Honor our Nation's Fallen with these Ten Memorial Day Programs Across the Country
(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 2025. 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 23-24: Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Miss.
Join for a flag placement at the National Cemetery to begin the weekend and enjoy a free pops concert performed by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra on the park grounds at sunset on Saturday. There will also be activity stations for the kids. Learn more.
May 24-25: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Farmington, Pa,
Celebrate Memorial Day with an encampment on the battlefield. There will be British, French and Native camps where you can talk with people about life in the 18th century. Flintlock musket firings and artillery demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend. Learn more.
May 24-26: Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, Va.
Honor the over 3,500 soldiers who died across both battles at Manassas with a weekend full of programs and activities. From the unveiling of the new “Faces of the Fallen” exhibit to special guided ranger tours of the battlefield, there are numerous opportunities to learn and reflect. Learn more.
May 24-26: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Kennesaw, Ga.
Living historians will be giving visitors a glimpse into the hard life of Civil War soldiers all weekend. Join them as they set up camp on the mountain, give historical background and demonstrate musket firing. Learn more.
May 24: Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Scouting and other youth organizations from middle Tennessee will place American flags on more than 7,000 graves in Stones River National Cemetery. Volunteers must register here by Wednesday, May 21. A flag clean-up event will also take place after Memorial Day weekend. Learn more.
May 24: Civil War Defenses of Washington, Washington, D.C.
Join NPS staff for a Memorial Day presentation and ceremony at Battleground National Cemetery. Located just west of Rock Creek Park in the nation’s capital, this cemetery was established shortly after the Battle of Fort Stevens, in the summer of 1864. Learn more.
May 24: Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pa.
This Memorial Day weekend, explore some of the lesser-known stories of those buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery. Park rangers will discuss the creation and history of cemetery at Gettysburg and highlight the stories of several servicemembers from each of America’s armed conflicts from the Civil War through the war in Vietnam who were laid to rest from the 1860s through the 1960s. Learn more.
May 25-26: Shiloh National Military Park, Shiloh, Tenn.
Join National Park Service staff for a weekend of U.S. military history and firing demonstrations. See and learn about the soldiers’ uniforms, equipment and weapons used by the United States military from the Revolution through World War II. Learn more.
May 26: Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Md.
Antietam National Battlefield will present a Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 26, 2025, starting at 11:00 a.m., at Antietam National Cemetery, giving visitors a chance to pay their respects to those who gave their lives on the bloodiest day in American history. Learn more.
May 26: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Appomattox, Va.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park will offer special programming to examine the history and traditions of Memorial Day throughout the day. Learn about the origins of the holiday during a ranger talk and bring the kids to build a paper wreath to honor the fallen soldiers. 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 nearly 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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