From Monday’s National Memorial Day Parade and a formal program at Arlington National Cemetery to rolling motorcycle rides for POW/MIA awareness, the D.C. area also has jazz, Pride events, and strawberry festivals across Maryland and Virginia.
Memorial Day in the D.C. area doesn’t just arrive with a single ceremony—it stretches across days, with crowds gathering for parades and concerts and flags placed where they can be seen up close.
Monday’s National Memorial Day Parade will run along Constitution Avenue in Washington. with attendees able to watch live in person or online via livestream. Later that evening. the National Memorial Day Concert begins at 8 p.m. with performers including the National Symphony Orchestra and celebrities such as Joe Mantegna. Noah Wyle and Andy Grammer.
Arlington National Cemetery holds several observances as the day gets underway. “Flags In” is set for Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. when approximately 250. 000 small American flags are placed at grave sites for service members at the cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. the Sentinels—members of the Old Guard—place flags to honor the Unknowns. or unidentified service members who died in battle.
Also at Arlington, the Memorial Amphitheater is expected to host a formal program starting at noon. It is free and open to the public, and includes a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations along with remarks from dignitaries.
For many residents, Memorial Day weekend includes a different kind of procession. Thousands of motorcyclists plan to ride through the D.C. area as part of Rolling Thunder, an annual motorcycle demonstration held Saturday through Monday. The ride begins at the Pentagon parking lots and then moves through the National Mall area of D.C. Rolling Thunder is intended to bring awareness to, and demand accountability for, prisoners of war and those missing in action.
If you’re looking to expand beyond ceremonies, the region’s calendar is packed with community gatherings, music, and family-friendly events.
This Friday. the Smithsonian’s outdoor summer concert series. “Jazz in the Garden. ” returns with a theme of “American Sounds. ” a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. The series runs on Fridays from May 22 through Aug. 14, except June 5 and July 3. Attendance requires entering a lottery that takes place the week before each event.
D.C. Black Pride Week runs Friday through Monday, with events meant to bring together community, culture and celebration. The schedule includes rooftop happy hours, workshops, comedy shows, film screenings, block parties and more.
In Northeast D.C., District Candle Lab is hosting Paws and Pour—an on-site, hands-on pop-up with coffee, crepes and free general admission, along with pet-friendly features like collar engraving. The event is set for this Sunday.
Across the region in Maryland, Cumberland is home to Del Fest, a family-friendly music festival running Thursday through Sunday at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, where ticket prices vary.
In Frederick, Asia on the Creek takes place this Saturday at the Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphitheater. The event is free to attend, offering cultural performances, Asian cuisine and family-friendly activities.
For plant lovers, the third annual Maryland Plant Fest runs Saturday through Monday. It includes plant vendors, a makers’ market, food, live music, and a book signing by plant and interior stylist Hilton Carter for his newest book, “Unfurled: Designing a Living Home.” Admission is free.
In Rockville Town Center, Hometown Holidays brings live performances across multiple musical genres this Saturday and Sunday. Families can also take part in kids’ activities such as yard games, crafts and kid-friendly performances.
In Virginia. Loudoun County’s Strawberry Jubilee Fest launches this Saturday and Sunday. celebrating strawberry-themed traditions with live music. farm contests. wagon rides and games. Tickets do not automatically include strawberries from the farm market. and if you can’t make it this weekend. the event continues the following weekend on May 30 and 31.
ViVa! Vienna! returns for more than four decades of family-friendly festivities in the Town of Vienna, running Saturday through Monday. The event includes amusement rides, food, crafts, vendors and entertainment for all ages, and proceeds support more than 70 local organizations.
At Wolf Trap in Vienna this Sunday, “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is scheduled to perform at the Filene Center. The free event features songs from popular musicals and marching standards from the Armed Forces’ distinguished songbook, with a fireworks display as the finale.
For those planning the week carefully, there’s plenty to choose from—from the solemn ceremonies honoring service members to the bright, local festivals that keep the region moving.
Memorial Day events National Memorial Day Parade National Memorial Day Concert Flags In Arlington Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Rolling Thunder Jazz in the Garden D.C. Black Pride Week Paws and Pour Del Fest Asia on the Creek Maryland Plant Fest Hometown Holidays Strawberry Jubilee Fest ViVa! Vienna! Wolf Trap Marine Band
So is Rolling Thunder on Monday or Saturday? I saw something about the Pentagon and got confused.
They’re putting like 250,000 flags at Arlington?? That’s wild. Also Joe Mantegna and Andy Grammer at a Memorial Day concert feels kinda random but I guess crowds like it.
Wait, I thought Memorial Day weekend is always just one big parade downtown and then that’s it. If they got a livestream for the parade too, people will show up just to record it lol.
Not to be that person but doesn’t it seem weird they say “Pride events” in the same article as flags and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? Like I’m all for people being proud, but I didn’t expect it mixed together. Also are they closing Constitution Ave or is it only around Arlington?