Memorial Day Parade Near Me: 2025 Route Maps, Start Times & Traffic Alerts for Your City

With Memorial Day falling on Monday, May 26 in 2025, communities from coast to coast are finalizing parade routes, flyovers and wreath-laying ceremonies. If you’re typing “Memorial Day parade near me” into a search bar, start with these confirmed highlights and expert tips for finding the closest tribute to America’s fallen heroes. Washington, D.C. – The National Benchmark The National Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2 p.m. along Constitution Avenue, stretching from 7th to 17th Streets NW. Produced by the American Veterans Center, the televised march marks its 20th anniversary this year and features Gold Star families, historic military vehicles and musical salutes. Plan for road closures beginning at 10 a.m.; Metro riders should exit at Archives-Navy Memorial or Smithsonian for the quickest access. New York City – Queens’ Record-Setting Procession New York’s largest tribute isn’t in Manhattan but in Little Neck and Douglaston, Queens. The 97-year-old parade gathers at Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard and steps off at 2 p.m. sharp, drawing more than 10,000 marchers and spectators. Arrive before 1 p.m. to claim curb space; the Long Island Rail Road’s Little Neck station is a five-minute walk from the formation zone. Chicago – State Street Spectacle Chicago honors service members two days early, on Saturday, May 24. A wreath-laying ceremony at Richard J. Daley Plaza starts at 11 a.m., followed by the noon parade marching south on State Street from Lake to Van Buren. Expect large crowds around Harold Washington Library and peak CTA ridership between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Other Notable 2025 Parades • Atlanta: Downtown procession on Peachtree Street, 10 a.m. May 26 • Houston: “Roll Call” parade in The Woodlands Market Street, 9 a.m. May 26 • San Diego: Veterans Museum ceremony and parade in Balboa Park, 11 a.m. May 26 Three Ways to Locate a Parade Near You 1. Check municipal or county websites: Most city halls post updated road-closure maps and step-off times by mid-May. 2. Follow local VFW or American Legion posts on social media: Posts often list smaller neighborhood parades not advertised elsewhere. 3. Use mapping apps: Typing “Memorial Day parade” into Google Maps or Apple Maps the week of the holiday typically surfaces real-time route pins and estimated crowd sizes. Travel & Safety Tips • Public transit beats parking: Temporary “No Standing” zones line most parade routes, and towing is aggressively enforced. • Pack hydration and sunscreen: Average late-May temperatures range from the mid-70s in the Mid-Atlantic to the low-90s in Texas. • Observe etiquette: Remove hats during the National Anthem, stand for color guards and allow Gold Star families front-row viewing where possible. What If There’s Rain? Parades rarely cancel outright. Light rain generally means a delayed start, while severe weather may shift ceremonies indoors to civic centers or American Legion halls. Monitor city emergency alert systems and official social channels the morning of May 26 for last-minute changes. Can’t Attend in Person? The National Memorial Day Parade streams live on the American Forces Network and multiple social platforms. Local TV partners in Chicago, New York and other metros will also air coverage, making it easy to honor the nation’s fallen wherever you are. Bottom Line Whether you join the ranks lining Constitution Avenue, raise flags in Queens or salute along Chicago’s State Street, 2025 offers more ways than ever to pay tribute. Use the resources above, head out early and turn your “Memorial Day parade near me” search into a meaningful, in-person experience this holiday.