Ford’s Theatre honors Lincoln’s legacy with world-class productions, immersive exhibits and unforgettable group experiences.
Few places in America carry the weight of history quite like Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. On April 14, 1865, the nation was forever changed when President Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth while attending a performance of Our American Cousin.
More than 150 years later, Ford’s Theatre remains both a living stage and a powerful national landmark. Today, it operates as a working theater, museum, and education center, dedicated to preserving Lincoln’s legacy and examining the impact of that tragic night.
Visitors can step inside the historic site on a self-guided tour, exploring exhibits that trace Lincoln’s presidency, his assassination, and the events that shaped the country in its aftermath. Open daily, Ford’s Theatre invites travelers to experience history where it happened—blending performance, remembrance, and education in one unforgettable destination.
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2026 Shows at Ford’s Theatre
Ford’s is the must-book experience of D.C.’s America 250 season in 2026, with a variety of must-see performances. Here are some of its shows that will take place at the end of 2025 and into 2026:
1776
- This popular American musical is an insightful, vibrant and humorous take on our founding fathers’ determination to do the right thing for their fledgling nation. As members of the Second Continental Congress struggle to reach consensus, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson argue for independence from the British monarchy. The ensuing debates defined our country. As we explore this historical moment through the evolving identity of America today, this robust, award-winning musical boldly brings our country’s beginnings to blazing life. (March 13, 2026—May 16, 2026)
A Christmas Carol–2025
- Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. (November 20, 2025–December 31, 2025)
Exclusive Announcement–Come From Away-2026
- The Tony Award–winning musical Come From Away returns to Ford’s Theatre (Fall 2026) for a special engagement in honor of the 25th commemoration of 9/11, bringing the remarkable story back to the stage where it first found an audience. Originally developed and premiered at Ford’s in 2015 before going on to Broadway acclaim, Come From Away tells the true story of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed thousands of stranded passengers after the events of September 11, 2001. With its themes of compassion, resilience and community, the production has touched audiences around the world, and its anniversary return to Ford’s offers a memorable group travel experience. (September–October, 2026)
- For more information on shows, visit: https://fords.org/whats-happening/2025-2026-season/
- For group information, visit: fords.org/visit-us/group-visits/
Interactive Experiences for Tour Groups
Ford’s Theatre offers a number of more intimate and interactive experiences. Starting in Spring 2026, performances of One Destiny, Ford’s one-act play that revisits the events of Aprill 14, 1865, are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays as part of select morning historic site visit entries. This 40-minute performance explores the key facts of the assassination while capturing the emotions of that fateful night. Tour groups are also invited to take part in History on Foot, a walking tour that will bring to life Detective James McDevitt’s investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy.
Interactive Exhibits at Ford’s Theatre
In the museum, you can view exhibits that follow Abraham Lincoln from the beginning of his presidency to the moments leading up to his assassination. Learn about his life in the White House, the struggles he faced during the Civil War, and his meetings with abolitionist Frederick Douglass. You will also learn about actor John Wilkes Booth, the roots of his hatred toward Lincoln, and the group of people who joined his conspiracy to dismantle the United States government. The museum features artifacts related to the assassination, including the weapons Booth used.
The gun John Wilkes Booth used to change American history was a .44-caliber pistol made by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia. After the assassination, theatre patron William T. Kent found the pistol on the floor of the Presidential Box and turned it over to investigators. After its use as evidence in the conspirators’ trial in May and June of 1865, the War Department stored away the grim relic. The War Department turned the pistol over to the National Park Service. It has been on public display since 1942.
If you would like to reserve for a group of 10 or more, please emailgroups@fords.org for availability.
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Contact info:
J.R. Watson
owatson@fords.org
