
NYC Memorial Day Events 2025
Memorial Day is when families unite to honor the brave who have fallen while serving in the US Armed Services. In New York, it is a time to come together with parades, ceremonies and events that bring communities together.
Psst…Get Ready: Fleet Week NYC 2025 Is Almost Here!
Manhattan
Fleet Week
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, Hell’s Kitchen
May 23-26, Friday, 7 pm; Saturday-Monday, 10 am – 6 pm.
All ages
Free; events on The Intrepid included with admission: $28-$38; free for children 4 and younger.
In recognition of our men and women in uniform, the Intrepid Museum celebrates Fleet Week! Fleet Week activities will kick off Friday with their annual free movie night on the flight deck, featuring Top Gun. Throughout the weekend, enjoy musical performances and explore a variety of displays, activities and demos from the military, including the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Naval Research and many more! The weekend will conclude on Monday with the Museum’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
Memorial Day at CMOM
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., Upper West Side
Monday, May 26, 10 am – 5 pm
Ages 8 and younger
$18
Commemorate Memorial Day with the comfort of community art and shared spaces at CMOM. Create collages and contribute to the Memory Ribbon installation.
Children’s Crafty Afternoons: Star Wreaths
Columbus Library, 742 10th Ave., Midtown
Wednesday, May 28, 3 – 4 pm
Ages 4-13
Free
Celebrate Memorial Day by making patriotic star wreaths.
Bronx
Celebrate America!
Parkchester Library, 1985 Westchester Ave., Parkchester
Thursday, May 22, 4:30 pm
Ages 5-12
Free
Create a craft celebrating Memorial Day!
Van Nest Memorial Day Ceremony
Van Nest Memorial Plaza, 1669 Unionport Road, Crotona Park East
Monday, May 26, 12:15 pm
All ages
Free
This program begins south of White Plains Road and Van Nest Ave. with a procession, ceremony, and flower drop.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s 158th Memorial Day Parade
Parade begins at 3rd Ave. & 78th St., Bay Ridge
Monday, May 26, 11 am
All ages
Free
Veterans, bands, civic and corporate groups, schools and church groups, and motorcycle clubs will take part in Brooklyn’s 158th Memorial Day Parade honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The parade concludes at John Paul Jones Park with a memorial service that includes Bag Pipes, Flag Raising, Wreath Laying by Veteran Service Organizations, a 21-gun Salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery and the playing of Taps.
Green-Wood’s Memorial Day Concert
The Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights
Monday, May 26, 2 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and bring your family to enjoy this beloved tradition. The concert will feature stirring works that honor those who have served in the armed forces, while also spotlighting music by some of Green-Wood’s own permanent residents, including James Weldon Johnson, Fred Ebb, and Leonard Bernstein. Plus, enjoy a selection of contemporary pieces by a diverse range of composers.
Queens
Dermody Triangle Memorial Day Ceremony
Captain Dermody Triangle, 208 Totten Ave., Bayside
Thursday, May 22, 7:30 – 8 pm
All ages
Free
Join the Bayside Historical Society and the Bayside Hills Civic Association to honor Memorial Day at the historic Captain Dermody Triangle. This site in Bayside Hills is home to one of NYC’s oldest war memorials. Alongside community leaders and distinguished guests, a wreath will be laid in remembrance of Baysider Captain William C. Dermody and all those who courageously served in the Civil War. Members of Company K of the 67th NY Infantry will be in attendance, along with Bayside’s Boy Scout Troop 49, who will perform an honor guard flag ceremony.
Memorial Day Fair
Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Ave., Sunnyside
Saturday, May 24, noon – 5 pm
Ages 3 and older
Free admission
Join Sunnyside Gardens Park for the Memorial Day Fair! From the flag-raising ceremony to a full schedule of DJs and dancing, action-packed rides, crafts, face painting, raffles and more. Plus, burgers, hot dogs (including vegetarian!), festive sides, beer, wine, hard seltzer, sodas and more!
Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade
American Legion Continental Post #1424, 107-15 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills
Sunday, May 25, noon
All ages
Free
Every year, on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, the Post hosts a parade on Metropolitan Avenue, with participation from local and state-wide community and civic groups.
Memorial Day Craft and Storytime
Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
Monday, May 26, 11 am – 1 pm
All ages
Tickets start at $4
Join native New Yorker, biology graduate, and children’s author Vandana Mathrani for a reading of her new book: Close Encounters in the Rainforest. Close Encounters in the Rainforest is a nature discovery book geared towards elementary-aged children. The book explores the various flora and fauna of the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Told in the words of an adorable little tree frog, the book aims to enchant the reader with the beauty of the animals and plants that reside there, thereby pointing towards ecological conservation. Hands-on craft activities will also be available.
The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade
Parade travels on Northern Boulevard from Nassau Road to 244th St., Little Neck
Monday, May 26, 2 – 4 pm
All ages
Free
This annual parade invites the community to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Staten Island
Memorial Day Read Aloud and Craft
Wednesday, May 21, 3:30 pm
West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., New Brighton
Ages 5-10
Free
Join Ms. Cherryl for an informative Memorial Day read-aloud and craft. Learn about Memorial Day and what the holiday means to the people of our Nation. Enjoy a fun craft as we learn about this great country.
Staten Island Fleet Week
USS The Sullivans Homeport Pier, 305 Front St., Stapleton
May 22 – 26, Thursday-Monday, 9 am – 4 pm
All ages
Free
Three ships will dock at the Homeport Pier and will be open for tours: USS Oakhill (LSD 51). This year’s theme is “Honoring the Past, Defending the Future: 250 Years of Sea Service Excellence,” which celebrates the rich history of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard — honoring service members from the past, present, and future who play a crucial role in supporting the fleet while carrying out our Navy’s maritime strategy and strategic objectives.
Memorial Day Button Making
West New Brighton Library, 975 Castleton Ave., New Brighton
Thursday, May 22, 3:30 pm
Ages 13-18
Free
Celebrate Memorial Day and create buttons using a button maker.
Staten Island Memorial Day Parade
Parade begins at Forest Ave. and Hart Blvd., Silver Lake
Monday, May 26, 12 – 3 pm
All Ages
Free
March in support and solidarity with those who have lost their lives in service to their country in one of the borough’s longest-running annual events.
Psst…Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
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Memorial Day Events in Westchester, Rockland County,