The United States was founded upon powerful ideals: freedom, equality, liberty, and representative government. 250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence boldly declared the birth of a new age of freedom, asserting that “All men are created equal.”
Yet, the United States failed to be what it imagined itself to be. Enslavement persisted. Women were denied political and legal equality. Native nations were displaced and brutalized. People without wealth, status, or social power were routinely excluded from the country’s promises.
Over time, America’s true form emerged and it was shaped by Americans who refused to accept these inequities. Across generations, activists, agitators, freedom seekers, reformers, and ordinary individuals pushed the nation closer to the ideals it claimed to represent.
In recognition and celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and brought to life by Congressional Cemetery’s interred residents, Soul Strolls: Becoming America explores this contested space between ideals and reality. Through the stories of those who came before, visitors will consider not only the values of America’s founding, but how generations of people have embodied what America truly is.
Our annual lantern-lit twilight tours bring the cemetery’s history to life through immersive performances by costumed interpreters. Journey through the grounds after dark, encounter Congressional Cemetery’s interred residents, and discover the lives and legacies that helped shape the nation.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early before their scheduled tour to enjoy live music, refreshments, and the atmosphere of an October evening in the cemetery. We plan to have a food truck available each evening, along with drinks and other refreshments for purchase.
Attendee costumes are welcomed and encouraged!
Public Sale Opens: August 24th at 5:00 pm.
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Details:
Soul Strolls take place over 6 nights, October 16-17, October 23-24, and October 30-31. Hour-long tours depart every 10 minutes. The major change to Soul Strolls 2026 is our new tour queue system. When purchasing your ticket, you will select a tour queue time. The time on your ticket is the time by which you must be checked in and standing in the tour queue. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to your tour queue time to enjoy live music, thematic cocktails, and the ambiance of an evening in the cemetery. Visit our ticketing page for detailed information on our new ticket system, tours, and more. Costumes are encouraged and welcomed from attendees!
Standard Tour Experience
Standard Soul Strolls tickets include:
- A guided lantern-lit tour through Congressional Cemetery
- Immersive theatrical performances by costumed interpreters
- Access to the event grounds before and after the tour
- Live music and thematic décor
- The opportunity to purchase food, drinks, refreshments, and merchandise
VIP Tour Experience
Enjoy Soul Strolls with a smaller group and a few special additions. VIP tickets include:
- A smaller, more intimate tour group
- A Soul Strolls swag bag
- One complimentary drink ticket
- An exclusive additional performance available only to VIP guests
- Everything included with a standard Soul Strolls ticket
Mobility-Accessible Tour
For the first time, Soul Strolls will offer a specially designed Mobility-Accessible Tour option.
This tour will:
- Follow a shorter route
- Remain on paved paths
- Avoid the grassy and uneven portions of the standard route
- Provide a more wheelchair-friendly Soul Strolls experience
ASL-Interpreted Tours
Select Soul Strolls tours will include tours with a complimentary American Sign Language interpreter.
An ASL interpreter will accompany the group throughout the tour and interpret the guide’s remarks and character performances. Guests requiring interpretation should purchase one of the specifically designated ASL Tour tickets.
Family-Friendly Tours
Select tours will be specially adapted for families and younger audiences.
These performances will retain the evening’s history and theatrical atmosphere while moderating some of the production’s more intense language and descriptions. Family-friendly tours should be considered approximately PG-rated.
Parents and guardians should still review the content advisory below when deciding whether the program is appropriate for their children. Soul Strolls is a historical theatrical experience, not a haunted attraction, but it discusses mature events from American history. Visit our ticketing page for more information about themes and content.
Food and Refreshments
We plan to have a food truck available each evening of Soul Strolls. Drinks and additional refreshments will also be available for purchase.
Food-truck participation and menu offerings may vary by evening and are subject to change. Guests should plan to arrive approximately 30 minutes before their estimated tour time if they would like to purchase food or enjoy the event grounds before joining the tour queue.
Soul Strolls is a rain-or-shine event
Supporting Congressional Cemetery
Soul Strolls may be a spirited evening in the cemetery, but it is also one of Congressional Cemetery’s most important annual fundraising programs.
Congressional Cemetery is operated by a nonprofit organization, the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery. Proceeds from Soul Strolls support our mission, programs, preservation work, and stewardship of this extraordinary historic landscape.
Questions about Soul Strolls? Please email staff@congressionalcemetery.org.
