Updated for 2025
This year, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 26th. The day is so much more than part of a three-day weekend. It is a day to pause, reflect, and remember the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
Memorial Day Weekend is also thought by many to be the Unofficial Start of Summer! With that in mind, we’ve compiled this list for you. You’ll find there are so many things to do, so many things to see, so many places to go!
You’ll find special events for Friday, May 23rd, Saturday, May 24th, and Sunday, May 25th.
Plus, scroll down to Monday, May 26th and you’ll see there are several scheduled official observances of Memorial Day, with parades, ceremonies, and other events around Southern California, that honor our American Servicemen and Servicewomen.
We are grateful for their service.
Memorial Day Events Happening Friday, May 23rd through Saturday, May 25th:
Little Women Ballet Immersive, Site-Specific Experience
Heritage Square Museum
3800 Homer St., Los Angeles, CA
Families are invited to Heritage Square Museum to experience the popular Little Women Ballet Immersive, Site-Specific Experience happening Memorial Day weekend. Audiences will “experience several 15-minute vignettes of the Little Women story presented in ballet form as they are escorted through many of the historic Victorian era houses. Witness dance and storytelling with Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they recount their story of sisterhood, love, loss, and family with five unique performances providing an up close and personal view of the characters, the dancing, storytelling, and intricate handmade costumes.” Performances take place on Friday, May 23rd (6:30 pm), Saturday, May 24th (3 pm and 6:30 pm), and Sunday, May 25th (3 pm and 6:30 pm). Details and ticket information are available online.
2025 Newhallywood Silent Film Festival
Newhall Family Theatre
24607 Walnut St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321 and
The MAIN
24266 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Step back in time at the 2025 Newhallywood Silent Film Festival happening Friday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 25th. “Celebrate the golden age of silent cinema and discover the fascinating role the Santa Clarita Valley played in its history.” Enjoy rare films on the big screen, guest speakers, and special tributes to Lon Chaney and Sergei Einstein. Events take place across two venues: the Newhall Family Theatre and The MAIN. A Festival Schedule is available online. All screenings are free.
Memorial Day Events Happening Friday, May 23rd through Monday, May 26th:
L.A. County Fair: Art Unleashed
Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
f you haven’t yet been, Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, is your last chance to check out the L.A. County Fair! This year’s theme is Art Unleashed. “The Fair has been a celebration of art for more than a century: home arts, culinary arts, visual arts, performing arts, fine arts. The art of having fun. The art of making memories. Celebrate artistry and mastery in all their diverse forms with the Fair’s immersive experience that promises to captivate all guests.” Art is so much more than a canvas and brush, as you’ll see at the Fair. Likewise, there is no one thing that defines the L.A. County Fair. The Fair truly offers something for everyone including carnival rides, animals, shopping, live musical performances, and of course, the food. Check the website for more information about tickets and a schedule of events. Remember – the last day of the Fair is Monday, May 26th.
LA Fleet Week
LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles
(For driving directions use: 100 Swinford St., San Pedro, CA 90731)
LA Fleet Week is “an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services.” The event is being held over the extended Memorial Day Weekend from Wednesday, May 21st through Monday, May 26th. The free event includes tours of active duty ships, live entertainment, aircraft flyovers, military displays and equipment demonstrations, and much more. Check the website for details and information regarding parking and shuttle options.
65th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Village Green – between Euclid & Main St., Garden Grove, CA
The 65th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is happening all weekend long — Friday, May 23rd (1 pm to 10 pm), Saturday, May 24th (10 am to 10 pm), Sunday, May 25th (10 am to 10 pm), and Monday, May 26th (10 am to 9pm). This year’s theme is “Celebrating Cultural Diversity.” The fun includes a Parade (on Saturday at 10 am), carnival rides, games, vendor booths, live musical performances, strawberries, and lots more! Details are available online.
Tube-A-Palooza: Tunneling Into Play
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA
Pretend City Children’s Museum announces Tube-A-Palooza, a special program beginning on Friday, May 23rd and continuing through Monday, September 1st. “Take your family on an exciting adventure through a world of tubes—big, small, twisty, and tall! This hands-on, STEAM-powered experience is packed for kids to build, explore, and discover through play.” Details and ticket information are available online.
Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA
888 S. Olive St. 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA is screening several family-friendly movies over Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, May 23rd there is an 8:25 pm screening of 500 Days of Summer (rated PG-13). On Saturday, May 24th there is an 8:25 pm screening of 50 First Dates (rated PG-13). On Sunday, May 25th there is an 8:25 pm screening of La La Land (rated PG-13). And on Monday, May 26th there is an 8:30 pm screening of How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days (rated PG-13). Refreshments and concession stand favorites are available for purchase on-site. Tickets are available online. (Note – screenings at DTLA are for guests 16+.)
Memorial Day Events Happening Saturday, May 24th:
Pasadena Comic Convention and Toy Show
Pasadena Convention Center – Halls A and B & Artist Alley Ballroom
300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Comic Convention and Toy Show takes place on Saturday, May 24th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Pasadena Comic Con is described as a “pop culture event for all ages.” The special event will feature celebrity guests, panel discussions, vendors, and more. Children 12 and younger are free. Details and ticket information are available online.
Street Food Cinema: 9 To 5 (Dolly Parton Night)
The Autry Museum
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Street Food Cinema invites you to enjoy an outdoor screening of 9 To 5 on Saturday, May 24th. Doors open at 5:30 pm, the band starts performing at 6:45 pm, and the movie starts at 8:00 pm. Live music will be performed by the LOVE DOLLY band, described as the “#1 Dolly Parton tribute act on the West Coast.” Food trucks will be on-site as well. Tickets are available online. (The film is rated PG.)
29th Annual Family Fun Day
La Pintoresca Park
45 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA
The City of Pasadena’s 29th Annual Family Fun Day takes place at La Pintoresca Park on Saturday, May 24th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The fun includes live entertainment, arts and crafts, games, and more.
27th Annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families
Arcadia County Park
405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006
The 27th Annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families is happening on Saturday, May 24th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is hosting this special event which serves as an “opportunity to express gratitude to our esteemed veterans, dedicated service members, and their devoted families for their unwavering commitment to a lifetime of service.” This is a free event and open to the public. No RSVP is required.
Memorial Day Events Happening Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th:
Scottish Fest
OC Fair and Event Center
88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Scottish Fest, “Southern California’s largest Scottish, Celtic, American Festival,” is happening on Saturday, May 24th (9 am to 6 pm) and Sunday, May 25th (9 am to 5:30 pm). Families are invited to “two days of world class Celtic music, piping and drumming competitions, Highland dancing contests, Scottish heavy athletics, Scottish gifts and foods, Scottish clans and genealogy, a fantastic children’s glen and so much more!” Details, including ticket information, are available online.
Memorial Day Events Happening Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th:
Fiesta Hermosa
Downtown Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach’s annual Fiesta Hermosa is happening Memorial Day weekend – Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th. For more than 50 years, “Fiesta has been filling Hermosa’s streets with art, music, and fun,” and is known as “Southern California’s largest beachside arts and crafts festival.” The fun includes live musical performances across multiple stages, carnival rides and games, food, Makers Mercado featuring more than 200 artisan vendors, and much more. The event spans half-a-mile, with two shuttle bus stops. Check the website for all the details.
Memorial Day Weekend Swim @ Annenberg Community Beach House Pool
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
This Memorial Day weekend, families are invited to take a dip in the pool at Annenberg Community Beach House. The historic pool will be open Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. ($4 for children age 1-17; $10 for adults 18-59; $5 for seniors 60+; free for babies under 12 months) Check the website for details.
50th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair
1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA
The 50th Annual Topanga Days event is happening Memorial Day weekend – Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th from 10 am to 7 pm each day. A Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 26th starting at 8:30 am. The fun includes live entertainment, a variety of vendors, food, games, and more. This special event is a fundraiser for the Topanga Community Center. Details, including information on parking, shuttles, and tickets, are available online.
Fiesta Days
Multiple locations in La Cañada Flintridge
Over Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday May 24th through Monday, May 26th, residents and visitors to La Cañada Flintridge gather to “celebrate, remember, and respect” during the city’s Fiesta Days, a special event honoring veterans and the city’s Spanish heritage. The fun includes a vintage car show (on Saturday), fireworks show (on Sunday), a parade (on Monday), and much more. Check the website for all the details.
