friendly event is sure to have something for everyone!
There will be more battles, tank rides, and living history displays! Everyone will enjoy the free parking at Santa’s Wonderland’s new Blitzen Lot (no parking on site). Upon entering the museum property, you will ride in a WWII 2 1/2 ton CCKW or modern HUMVEE to the reenactment fields where all the activities will occur. You can start or end your day by browsing the militaria vendors to take home a small piece of history!
Come early and stay all day! You will not want to miss anything. Food vendors will be on-site to make sure no one goes hungry! On Saturday, you can eat your fill of Chick-fil-A. Then, on Sunday, everyone’s favorite Big Dawg Barbecue will be on-site so that you can get your BBQ fill. Of course, you will want to quench your thirst and cool off with Kona Ice!
WWI – Vietnam Era Battle Skirmishes and Vehicle and Living History Displays!
(times and activities are subject to change)
WWII Battle Skirmishes – Sat 11:30 AM & 4 PM, Sunday 2 PM
Experience battle up close! See an infantry advance and retreat. Hear the rumbles of engines, feel the vibrations of cannon fire, smell the smoke, and witness the power of these historic pieces of equipment! Sure to entertain and enrapture visitors of all ages!
WWI Battle Skirmish — Sat 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM, Sunday 11 AM
On April 6 1917, the US entered WWI. We will take you back in time as you watch a WWI trench battle between the American Expeditionary Force and the Imperial German Army
Narrated WWII Living History Displays
Take a stroll through the living history camps and learn about the daily lives of both Axis and Allied servicemen and women. See original or carefully reproduced equipment and uniforms. Our living historians are passionate about their roles, so most camp in the tents you see! Displays include WWI Salvation Army, General Patton’s Command Tent, Camp Lili (American Signal Corps Unit), US Infantry and Airborne Paratroopers camps, and German Infantry Camps.
Vietnam Skirmish – Saturday & Sunday 12:30 PM
Watch as our Living Historians demonstrate how forces were extracted during a firefight. After the demonstration, you will feel the heat of a flame thrower as our Living Historians explain and demonstrate this weapon\’s power.
Military Vehicle Rally
Military history buffs and gamers alike will marvel at the award-winning display of fully restored and operational military vehicles and artillery. The museum’s own impressive collection of WWII- Vietnam-era vehicles will be out for full display, with living historians available to talk about the vehicles, their operation, and their upkeep. Restoration enthusiasts from across the US will also be present to proudly display their own military vehicles!
Ride in a WWII Tank or WWII Half Track**! Click here for more information
Experience history from the turret of a WWII Tank or a historic Half-Track Personnel Carrier! Whether you’re a World of Tanks fan, a history buff, a military geek, or anything in between, this is definitely one to mark off your bucket list.
You can ride in a WWII Half-Track or a WWII tank – either a Sherman tank, M18 tank destroyer, Stuart tank, Chaffee tank, or an M8 HMC (cannot guarantee a ride in a specific tank). Each ride consists of one loop around the arena!
There are 12 ride times on Saturday and 9 times on Sunday, with 2 tanks and 1 half-track running during each ride time! Each tank will hold three riders, and the half-track between 8-10 (depending on the group\’s composition). Tank and half-track rides in the first 4 ride times are available for pre-purchase. All other Tank rides are sold at the information tent on the day of the event.
Tank Ride: $160 per person for a tank ride (Cash price listed – CC accepted with a convenience fee)
Half-Track Ride: $25 per person for a Half-Track Ride (Cash price listed – CC accepted with a convenience fee)
(Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
The Ride Price does NOT include the Living History Weekend entrance fee of $25 for Adults and $10 for Kids (5-17), payable at the gate or by pre-purchase.
All ride participants will be assigned a ride time slot at the time of the ticket purchase. All riders must purchase or pick up pre-purchased tickets at the information tent before going to the tank ride area. Riders should plan on arriving at the ride wait area 15 minutes before their ride for instructions.
Slots 1-4 will be available for purchase before the event. Pre-purchased tickets will be available for pickup at the Information Tent WILL CALL on the day of the event. All other slots will be available on a first-come basis during the event.
Ticket Sale for for Slots 1-4 for Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24 will be open February 28 at 10 AM!
**Health & Safety Regulations for ride participants: Safety is our number one priority for anyone who rides in our vehicles. Tank Ride participants must be at least 7 years or older, with a minimum height of 52 in and able to climb on and off the vehicle and in and out of the hatches unassisted. Tank Ride participants must have no underlying health conditions that would preclude riding in “off-road” conditions. All Tank Ride participants (or their legal guardians) must sign a hold-harmless agreement. The Museum of the American G.I. and its crew reserve the right to refuse any participant (tank ride or half-track ride) who they deem unfit or unsafe to themselves, other participants, or the crew. The ticket price will be refunded if the ride is canceled for safety reasons.
