The Memorial Day weekend is just ahead, and New Yorkers can kick off the summer season with a mix of veterans’ tributes, cultural celebrations, parades, bustling street fairs, and vibrant nightlife.
The Intrepid Museum Memorial Day Ceremony will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 25, at Pier 86 (West 46th Street). The event will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, a 21-gun salute, and a Navy fighter jet flyover.
The event seeks to honor all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in defense of the nation. Civic and military leaders will be in attendance to offer remarks. Those who are unable to attend can watch it live on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday is Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade, one of the city’s oldest traditions. The parade marches from 78th Street and Third Avenue to Marine Avenue in Bay Ridge. There will be a 21-gun salute immediately following the parade at Fort Hamilton.
The Little Neck–Douglaston Memorial Day Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday in Queens. Known as the nation’s largest continuously held Memorial Day parade, it will begin at Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard.
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The parades will feature veterans and active service members, marching bands, floats, elected officials, dignitaries, and patriotic displays with plenty of American flags.
Festivals and family events
From May 23 to 25 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), the DanceAfrica Bazaar 2026 will be held. The bazaar transforms the surrounding streets into an open-air market featuring more than 150 vendors offering everything from international crafts to fashion and food.
New York’s iconic Coney Island will allow visitors to enjoy the long weekend by riding roller coasters, playing boardwalk games, and eating classic carnival food at Luna Park. New York’s beaches also open on Saturday, May 23.
The Hester Street Fair, located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 23 and 24, featuring food, drinks, and a range of unique shops.
The Green-Wood Cemetery’s annual Memorial Day concert is celebrating its 26th year. Each year, it pays homage to those who served in the armed forces. The free concert begins at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 25.
New York’s parks will be alive with an array of family-friendly events throughout the weekend. Playground activities, sports, and family days are planned across the city. A full searchable calendar of free and low-cost events in all five boroughs can be accessed at www.nycgovparks.org/events.
If crowds aren’t your thing, history buffs can head to Waterloo, New York—recognized as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. A scenic drive through the Finger Lakes region leads to the National Memorial Day Museum, just 15 minutes from Seneca Falls, offering a quieter, family-friendly experience away from the crowds.
An exciting nightlife
New York City’s nightlife scene will shift into full gear, with rooftop bars, late-night lounges, and high-energy clubs drawing crowds looking to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
Pier 36 in Lower Manhattan is hosting a lineup of Memorial Day weekend yacht parties, including late-night cruises, DJ sets, and multi-level party boats sailing the Hudson and East Rivers.
One of the main events is a “Hip Hop vs. Reggae” midnight yacht party, featuring live DJs, open-air rooftop decks, and skyline views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline as the boat cruises through the city. Events typically board around 10 p.m., sail shortly after, and run until the early hours of the morning, drawing a 21+ crowd looking for a high-energy celebration on the water.
From sunset lounges overlooking the skyline to high-energy DJ sets under the stars, venues like Le Bain and Harriet’s, along with rooftop pop-ups in Williamsburg and the Lower East Side, will draw crowds looking to celebrate above the city streets. With music, cocktails, and sweeping skyline views, the city’s rooftops are among the most sought-after nightlife spots of the weekend.