Annual Memorial Weekend Carnival
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007
The Annual Memorial Weekend Carnival at Santa Anita Park is scheduled for Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th (11:00 am to 7:00 pm each day). The fun includes inflatable jumpers, carnival games and rides, pony rides, food, and more. Carnival tickets are required for certain attractions; however, children 17 and younger are admitted for free. Details, including height requirements for many of the rides, and ticket information are available online.
Valley Greek Festival
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325
The San Fernando Valley’s 49th Annual Greek Festival is happening Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 24th through Monday, May 26th (12:00 pm to 9:00 pm each day). “The festival evokes the sights, sounds, and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life.” Enjoy tasty food, live musical and dance performances, kid-friendly activities (including bouncers, giant slides, games, and crafts), an outdoor Greek marketplace, cooking demonstrations, and more. Details are available online.
Memorial Day Events Happening Sunday, May 25th:
19th Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival
The Yard Theater
4319 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029
The 19th Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival is happening at The Yard Theater on Sunday, May 25th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Film Festival features “more than 130 short films — live action, animation, documentary— produced worldwide by filmmakers of all ages.” A schedule is available on the website. Reserve your free tickets online.
Play Day in the Park: Giant Games
Playhouse Village Park
701 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Visit Playhouse Village Park on Sunday, May 25th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for an “epic day of fun and games.” Enjoy giant versions of some of your favorite games including Connect 4, Candy Land, Uno, and more. There will also be music, card games, prizes, and kids’ crafts. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the on-site concession space.
Cinespia: Clueless (30th Anniversary)
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Cinespia invites families to a special outdoor 30th Anniversary screening of Clueless on Sunday, May 25th. The fun also includes entertainment provided by DJs and a free Photo Booth. Doors open at 6:45 pm, and the movie starts at 8:30 pm. Tickets are available online. (The movie is rated PG-13.)
10th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street
Santa Monica, CA
Participate in MAINopoly in Santa Monica on Sunday, May 25th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. This fun, all-ages event is “a fun take on the classic board game, giving players access to tastings at over 20 participating locations. Stop at every location for a chance to win a ‘Taste of Main Street’ Prize Package. Monopoly-themed attire is encouraged.” All the details, including ticket information, are available online. (Free for children 4 and younger.)
LA Fleet Week Celebration
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Original Farmers Market invites families to its LA Fleet Week Celebration event on Sunday, May 25th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. “The U.S. Navy Band Southwest 32nd Street Brass Band will be performing in front of the world famous Clock Tower on the Farmers Market Plaza.” Families will enjoy traditional brass music as well as “renditions of popular hip hop and top 40 music heard around the world today.”
Africa Day: A Festival of Music, Dance, Art and Food
Fowler Museum at UCLA
308 Charles E. Young Dr. North, Los Angeles, CA 90024
The Fowler Museum is hosting Africa Day: A Festival of Music, Dance, Art and Food, on Sunday, May 25th from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The annual event is a celebration of 60 years of African Studies at UCLA. Enjoy live musical and dance performances, art-making opportunities, and refreshments at this free event. Free tickets are available online.
Memorial Day Events Happening Monday, May 26th:
Memorial Day Service
Inglewood City Hall – South Mall
One W. Manchester, Inglewood, CA 90301
The City of Inglewood is hosting its annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 26th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The special event honors the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Memorial Day Ceremony
City Hall Front Lawn
1415 Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte, CA
The City of South El Monte is holding its Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26th starting at 11:00 am. The special ceremony will include poetry readings, speeches, and a 21-gun salute. Light refreshments will be served following the Ceremony.
Music in the Park
Memorial Park
1301 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada Flintridge, CA
The City of La Cañada Flintridge’s annual Music in the Park Series begins on Monday, May 26th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Pack a picnic and settle in for a delightful late afternoon concert in the park. Each week a different musical genre is highlighted. On Memorial Day, enjoy Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries performing Rock-n-Roll Oldies. (Note – All other weekly concerts will take place on Sunday evenings.)
More Memorial Day Events Happening Monday, May 26th:
Memorial Day 2025
Forest Lawn
All Six Locations including Hollywood Hills
6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
All six Southern California Forest Lawn locations are hosting special Memorial Day commemorations on Monday, May 26th. “The family-friendly, parkwide remembrances will bring generations together to commemorate the lives and valor of American veterans with patriotic music, wreath layings, presentations and retirings of the flag, keynote addresses, presidential proclamations, invocations, giveaways, arts and crafts, coffee, sweet treats, and more.” Events at most locations, including Hollywood Hills, begin at 10:00 am. Families are encouraged to arrive one hour earlier to allow enough time to find parking and leisurely stroll through the grounds before the events begin. Admission and parking are free. Details are available online.
