Memorial Day 2025: Honor the occasion with observances, salutes, parades and more
Celebrated on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day will see Bay Area organizations marking the occasion with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, cemetery memorial events and local presentations honoring American soldiers.
However, it's not all solemn observances. There are plenty of afternoon barbecues and parties scheduled to mark the unofficial start to the summer season. And things are right on schedule, with the long weekend filled with festivals, including Carnaval San Francisco and BottleRock Napa Valley.
Services and ceremonies
Annual Flag Planting Event at the San Francisco Presidio National Cemetery
8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 24. Free, reservations required. Presidio National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., S.F. 925-674-6100. www.goldengatescouting.org
Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Day Service
Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion San Francisco Bay Area plans to host a program honoring the holiday with members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Arkansas Division.
11 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 24. Free. Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1100 El Camino Real, Colma. 203-997-6330.
Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery Memorial Day Service
Commemorate Memorial Day with a visit to the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast.
Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 26. Free. Birch Road, Benicia. 707-693-2460.
San Rafael Memorial Day Service
Marin County United Veterans Council conducts a program featuring patriotic music, speakers, a flag display and wreath-laying ceremony.
9 a.m. Monday, May 26. Free. Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-473-7000. www.marincenter.marincounty.gov
Hillsborough Memorial Day
The town parade kicks off an afternoon filled with Memorial Day activities, including an observance and memorial ceremony followed by a carnival with live local music and food trucks.
Parade at 9:45 a.m.; memorial service at 11:15 a.m.; music fest at 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, May 26. Free. Town Hall, 1600 Floribunda Ave., Hillsborough. 650-375-7400. www.hillsborough.net
USS Hornet Memorial Day Service
Observe the occasion onboard the USS Hornet with a wreath-laying ceremony, color guard presentation, guest speakers and a memorial squadron flyover. Be aware that the vessel will also be hosting a three-day cosplay, Furry festival, 'Galactic Camp,' from May 24-26 featuring many events for all ages.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 26. Included with museum admission; veterans free. 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. 510-521-8448. www.uss-hornet.org
Mountain View Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration
Celebrating its 101st anniversary, the memorial event is set to include a presentation of colors, salute to the fallen, refreshments, walking tours, live music and speakers.
10 a.m.-noon Monday, May 26. Free. 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 510-658-2588. www.mountainviewcemetery.org
Mill Valley Salutes Memorial Day
Mark the holiday with a small-town parade, preceded by a memorial service at 9:45 a.m. Stake out a spot near downtown's Lytton Square, where some of those marching will pause for brief performances. Be ready for singing, dancing, creative floats and more. A carnival and live music concert continue Monday's festivities at the community center after the parade.
10 a.m. Monday, May 26. Free. Parade route runs from Old Mill Park to Mount Tamalpais High School along Miller Ave., Mill Valley.
Following a ceremony and salute at the National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., Presidio Chapel will host a meditative concert by organist Robert Gurney at 12:15 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of the Presidio's memorials and monuments. Explore a history exhibition at the Officer's Club, enjoy local food trucks on the Main Parade Lawn and more.
The Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno will also hold a morning Memorial Day ceremony.
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, May 26. Free. Presidio Main Post, 50 Moraga Ave., S.F. and Presidio Chapel, 130 Fisher Loop, The Presidio, S.F. 415-561-3930. www.presidio.gov/explore/events
2025 Seaman's Memorial Cruise
Climb aboard the SS Jeremiah O'Brien for its annual bay cruise in honor of Memorial Day. Includes a wreath-laying ceremony conducted on the ocean near the Golden Gate Bridge, with color guard service. Tickets include refreshments.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 31. $110-$165, reservations required. Pier 35, Fisherman's Wharf, S.F. 415-544-0100. www.ssjeremiahobrien.org
Festivals and Other Events
Mill Valley Memorial Day Carnival and Concert on the Green
Bring the family for some old-fashioned fun with carnival rides and games, live entertainment and vendors. On Monday, the event will include an outdoor music festival, food and drink vendors and more.
4-10 p.m. Friday, May 23; Noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25; noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 26. Free admission; ride tickets and wristbands available; reservations recommended. Friends Field, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. www.kiddo.org
Marin Greek Festival
Celebrate the holiday weekend with live music from the Kymata Band, Greek food, wine and sweet treats, speakers, cultural activities and dancing.
5-9 p.m. Friday, May 23; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 24; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Free-$5 admission. Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Dr., Novato. www.maringreekfestival.org
Memorial Day Weekend Bay Area Kidfest
This long-running annual Bay Area family event is set to feature live entertainment on multiple stages, children's activities, food vendors, carnival rides, arts and crafts exhibitors. A Memorial Day ceremony, scheduled at noon on Monday, is set to feature the award-winning Concord Blue Devils C Drum and Bugle Corps and the Mount Diablo High School Jr. ROTC color guard.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 24-25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 26. $9-$40, under 2 and seniors free; reservations recommended. Mount Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. 925-408-4014. www.kidfestconcord.com
Point Reyes Memorial Day Weekend Open Studios
Tour artists' studios in the Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Inverness Park area over the holiday weekend. Featuring an assemblage of West Marin sculptors, photographers, potters, painters, glass artists, jewelry makers, fiber artists and woodworkers with studios open to the public. Studio locations map can be found online.
51st Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen's Barbecue
The popular fundraising event is scheduled to include a barbecue or vegetarian tamale lunch, dessert, plus live music with Lumanation and the Andre Pessis All-Stars. There will be craft beer and wine, children's activities, a raffle and more family-friendly fun.
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 25. $10-$30. Santos Meadows, 2704 Muir Woods Road, Muir Beach. 415-381-8793. www.muirbeachfire.com
San Ramon Art and Wind Festival
The annual celebration of all things that fly features fine arts, crafts and specialty food vendors, live entertainment on three stages, children's activities, professional kite-flying demonstrations and a kite-making workshop.
The city of San Ramon will host a Memorial Day ceremony from 9-10 a.m. at Memorial Park that's set to include live patriotic music performed by Olympia Fields Brass and vocalist Saee Ghate.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 25-26. Free. Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. 925-973-2500.
Hang out for an afternoon celebration with barbecue lunch and live DJ sets from Jasmine Solano, JCUE, Lady Ryan, Dauche and Knowpa Slaps.
2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 25. SVN West Rooftop, 10 S Van Ness Ave., S.F. www.15utah.com
Bolinas Memorial Day Food Festival
Enjoy Memorial Day afternoon in Bolinas with Thai food, paella, tamales, oysters, live music and drinks.
Noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 26. Free admission. Bolinas Community Center, 14 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415-868-2128. www.bocenter.org
S— Kickin Memorial Day Bash
Spend the afternoon and evening hanging out with a beverage at El Rio S.F.'s back patio stage, and enjoy a food pop-up along with live music from Kevin Carducci and the KC Stars, Proud Mary, Smelley Kelley's Honky-Tonk Nighttime Band, the Ugly and DJ Mexican Spitfire spinning old-timey country hits.
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