Memorial weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

With the holiday weekend among us, we’ve chosen a few well-known picks that pay tribute to Memorial Day in addition to some familiar events. We’ve also put together a short list of suggested day trips that won’t keep you and your family in the car too long but will get you “away”. An obvious and free pick is to visit the various memorials along the Mall. Many events at Arlington National Cemetery can be found here and info on Rolling Thunder can be found here. 

The Big Bounce America is taking over Fort Washington, Maryland this weekend through June 11; 10,000 square feet of bounce fun. Use code: MEM10 at checkout to redeem a 10% off offer.

And of course the kids haven’t let you forget the pools open this weekend. Here is a list of Washington, DC pools with hours and addresses. All outdoor pools and splash pads will open Memorial Day weekend and will operate on a weekend schedule through June 25.

Not a pool person? Let your child run around and splash in the spray parks or hit a waterpark (see the bottom of the list). A few sprays in DC are The Yards Park and Georgetown Waterfront Park and a list of spraygrounds in Arlington.

Friday
5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Sculpture Garden
This season captures the breadth of the American musical experience with Latin fusion from ¡Tumbao! on May 26, zydeco from Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas on June 23, Indigenous fusion from Anderson Quartet on June 30, and funk and soul from the 8 Ohms Band on July 28. Another highlight is a special Juneteenth celebration concert with the Muneer Nasser Quintet on June 16, one of seven local acts this year. 

Saturday, Sunday & Monday
Strawberry Jubilee Festival at Great Country Farms is the longest running strawberry festival in Loudoun County. To celebrate the royal strawberry, our Jubilee is packed with live music, farm contests, wagon rides, a visit from the Strawberry Princess, great food and fun games for the whole family!

Sunday
9:00am-5:00pm: Flowers of Remembrance Day at Arlington Cemetery
Members of the public are invited to place a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Flowers will be provided by the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation. Visitors should not bring their own flowers. During this event, visitors will also have an opportunity to place a flower on headstones throughout the cemetery.

11:00am: Black Birders Week STEM Day at National Museum of African American History
Did you know there is an entire week dedicated to Black birders, called Black Birders Week?
Black Birders Week began in 2020 to highlight the challenges and joys of Black nature enthusiasts, particularly birders. If you are interested in STEAM, including birds, nature, wildlife, and African American history, then this is the program for you!  Museum visitors can participate in a bird walk on the National Mall, learn about Black birders and ornithologists, learn how to participate in Black Birders Week activities, and engage in hands-on STEAM lessons guided by Smithsonian educators.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor- Featured movie: Akkelah and the Bee
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once, so end times may vary with each movie.

8:00pm-9:30pm: National Memorial Day Concert
Saturday’s dress rehearsal is also open to the public. The gates open at 5:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm.

Monday
2:00pm: National Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade, held annually along Constitution Avenue in our nation’s capital – Washington, DC – shares the story of American honor and sacrifice from across the generations. The parade, commemorating its fourteenth year, is our nation’s largest Memorial Day event, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the National Mall to pay tribute to those who have served, are serving, and most importantly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country.

Day (or overnight) trips-
Overnight trips for the family
Beach and State park
Day destinations (less than 2 hours away)
Trails, marshes & gardens
Outdoor fun
15 ways to get outdoors
Adult getaways