Memorial Day is nearly here, which means time spent with family, a three-day weekend, special events commemorating and honoring our troops, and the unofficial start of summer!
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite things happening around D.C. during Memorial Day weekend that you won’t want to miss.
Attend the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade
On Memorial Day (Monday, May 25th), the Freedom 250 National Memorial Day Parade will kick off with special performances and a ceremony at 9 am; the parade itself is slated to start promptly at 10 am.
If you aren’t able to attend the spectacle in person, you can still tune in for free by going to the American Veterans Center’s YouTube Channel or on TV, broadcast on most mainstream media networks.
The parade route is from the National Archives building towards the White House along Constitution Avenue.
Tune in to the National Memorial Day Concert
For over 35 years, PBS has hosted the National Memorial Day Concert, a televised event of remembrance and honor, right on the west lawn of the Capitol!
Filled with musical performances, documentary screenings, and touching dramatic readings, the National Concert is one of the largest events in the District each year.
This year, there will be appearances or performances by:
- Joe Mantegna
- Gary Sinise
- Noah Wyle
- Jonathan Banks
- The National Symphony Orchestra
- and so much more.
You can watch it on the Sunday before Memorial Day at 8:00 pm ET on PBS.
Get more info here.
Catch the Rolling to Remember motorcycle rally
This will be the 38th year of Rolling to Remember, a demonstration where thousands of veterans and patriots ride through the District to raise mental health awareness for Veterans and account for America’s POWs and MIAs.
The demonstration will take place on Sunday at 12 pm, but there are plenty of events taking place before and after.
Check the website for the event schedule and route map.
Pay your respects at the memorials along the National Mall
“America’s Front Yard” is the perfect place to spend Memorial Day and pay your respects.
On May 25th, you can see a thirty-minute tour of the World War II memorial at different times throughout the day, or you can visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
Head out on a short weekend trip to one of these nearby spring getaways
To help you plan that weekend escape that you so desperately deserve, here are a few of our favorite spring getaway destinations near the District:
- Luray, Virginia
- Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
- Staunton, Virginia
- Lovettsville, Virginia
- Easton, Maryland
Observe the ‘Flags In’ tradition at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery has been participating in the “Flags In” tradition since 1948.
At the nation’s largest military cemetery, American flags are left at each of the 260,000+ gravesites leading up to Memorial Day, creating a somber display of patriotism.
Get more information here.
