Memorial Day 2025 Events Near You: Top Parades, Fireworks & Family Activities in Your City

Lead: Across the United States, communities large and small are finalizing Memorial Day 2025 events that honor fallen service members while also kicking off summer. Whether you’re searching “Memorial Day 2025 events near me,” “Memorial Day parades 2025,” or “things to do Memorial Day weekend 2025,” use the guide below to discover commemorations, family-friendly festivals, concerts and ways to pay tribute in every region. H2: National-Level Memorial Day 2025 Highlights • National Memorial Day Parade – Washington, D.C., Monday May 26, 2 p.m., Constitution Ave. NW; marching bands, Gold Star families and military units draw more than 250,000 spectators each year. • National Memorial Day Concert – Sunday May 25, 8 p.m., West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol; free lawn seating, live PBS broadcast and fireworks finale. • Arlington National Cemetery – Presidential wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 11 a.m. Monday; visitors encouraged to arrive early for security screening. H2: Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Events • New York City: Fleet Week ship tours all weekend, remembrance ceremony aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and Brooklyn, Queens & Staten Island parades Monday morning. • Boston: The Garden of Flags (37,000 flags on Boston Common) on display May 22-27; Memorial Day Parade steps off from Copley Square at noon Monday. • Philadelphia: Rolling Thunder “Ride for Freedom” on Sunday, plus the traditional flag-raising at Independence Hall Monday 10 a.m. H2: Southern Spotlights • Orlando & Central Florida: Clermont hosts the travelling Vietnam Memorial Wall May 23-27; Memorial Day service Monday 11 a.m. at Lakefront Park. • Raleigh-Durham, NC: Veterans Freedom Park remembrance Sunday 2 :30 p.m.; Cary’s Field of Flags visible all weekend. • Houston: “Flags for Fallen Vets” places 90,000 flags at Houston National Cemetery Saturday; Monday ceremony at 9 a.m. H2: Midwest Celebrations • Chicago: The city’s Memorial Day Parade marches down State Street from Lake to Van Buren Saturday May 24 at noon; wreath-laying at Daley Plaza 11 a.m. • Des Moines: Five local gatherings, including Iowa Veterans Cemetery ceremony 8 a.m. Monday and family festival at Gray’s Lake Park. • Detroit: 100-vehicle “Cruise for Heroes” on Woodward Sunday and Dearborn Memorial Day Parade Monday 9 a.m. H2: West Coast & Mountain West • San Francisco Bay Area: Presidio 21-gun salute and reading of the names Monday 10 :30 a.m.; USS Hornet remembrance in Alameda; free outdoor concerts in Golden Gate Park all weekend. • Los Angeles: USS Iowa Memorial Day Ceremony in San Pedro 10 a.m.; Run to Remember 5K at Dockweiler Beach Sunday. • Denver: “Colorado Remembers” at Veterans Memorial Park Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m. with flyover, resource fair and kids’ zone. H2: How to Find “Memorial Day 2025 Events Near Me” 1. Search your city or county parks & recreation calendar. 2. Check local VFW, American Legion and VA hospital websites; the VA maintains a nationwide list of observances. 3. Browse ticket platforms like Eventbrite for “Memorial Day weekend events” plus your zip code. 4. Use social media hashtags: #MemorialDay2025, #HonorTheFallen, #MemorialDayParade. 5. Confirm times 24 hours ahead; some ceremonies shift for severe weather. H2: Travel & Planning Tips • Public transit in major metros usually runs holiday schedules—plan around reduced service. • Many parades close downtown streets; rideshare pickup zones move to perimeter blocks. • Bring a small U.S. flag, sunscreen and reusable water bottle; glass containers are often banned. • Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time Monday by pausing for one minute of silence. H2: Weather Outlook & Safety Late-May temperatures vary by region; check hourly forecasts, wear layers and stay hydrated. Heat indices above 90°F are forecast for parts of the South, while coastal California expects morning fog and highs in the upper 60s. Closing From solemn wreath-layings to family festivals, thousands of Memorial Day 2025 events await. Use the listings above and the “near me” search tips to honor America’s fallen heroes while making meaningful memories this holiday weekend.