Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect and relax. There are many events happening across Florida and the United States in honor of the holiday. Below, you will find plenty of parades, concerts, and commemorative events to fill your weekend.
Friday May 24, 2019
- Memorial Day Weekend at the Florida Aquarium, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - All military members get two free tickets to the Florida Aquarium all weekend. They can also get an additional four tickets for 50% off.
- Water Tower Park Concert, 7-9:00 p.m. - Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with a free concert in the park, featuring the Buzz Factor Band performing live. Visit Friends of Tampa Recreation for more details.
Saturday May 25, 2019
- Honor Our Heroes Run, 8:00 a.m. – Put on your running shoes and prepare to race along Oldsmar’s waterfront parks.The start for the 5K run is at City Hall, 100 E. State St., Oldsmar.
- Sarasota National Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. – The Memorial Day event is open to the public. For details, contact the event coordinator at (941) 448-6299. Patriot Plaza, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota.
- Jacksonville National Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. - The public is invited to the Memorial Day Ceremony that will be held at the flag pole at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville. Call for details: (904) 766-5222.
- Clearwater Music and Arts Festival - The event features live music, food, and fireworks. Admission is free and fireworks begin at 10:00 p.m. Coachman Park at 301 Drew Street, Clearwater.
- Venice Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Concert, 7:30 p.m. - Head over to Cool Today Park to see more than 70 Venice Symphony musicians play a tribute to veterans. Fireworks will follow the concert.
Sunday May 26, 2019
- Tallahassee National Cemetery, 3:00 p.m. – The public is invited to gather at the Committal Shelter for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee. Call (850) 402-8941 for more details.
- Annual Memorial Day Concert, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. – This year, the annual Sarasota Memorial Day concert will take place in Phillippi Estate Park. Food and drink venders will be available. $5 per adult, free for children 12 and under. More info at: 941-364-2263. 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
- Tribute to Heroes Parade & Block Party, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Festivities begin at 6 with the parade at 7 p.m. featuring kids on decorated bicycles, floats, local bands, choir groups, drum lines and dance teams, food and live entertainment. Lakewood Ranch, 8100 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Bradenton.
- 8th Annual Stars & Stripes USO Dance, 7:00-11:00 p.m. – USO Central Florida presents the 8th Annual Stars & Striped USF Show & Dance. Experience an exciting night that brings to life the era of the Big Sound of Live Swing Music, featuring the GI Jive Big Band and an All-Star cast of Singing Sensations. The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N., St. Petersburg.
Credit Wikimedia Commons
Monday May 27, 2019
- Barrancas National Ceremony, 9:00 a.m. - A Memorial Day Ceremony is set at Shelter A, Barrancas National Cemetery at the Naval Air Station, 80 Hovey Road, Pensacola, FL. Call for details: (850) 453-4108 or 453-4846.
- Manatee County Memorial Day Ceremony , 9:00 a.m. - A Memorial Day service that is open to the public. Adjacent to the Bradenton Riverwalk at Veterans Monument Park.
- Clearwater Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Former Congressman David Jolly will emcee the ceremony dedicated to remembering fallen veterans. The Coast Guard will do a fly-over during the event. Crest Lake Park, 201 S. Glenwood Ave.
- South Florida National Cemetary, 10:00 a.m. - A Memorial Day Ceremony, open to the public, is planned at the flag pole and Section 39, at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth.
- Sarasota Memorial Day Parade, 10:00 a.m. - The annual Memorial Day Parade will be held at Main Street and Osprey Avenue in Sarasota.
- Venice Annual Memorial Day Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. - Veteran service organizations in the Venice area will be participating. Patriots Park, 800 Venetia Bay Blvd.
- South Florida National Cemetary, 10:00 a.m. - A Memorial Day Ceremony, open to the public, is planned at the flag pole and Section 39, at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth.
- Bay Pines VA National Memorial Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. - With 4,000 expected attendees, this is the largest Memorial Day ceremony in the area. Retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Scott Neil will provide the keynote address.
- Bushnell Memorial Day Ceremony, 11:00 a.m. - Located at Florida National Cemetery. Lt Gen Michael T. Plehn will be the keynote speaker.
- Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 11:30 a.m. – A public ceremony is planned at the flag pole and assembly area at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, North, Mims. For more information, call (321) 383-2638.
- Bok Tower Gardens Memorial Day Concert, 1:00 p.m and 3:00 p.m. - Walk around the beautiful Bok Tower gardens and hear musical salutes of gratitude. Veterans and active duty military get in free.
- Go Silent Campaign, 3:00 p.m. - The veteran empowerment campaign Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is encouraging Americans to go silent for one minute at 3 p.m. You can join in the #GoSilent campaign by posting about it on your social media channels.
- Largo Memorial Day Ceremony, 7:00 p.m. - Located in Largo Central Park’s Military Court of Honor. There will be a color guard presentation, music and a wreath presentation. Rev. Fr. Robert Bob Swick will be the keynote speaker.
National Events This Weekend
- Arlington Cemetary National Memorial Day Observance, Monday 11:00 a.m. - The annual 151st National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members will feature the Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- National Memorial Day Parade, Monday 2:00 p.m. - The National Memorial Day Parade takes place along Constitution Ave in Washington DC. The parade is a timeline of American military history, honoring those who have served and sacrificed from the American Revolution to the present day.
- National Memorial Day Concert, Sunday 8:00-9:30 p.m. – Live on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Broadcast on your local PBS station, the event features musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings that honor the military service of all our men and women in uniform, and to unite in the remembrance and appreciation of the fallen and to serve those who are grieving.
