Visits to the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site are free but do require a ticket. Tickets can be reserved online through Ticketmaster here. For information on theatre performances, click here.

The site is open for tours beginning at 9 a.m. daily (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Final entry into the museum is at 4 p.m. Final entry into the theatre is at 4:30 p.m. Final entry into the Petersen House is at 5 p.m.

Tickets are currently available through August 31. Tickets for September-December 2010 will be available beginning July 26, 2010. Ford’s Theatre is a working professional theatre, and there will be occasions when visitors will not be able to enter the theatre or museum due to rehearsals, set load-ins and matinee performances. Please see the Closings section below for more details.

The schedule for daytime programming varies from day to day. Please click the links below to check the schedule for the day you wish to visit.

July Timed Entry Schedule
August Timed Entry Schedule
September Timed Entry Schedule (Available July 26, 2010)
October Timed Entry Schedule (Available July 26, 2010)
November Timed Entry Schedule (Available July 26, 2010)
December Timed Entry Schedule (Available July 26, 2010)

Programming
A visit to Ford’s Theatre typically includes a presentation by either the National Park Service or Ford’s Theatre Society. The National Park Service presentations offer an interpretive talk by a Park Ranger about Ford’s Theatre and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Ford’s Theatre Society programming includes a one-act play titled One Destiny, which tells of the events of April 14, 1865, through the eyes of Harry Ford and Harry Hawk, two men who were present the day of Lincoln’s assassination.

Both programs last approximately 30 minutes. Following the presentation, visitors proceed across the street to the Petersen House (available through late 2010)*. Visitors to the historic site may choose to begin their visit by walking through the museum. Please note that not all entry times include museum entry, so visitors are urged to check the timed entry schedule.

Acoustiguide
Beginning September 13, 2010, Ford's Theatre will offer an audio tour featuring additional stories, character voices, sound effects and historic photos, providing patrons with an in-depth look at the history of Ford’s Theatre. Ford’s Theatre provides both adult and kid (age 8-12) versions. Acoustiguides can be reserved in advance by calling Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or online when you reserve your timed entry tickets. They can also be reserved in person at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office when you arrive for your visit. Acoustiguides are $5 for individuals, plus any Ticketmaster service charges.

Day-Of Tickets
The Ford's Theatre Box Office opens at 8:30 a.m. for distribution of free same-day, timed tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals are limited to six tickets per person for same-day tickets.

Advance Individual Tickets:
Advance tickets are available for visitors wishing to reserve a specific time for their visit. A convenience fee of $1.50 per ticket is charged for advance tickets; beginning September 1, 2010, the convenience fee will be $2.50. No exchanges or refunds. Online and phone ticket sales are handled through Ticketmaster (additional Ticketmaster fees apply). No telephone orders will be accepted for single ticket orders through the Ford’s Theatre Box Office.

To reserve individual advance tickets, click here or call (202) 397-SEAT. Visitors are urged to consult the timed entry schedule before making a reservation to ensure the type of presentation they desire.

Advance Group tickets:
Groups of 20 or more can reserve advance tickets by calling the group sales office at Ford’s Theatre or by reserving tickets online through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster fees will apply). Group tickets are available at a discounted convenience fee of $1.25 per ticket. Payment is due in full at time of reservation.

Click here to buy advance group tickets or call (202) 638-2367 or (800) 899-2367.

Introduction to Field Trips at Ford’s [PDF]
Ford’s Theatre and Target have teamed up to provide “Target Field Trips to Ford’s Theatre,” a program that provides free bus transportation for qualifying D.C.-metro area schools to visit Ford’s Theatre. To learn more about the program and how your school might qualify please contact education@fords.org or call (202) 638-2941 ext. 567.

"Target Field Trips to Ford’s Theatre" Sponsored by Target Corporation

Closings:
Ford’s Theatre is a working professional theatre, and there will be occasions when visitors will not be able to enter the theatre or museum due to rehearsals, set load-ins and matinee performances. Additionally, there may be occasions when the theatre or museum will need to close unexpectedly. Management will take precaution to avoid these situations, but in the event of an unscheduled closing, every effort will be made to exchange those tickets for a different time. Should no exchange be reasonably possible, a refund will be issued in the same method of your payment; cash will be issued as a check. The Ticketmaster service charges will not be refunded. Every effort will be made to announce the schedule adjustments on the website and at the venue.

Hours:
The Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site is open year-round, including weekends and holidays. The site is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Additionally, if the Federal Government should close due to inclement weather, the site may close as well.

The lobby to the theatre opens at 8:30 a.m. every morning and entry to the site begins at 9 a.m. Final entry into the museum is at 4 p.m., final entry into the theatre is 4:30 p.m., and final entry into the Petersen House is at 5 p.m. Following a visit to the museum, guests have approximately 15 minutes to take photographs and be seated in the theatre. When scheduled, a presentation, given by either the National Park Service or Ford’s Theatre Society, will last about 30 minutes. After the presentation, the visitors will exit the building through the main theatre doors and will be directed across the street to the Petersen House (available through late 2010)*. There will be no reentry to the theatre or museum after the presentation.

Tour operators are encouraged to bring their groups early to visit the new gift shop located in the lobby.

For questions on the new timed entry visitation at Ford's Theatre, please email visit@fords.org.

*Beginning in late 2010, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a major rehabilitative project on the Petersen House (the House where President Lincoln Died), resulting in a temporary closure of the house. During this closure, patrons will not be able to visit the house.

Ford’s Theatre Gift Shop
The Ford’s Theatre Gift Shop carries books, apparel and memorabilia. The shop is open during the day and before performances. You can also shop online.