Memorial Day Observance
Community Center
100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA 92672
The City of San Clemente is hosting its Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 26th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. During this free, outdoor program community leaders commemorate fallen servicemembers.
2025 Memorial Day Flower Drop
Palm Springs Air Museum
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Take a drive to the Palm Springs Air Museum for their Annual Memorial Day Flower Drop. The annual Memorial Day service is “dedicated to all our fallen comrades, who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. In their honor, we highlight the service with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber. This year the flowers will drop from Semper Fi, the only flying Mitchell PBJ (Marine and Navy versions of the B-25).” Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions and activities are scheduled throughout the day and include live music, kids’ activities, and on-site food vendors. The Memorial Ceremony starts at 1:00 pm, and the Flower Drop happens after the Missing Man Formation around 2:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased online. (Free off-site parking and shuttle service are available.)
33rd Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
Sherman Way Blvd. (from Owensmouth to Cozycroft), Canoga Park, CA
The 33rd Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade is happening on Monday, May 26th. The opening ceremony is at 10:00 am, and the parade starts at 11:00 am. Enjoy floats, classic cars, bands and choral groups, and more. Check the website for more details as they become available.
Memorial Day at the Nixon Library
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
The Nixon Library honors America’s fallen warriors during a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, May 26th. Check the website for more details as they become available.
Memorial Day Ceremony
McCambridge Park War Memorial
Corner of San Fernando Road and Amherst Dr., Burbank, CA
The City of Burbank’s Memorial Day Ceremony is happening on Monday, May 26th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The event starts off with the Burbank Community Band’s performance at 10:15 am and will also feature speakers and a Condor Squadron Flyover.
Memorial Day
Alhambra Park Veterans Memorial
500 N. Palm Ave., Alhambra, CA 91801
The City of Alhambra and American Legion Post 139 are commemorating Memorial Day at their annual event on Monday, May 26th. Live music and a continental breakfast begin at 10:00 am, and the Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 11:00 am.
Memorial Day Remembrance Event
Veterans Sports Park
1645 Valencia Ave., Tustin, CA 92782
The City of Tustin invites the community to its 5th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Event on Monday, May 26th. The program begins at 9:00 am and will include a “heartfelt ceremony featuring speeches, the reading of the names of Tustin’s KIA/MIA service members, the unveiling of new Veterans Pavers at the monument, and a 21 Gun Salute.”
Summer Concerts in the Park
Conejo Community Park
1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) presents its annual Summer Concerts in the Park series beginning on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th. DSB – Don’t Stop Believing: Tribute to Journey will be performing. The evening also includes a live bugle performance of “Taps” and the National Anthem performed by Westlake Music Academy. Food trucks will be on-site as well. Remember to bring your picnic blankets and chairs. The concert begins promptly at 5:00 pm and concludes at 7:00 pm.
Centennial Summer Kick Off
Verdugo Aquatic Facility
3201 W. Verdugo Ave., Burbank, CA 91505
The City of Burbank is ready to celebrate the start of summer and the centennial anniversary of Burbank Parks and Recreation on Monday, May 26th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. “This free, family-friendly event features pool games, music, and giveaways—perfect for all ages to enjoy a day in the sun. Admission is free, but registration is required for activity pool sessions.” Details are available online.
The History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a Federal holiday in the United States that is observed on the last Monday of May each year. It is a day to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday has its roots in the aftermath of the Civil War, which ended in 1865. In the years following the war, communities across the country began holding ceremonies to honor the soldiers who had died in the conflict.
The first official observance of Memorial Day was held on May 30, 1868, when General John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation calling for a national day of remembrance for the Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. The day was originally called Decoration Day, and it was designated as a time for decorating the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers and other decorations.
Over time, Memorial Day came to honor all Americans who had died while serving in the military, not just those who had died in the Civil War. In 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act, which made Memorial Day a Federal holiday and moved its observance to the last Monday in May.
We hope you enjoy and celebrate the memories of those who’ve served our country this Memorial Day.
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
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