Memorial Day is about remembering service members who gave their lives in defense of our country, and there are several parades and special events to honor their lives.
The holiday weekend also serves as the unofficial kick-off to summer. Whether it’s heading to a massive barbecue, hanging out at the beach, or taking a brunch cruise around Manhattan, there are plenty of memorable ways to spend your three-day weekend. If you want even more ideas, check out our best things to do in NYC this weekend guide.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Memorial Day in NYC
There are a ton of activities in NYC for Memorial Day Weekend, from rooftop parties to street parades, outdoor movies to tours of Naval ships, and more. Read below for what's going on.
Between the parties and cookouts, NYC is pretty chill on Memorial Day unless you head to one of NYC's parades.
There are two main parades in NYC, actually. Both are held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Bay Ridge at 11am on Monday, May 25 from 78th Street and Third Avenue. The route contiunes 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.
Get ready for another summer of fun in the sun! New York City beaches officially open for the 2026 summer season on Saturday, May 23, just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
A visit to one—if not all—of the best beaches NYC has to offer is needed when temperatures become hot and sticky and a day of swimming and sunbathing is in store. If you have a car and want to venture further out, we’ve also included off-the-beaten-track sandy shores that are less than two hours away.
Hitting a Yankees game couldn’t be more quintessentially New York, or American, for that matter. The Major League Baseball team, which won the World Series in 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009, made it to the World Series again in 2024.
To date, the Yankees have won 27 World Series in 42 appearances, the most in the MLB in addition to major North American professional sports leagues. Through 2024, their all-time regular season winning percentage is .569 (a 10,778 – 8,148 record)—the best of any team in MLB history.
Over Memorial Day Weekend 2026, the Yanks will take on the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series at their home in the Bronx from May 22 through 24.
When it gets hot, cool off in style. Several of New York’s finest hotels offer day passes for their rooftop pools, most of which include chaises and cabanas for lounging in addition to a full-service bar.
The combination of two of New York's favorite things—swimming pools and rooftop bars—creates an elevated summer oasis worth throwing down some cash for.
It's the surest sign of summer: Luna Park in Coney Island is open. Expect updated midway and arcade games, new high-speed rides, and refreshed food and beverage options for the 2026 season.
Luna Park will is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Memorial Day. Following Memorial Day weekend, the amusement park will be open daily. There's a full calendar of opening hours here. Admission to Luna Park is free, with ride prices starting at $4.
New Yorkers can’t wait to unfurl their blankets and (discreetly) drink outdoors with Memorial Day around the corner and picnic season about to kick into high gear. Sure, you know about the big parks like Central Park and McCarren Park. But the city is also dotted with lesser-known parks and hidden gems to picnic all summer long.
The ultimate outdoor experience to have this weekend is taking in the waterfront views at one of the best boat bars in NYC as you imbibe a cocktail (or three) with menus that feature everything from freshly-shucked oysters to lobster rolls. So hop aboard one of these boat bars!
Smorgasburg, the food bazaar spectacular, is back as of April with dozens of great local vendors across four locations. (This spring welcomes a Central Park outpost into the delicious mix.) Smorgasburg World Trade Center operates Thursday and Friday; Williamsburg is on Saturdays; Prospect Park is on Sundays; and the new Central Park location runs Thursday through Sunday from noon to 8pm. Each location is open weekly through October.
For its 15th year of outdoor food and fun, Smorgasburg will showcase more than 70 vendors. The food festival will be filled with fragrant Ethiopian stews, Hawaii-style street comforts, explosive pani puri, potato puff poutine and lots more.
Rooftop Cinema Club takes movie-going to a whole new level—literally. This rooftop film series at a midtown skyscraper offers stunning views and an impressive lineup of films. In addition to the movie magic, the venue also offers movie snacks, a full bar and cute photo opps.
This Memorial Day weekend, you'll be able to take in romantic favorites like The Notebook and Past Lives, '90s throwbacks like Pulp Fiction, animated crowd-pleasers like Ratatouille and more. Here’s the full list of what’s coming to Rooftop Cinema Club’s big screen.
The 1960s-themed TWA Hotel rooftop pool is a super fun way to spend a summer afternoon. You can add it onto your trip to JFK Airport or just go for the day. While you're swimming and lounging, watch as flights take off above.
Accessible by public transit, the pool sells passes, so you can take a pool-centric trip to the airport that is very low-stress (no TSA check or boarding pass required). Reservations are suggested for non-hotel guests.
Take a scenic bicycle ride to see some of the most beautiful vistas around, from the best beaches, parks, gardens and good food. It’s the next best thing to getting the heck out of town.
We recommend Bronxville to Rockaway Beach and more.
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