Things to do
The best Memorial Day weekend events in NYC
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off for things to do in summer.
Officially, Memorial Day encourages us to remember America's fallen service members. Unofficially, this late-May holiday serves as the welcome to summer with warmer weather, picnics, and more outdoor fun. From parades to parties, there's so much to do this weekend, and we've rounded up the best Memorial Day weekend events in the city.
You can enjoy your three-day weekend by dusting off your grill or just lounging around watching the 50 best family movies, or you can get out and take advantage of all NYC has to offer this weekend.
When is Memorial Day this year?
Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May every year. This year it falls on Monday, May 25, 2026.
What happens on Memorial Day in NYC?
In NYC and across the nation, Memorial Day is a day to honor the people who died while serving in the U.S. military. New Yorkers take this remembrance seriously with memorial services and parades.
It's also the unofficial start to the summer, a weekend known for picnics, cookouts, and parties.
Where are the Memorial Day Parades in NYC?
The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Bay Ridge at 11am on Monday, May 25 from 78th Street and Third Avenue. The route continues along Third Avenue to Marine Avenue up Fourth Avenue and over to John Paul Jones Park.
The Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2pm on Monday, May 25 from Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard; here's a map of the route. Event organizers say it's the largest continuously-held Memorial Day parade in the nation.
