While many associate Veterans Day and Memorial Day with service, the two are not the same. Veterans Day is a celebration of those who serve and have served. Memorial Day is a solemn day to reflect on veterans and military personnel who are deceased.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 29, 2023.
May is also National Military Appreciation Month, and many businesses offer special discounts to veterans over Memorial Day Weekend. Visit the Military Appreciation Month Discount Center to find out what offers are available throughout May.
2023 Memorial Day Events
A more complete list of 2023 Memorial Day events will be updated on this page as information becomes available.
Check our Base Guide to find your local installation to find out what events are planned for Memorial Day near you.
Arlington National Cemetery
The Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony takes place at the Amphitheater. The president of the United States typically delivers an address at the ceremony. Numerous military and government organizations also conduct services. All ceremonies and special events are free and open to the public. Check the Arlington National Cemetery website for details as the date approaches.
National Memorial Day Concert
The National Memorial Day Concert will be broadcast on Sunday, May 28, 2023, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern. It will be livestreamed on PBS. The 2022 event was broadcast live from the West Front of the United States Capitol.
"Rolling To Remember" rally
A series of events to honor the nation's prisoners of war and missing-in-action is set to take place over the Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C. The "Rolling To Remember" rally is scheduled to conclude with a ride by thousands of bikers from RFK to the National Mall on Sunday, May 28, 2023. The motorcycle demonstration ride, hosted by AMVETS, is also a call for action to prevent veteran suicides. View the 2023 Facebook event here.
2022 Memorial Day Events
Hosted by the American Veterans Center, the National Memorial Day Parade returned in person for 2022 along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 30, 2022.
National Museum of the United States Army
The National Museum of the United States Army held activities throughout Memorial Day weekend, free of charge, including a poppy flower-making activity, screenings of the documentary "Sunken Roads: Three Generations After D-Day," a Memorial Day Remembrance and Moment of Silence, and the Operation Safe Passage experience.
National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial's annual ceremony in Kansas City, Missouri, featured keynote speaker Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Larry R. Jordan. The museum also hosted a slate of other events and observances on Memorial Day and during the days leading up to the holiday.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Annual Observance at The Wall
For the 2022 ceremony, keynote speakers included Chuck Hagel, the 24th secretary of defense; and retired Air Force Col. Edward L. Hubbard. There was also a virtual showing of the ceremony atvvmf.org/live and on the organization's Facebook page.
The Heroes Honor Festival, hosted by military-empowerment nonprofit Engage Your Destiny and sponsored by Fox Nation, takes place at Daytona Speedway in Florida on May 27-28. The event, with planned appearances by Gov. Ron DeSantis and entertainers Toby Keith and Ann-Margret, is free for veterans and their families. Check back here for the 2023 event details.
Netherlands American Cemetery ceremony
The American Battle Monuments Commission's Netherlands American Cemetery held a Memorial Day ceremony on May 29, 2022, with the theme "Time Will not Dim the Glory of their Deeds." The ceremony was open to the public and also live-streamed on ABMC's social media channels. Check back here for the 2023 event details.
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