Civil War reenactors representing the Union fire cannons during the annual Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day history demonstration on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Spectators look skyward while others cover their ears as cannons create sparks and noise during the Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day Civil War reenactment on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Central Park. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Civil War reenactors with Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, rest at camp during the annual Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day history demonstration on
Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Union soldiers take position as they get ready to battle the Confederacy during the annual Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day history demonstration at Central Park on
Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A color bearer carries the flag into the battlefield during the Huntington Beach Historical Society Civil War reenactment at Central Park on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Confederate soldiers point their guns at fighters with the Union during the annual Huntington Beach Historical Society’s Labor Day history demonstration on
Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Union soldier is a casualty of war against the South during a Civil War reenactment at the Huntington Beach Historical Society’s Labor Day history demonstration on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Civil War reenactor Doug Carroll, a major with the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, gets ready to fight against the South during the Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day history demonstration on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Civil War reenactors representing the Union fire cannons during the annual Huntington Beach Historical Society Labor Day history demonstration on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Volunteer reenactors are bringing the Civil War to life this weekend in Huntington Beach, activities continue Sunday.
The Huntington Beach Historical Society has been hosting the living history lesson over Labor Day weekend for years and it remains a free event for families.
New programs to the schedule this year touch on the “naval theater of war,” the people of color who fought and the logistics and engineering of the era.
See what life was like in a Civil War-era soldiers’ camp, learn about female spies and study Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s plans, among other activities — check online for the schedule.
There will be an artillery demonstration and two battle reenactments. At 2:30 p.m., an actor portraying President Abraham Lincoln will give the Gettysburg Address.
If you go
When: Starts with a 9 a.m. church service; the first battle is at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m. The last activity is at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Huntington Beach Central Park, behind the library
Cost: Free
Information: hbhistory.org/civilwar