Artillery Range!
Shoot a Cannon
Feel the power of the museum’s WWI French 75mm Cannon! Visit the artillery range to shoot off one blank, experiencing the force of this amazing piece of artillery.
*$40/round (Tax deductible donation with proceeds going to maintaining the museum’s collection)
Shoot a Machine Gun (Paintball, that is!)
Visit the artillery range to fire a paintball-adapted machine gun for only $10 (cash)!
Schedule of Events (times and activities are subject to change)
SATURDAY – 10 AM to 5 PM
Reenactments and Special Demonstration
9:00 AM – Gates Open
10:30 AM – WWI Skirmish (WWI Arena)
11:30 AM – WWII Skirmish (WWII Arena)
12:30 PM – Vietnam Skirmish (WWII Arena)
2:30 PM – WWI Skirmish (WWI Arena)
4:00 PM – WWII Skirmish (WWII Arena)
Vehicle Rides and Trench Tours
10:00 – 11:15 AM – Tank and Half-Track Rides (WWII Arena)
11:30 – 1:30 PM – Trench Tours (WWI Arena)
1:15 – 2:45 PM – Tank and Half-Track Rides (WWII Arena)
3:30 – 5:00 PM – Trench Tours
4:45 PM – Tank Ride for Raffle Winners
SUNDAY – 10 AM to 3 PM
Reenactments and Special Demonstration
9:00 AM – Gates Open
11:00 AM – WWI Skirmish (WWI Arena)
12:30 PM – Vietnam Skirmish (WWII Arena)
2:00 PM – WWII Skirmish (WWII Arena)
Vehicle Rides and Trench Tours
10:00 – 12:15 PM – Tank and Half-Track Rides (WWII Arena)
11:30 – 1:30 PM – Trench Tours (WWI Arena)
3:00 PM – Tank Ride for Raffle Winners
The Living History program and vehicles listed to take part are subject to health and safety, operational, weather and mechanical considerations. The Museum of the American G.I. reserves the right to amend or modify the program or withdraw vehicles at any time without notification when reasonably required in accordance with its own best-practice procedures or those of exhibit owners. As with all historic machines, the appearance of any vehicle or tank in the arena display is subject to its mechanical reliability on the day.
First time visiting?
No. Only drones used for the exclusive purpose of the museum are allowed.
Yes! We love seeing your photographs of our events, and don’t forget to tag us on Facebook!
Please do not touch any displays unless you have the express permission of the living historian running the display. Much of the equipment our living historians use is original, and thus easily 70 years old or more. Please respect the equipment and leave it available for future generations.
No, unless you are at a photo station or a vehicle ride, otherwise you may not climb on or into any vehicles.
Yes, if they remain on a leash and are well behaved. We also ask that you clean up after their potty breaks, as no one likes tracking poop!
Yes, we simulate real gunfire and explosions, so there will be quite a bit of noise. We will have earplugs available for purchase at the site, but you may also wish to bring your own. Be especially aware that the noise may upset infants and young children.
Yes! We will have bleachers, though seating is very limited. You may bring a chair if you want, but be prepared to have to carry it for long walks.
You may purchase tickets at the gate with a credit card. Our gift shop and select stations also accept cards. Credit card purchases will have a small processing fee added. Cash, of course, is always welcome especially in the exact amount for the gate entry and special activities!
All of the History in Motion or Living History Weekend Event activities will be outside, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes that are suitable for walking on dirt and grass. We recommend a hat and sunscreen, and potentially a rain jacket or umbrella if rain is in the forecast. Don’t forget your camera for pictures and extra spending money!
We do our best to make our events as wheelchair-friendly as possible. History in Motion will be all outside on potentially uneven or muddy terrain (depending on the weather). All activities will be on a hill a short distance from the parking area, but we provide rides to and from this location to seniors, expectant or new mothers, and those with disabilities.
Yes! We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated, but please leave the alcohol at home. We do not recommend bringing large coolers, so make sure everything can fit in a purse, bag, or backpack. If you don’t want to carry around lots of items, we will be selling food and water at various locations all day.
Parking for the History in Motion Event is on-site. Parking for the Living History Weekend Event is at Santa’s Wonderland, make sure you park in their lot next to the museum. From there you can walk to the Museum’s gate.
