Memorial Day holiday weekend events in the DC area
A solemn holiday to honor those who died fighting for the U.S. armed forces, Memorial Day weekend brings events and celebrations across the D.C. area. Here’s what you need to know.
Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer, which means many area swimming pools are starting to open.
DC
See the Poppy Wall of Honor at the National Mall, a tribute to the more than 600,000 U.S. service members who have been lost since World War I. The wall is open Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The National Memorial Day Concert takes place Sunday, May 26, on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert starts at 8 p.m. but gates typically open at 5 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary. For those wanting to get a sneak peek, the dress rehearsal for the concert takes place Saturday, May 25, with gates opening around 5 p.m. For information on the concert, visit its FAQ page.
In addition to bands from different branches of service and regular mainstay Memorial Day Concert performers Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, actors Bryan Cranston and Cynthia Erivo will be performing, too. See the full lineup on the PBS website. Can’t make it to D.C.? PBS will air the concert live on Sunday.
The National Memorial Day Concert at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. is a free concert but you need tickets. Listen to classic American patriotic tunes sung by 200 singers accompanied by the U.S. Air Force Band.
On Memorial Day Monday, catch the National Memorial Day Parade starting at 2 p.m. The parade is hosted by actor-comedians Anthony Anderson and Drew Carey. Anywhere along the parade route on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets NW offers a view of the spectacle. For information on the schedule, including how to get there, visit the parade website. The event is free and no tickets are required.
Maryland
Join the U.S. Air Force Band for “A Salute to Service: Honoring American’s Heroes” on Sunday, May 26, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Harbor theater.
Rockville will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade on Monday starting at 9 a.m., featuring military and community groups, marching units, dance troupes and more at the Rockville Town Center.
The City of Bowie holds its annual Memorial Day Parade on Saturday. Get stoked for some marching bands, performing groups and floats! The parade starts at the Belair Annex at 11 a.m. and marches through Belair Drive toward Sussex Lane and Stonybrook Drive.
Virginia
Place a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Flowers of Remembrance, which takes place Sunday, May 26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. The event will include a lecture with a historian and an optional walking tour.
The annual Ride of the Patriots starts early Sunday, May 26, at 6:30 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. The Ride of the Patriots to Rolling to Remember begins with a pancake breakfast and opening ceremony at the Patriot Harley-Davidson west of Fairfax Circle on Fairfax Boulevard. The escorted ride starts at 9 a.m. and will roll on to the Pentagon and then to D.C.
On Monday, the City of Falls Church is holding its 42nd Annual Memorial Day Parade and Festival packed with a full day of fun, food and festivities, including a 3K Fun Run, a keynote speaker, blood drive and parade on Park Avenue.
The National Museum of the Army in Fort Belvoir has a full weekend of activities starting Friday. There will be an outdoor flag display and a poppy paper flower craft station. On Monday, a moment of silence will be observed at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. In the afternoon, the documentary “They Don’t Die Twice” about the Normandy invasion will be screened.