Knights Tower Tours
September 10 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
On September 10, 2026, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will celebrate the 63rd Anniversary of the Dedication of the Knights Tower Carillon. To mark this special occasion, the Basilica will once again provide an extraordinary opportunity to journey up the Tower and view our nation’s capital from a spectacular vantage point. Visitors will ascend the Tower’s elevator to the observation level, which offers amazing panoramic views of Washington, D.C.
This year, guests will also enjoy exclusive access to the Basilica’s South Gallery, where they can experience the magnificence of the Great Upper Church from a unique elevated perspective. From this space, visitors will also have an up-close look at the remarkable pipes of the South Organ.
Registration is now open: Sign up for a free tour.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time and check in at the registration area in the base of the Knights Tower, near the Chapel of Our Lady of Pompei and the Oratory of Mary, Queen of Ireland. If you arrive later than your scheduled tour time, accommodation on a later tour is on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be guaranteed.
General Information:
Visitors participating in this event must be able to climb 85 steps to reach the Tower’s Elevator. Visitors with mobility challenges are not advised to participate in this event. Participants with younger children should be aware that this experience involves stairs and may include waiting times of 10–25 minutes. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers and wheelchairs are not permitted, and storage is not available at the Basilica.
Use of the Tower’s elevator is required to ascend to the observation level. Visitors who experience claustrophobia, or any other condition which may be relevant to elevators or small spaces should not participate in this event. Parties may include up to 4 participants. Parties must not exceed 900 pounds.
Parking & Transportation:
The Basilica offers ample free parking and is within walking distance from the Brookland-CUA Station on Metro’s Red Line.
Prohibited Items:
Prohibited items cannot be stored. Please leave all prohibited items in your vehicle or at home.
Food and drink are not permitted.
Bags, suitcases, camera cases, large purses, and other bulky items are not permitted.
The use of tripods is not permitted, though photography is permitted.
Strollers, wheelchairs, and other assistive mobility equipment are not permitted.
