Mike Talplacido
From the Trenches

Honor Our Nation's Fallen with these Eight Memorial Day Programs

The American Battlefield Trust recommends these events and programs to commemorate the holiday across the country

news@battlefields.org

(Washington, D.C.) — In the years following the Civil War, Americans began dedicating a day each spring to remember friends and family members who lost their lives during the tragic conflict. What was initially known as Decoration Day has evolved into a tradition that encompasses all American wars; Memorial Day became a national holiday in 1971.  

To honor the sacrifices made by our nation’s military, the American Battlefield Trust — a national nonprofit organization that preserves battlefields of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War — recommends the following events, volunteer opportunities and activities for Memorial Day Weekend 2026. For more activities and destinations, visit the Trust’s online events page or check out calendars maintained by the National Park Service and state parks or museums near you.   

May 25: The National Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. and broadcast nationwide 

The U.S. capital’s Constitution Avenue will be abuzz this Memorial Day, as the story of American sacrifice is commemorated with special performances and appearances to mark 250 years of service. The event is free to the public and will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW stations across the country. Learn more. 

May 22-25: Symbols of Sacrifice at Fort Scott National Historic Site, Fort Scott, Kan. 

Visit the Field of Honor at Fort Scott National Historic Site and explore park grounds to remember those who have served. The Field of Honor, with its approximately 8,500 flags, commemorates the ultimate sacrifice members of the United States Armed Forces have made to keep this country free. Learn more.

May 23-25: Memorial Day Commemoration Events at Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii 

Mark Memorial Day weekend with a weekend of programming by the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in coordination with Pearl Harbor Historic Parks and the United States Navy, including film screenings, tours and presentations of ongoing preservation work. On Monday, May 25, visitors can watch a live dive of the USS Arizona battleship. Learn more.

May 23-25: The Civil War Origins of Memorial Day at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md. 

Visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to learn about the Civil War origins of Memorial Day. Discover how communities coped with the loss of their loved ones during the war, witness living history demonstrations, walk with a ranger to learn about Fort McHenry’s role in the Civil War and help rangers raise the Stars and Stripes over the ramparts. Learn more. 

May 23: Celebrating American Heritage: Memorial Day at Arbor Lodge, Nebraska City, Neb.  

Learn about the beginnings of Memorial Day and explore a special display of historic flags and patriotic items from within the Arbor Lodge Collection at the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Mansion. A program by a local historian will share life stories of WWI veterans from the Nebraska City area, followed by American classics played by a local harpist.  Learn more. 

Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park, Va. Jennifer Geollnitz

May 23: Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria, Fredericksburg, Va. 

Join for the 31st annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. 15,300 candles will brighten the cemetery, each representing a soldier buried there. Throughout the evening a bugler will play “Taps” every 30 minutes as park staff posted throughout the cemetery relate stories about the soldiers., honoring those who died in service to their country. Learn more.  

May 25: Memorial Day Service at Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial, Put-in-Bay, Ohio  

Remember those that gave the last full measure of devotion to their country at a site that was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and to celebrate the long-lasting peace among Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. The annual event begins with a procession at 10:55 a.m., with the service on the Plaza immediately following at 11:00 a.m. Learn more. 

May 25: Memorial Day Commemoration at Fort Donelson National Cemetery, Dover, Tenn. 

Join NPS staff for a Memorial Day presentation at Fort Donelson National Cemetery and learn about the history of the site. Park rangers will discuss the creation of the cemetery and how it was part of a new national effort to memorialize Union Civil War dead. Learn more.  

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War across 160 sites in 25 states. Learn more at www.battlefields.org. 

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