World War II Days Returns for 2024!

Our iconic World War II re-enactment is finally here! Plan to join us on Saturday, September 28 - Sunday, September 29.

Visitors to World War II Days engage in elaborate 1940s displays in historical buildings on the museum’s 148-acre campus, which becomes the back drop of a European village during World War II.

This military re-enactment is known to be the largest in the Midwest and draws thousands of visitors yearly to the Rockford region and the museum grounds.

Returning this year: Woods Skirmishes. Visitors have the option of purchasing advance tickets to the Woods Skirmishes during ticket checkout (see button below) by selecting the Woods Skirmish time you wish to attend. Via online ticketing, 125 slots are available for each Woods Skirmish time.

All World War II general admission tickets include Battles on the Main Battlefield at no extra charge (please note that Woods Skirmish tickets are sold separately to limit each Woods Skirmish audience to 250 for safety reasons). In addition, 125 tickets to each Woods Skirmish will be available to purchase on-site until they are gone. Please consider this option if no Woods Skirmish tickets are available at the time of our online booking. On-site Woods Skirmish tickets are available for purchase at a separate tent – see event map for location.

Costs:

$19 Adults

$12 Children (ages 5-12)

Children (ages 0-4) are Free

Veterans and Active Duty Personnel (ID Required) - $14.00

Woods Skirmish, Adult - $5

Woods Skirmish, Child - $3

Visitors do not need to purchase tickets in-advance. You may purchase your admission(s) upon arrival to the museum's special event gates along the east edge of the museum grounds (see signs on arrival). Parking is free for visitors to World War II Days.

Festivities include encampments of Allied and Axis troops in the Midway Village woods. World War II Days includes elaborate and realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and exciting pyrotechnic displays.

Uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Germany along with vintage tanks, half-tracks and other 1940s military vehicles make this a not-to-miss special event.

World War II Days Event Schedules

Saturday, September 28th, 10 am - 5 pm

10:00 am Open

10:30 am Lecture: D-Day: 24 Hours that Saved the World

11:00 am Woods Skirmish

11:00 am Gen. Patton Briefing

11:30 am Lecture: My Parents' Stories: Holocaust Survivors and Profiles in Women's Resistance During the Holocaust

11:30 am Music by Sweet Reminders

12:00 pm Woods Skirmish

1:00 pm Battle on Main Battlefield

2:30 pm Gen. Patton Briefing

2:30 pm Lecture: The Five Million Forgotten

2:30 pm Aerial Display - Scott & RC Flyers

3:00 pm Woods Skirmish

4:00 pm Battle on Main Battlefield

5:00 pm Close

Sunday, September 29th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

9:00 am Open

9:30 am Lecture: D-Day: 24 Hours that Saved the World

10:00 am Woods Skirmish

10:30 am Lecture: My Parents' Stories: Holocaust Survivors

and Profiles in Women's Resistance During the Holocaust

11:00 am Woods Skirmish

11:30 am Music by Sweet Reminders

12:00 pm Woods Skirmish

12:30 pm Lecture: The Five Million Forgotten

12:30 pm Aerial Display - Scott & RC Flyers

1:00 pm Gen. Patton Briefing

2:00 pm Battle on Main Battlefield

3:00 pm Close

This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.

More info here: https://midwayvillage.com/ww-2-days-2024.html

Questions? Call 815-397-9112. Get tickets at midwayvillage.com