Best Bay Area events, parades and festivals
Members of Scouting America and Scouts BSA work collectively as they put together to lift flags on the Benicia Historic Arsenal Post Cemetery earlier than the Arsenal Program throughout Memorial Day occasions in Benicia in 2025.
Celebrated on the final Monday in May, Memorial Day will see Bay Area organizations marking the event with wreath-laying ceremonies, memorial companies and particular displays honoring American troopers and their private sacrifices made for our nation.
But along with solemn observances on May 25, the three-day weekend marks the unofficial begin to the summer season season. Whether you select to hit the seashore for a day barbecue, or courageous the crowds at one of many many large-scale occasions — together with Carnaval San Francisco and the BottleRock Napa Valley music competition — there are an abundance of celebratory choices to get into some good enjoyable.
Services and ceremonies
Memorial Day flag planting at San Francisco National Cemetery
Join scouts of all ages to assist plant hundreds of flags in preparation for the Presidio National Cemetery’s Memorial Day observance. While it’s a main service occasion for native Scouts, associates, households and neighborhood volunteers are inspired to take part on this tribute to fallen U.S. navy personnel.
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Arrive by 8:45 a.m.; program 9/11 a.m. Saturday, May 23. Free, registration required. San Francisco Presidio National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., S.F. www.goldengatescouting.org/memorial-day-flags
Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Day service
Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion San Francisco Bay Area plans to host a program honoring the vacation with members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Arkansas Division.
11 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 23. Free. Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1100 El Camino Real, Colma. 203-997-6330. www.royalcanadianlegionus25.com
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Flags are taken out to embellish graves forward of Memorial Day at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno in 2024.
Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony
Commemorate Memorial Day with a go to to the oldest navy cemetery on the West Coast.
10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Birch Road, Benicia. www.cem.va.gov/Memorial-Day
San Rafael Memorial Day service
The Marin County United Veterans Council will conduct a program that includes patriotic music, audio system, a flag show and wreath-laying ceremony.
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9/11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-473-7000. www.marincenter.marincounty.gov
Hillsborough Memorial Day music competition and parade
The city parade kicks off a day stuffed with Memorial Day actions, together with a wreath laying observance and memorial ceremony adopted by a carnival with stay music and meals vehicles.
Parade 10 a.m.; observance 11 a.m.; music competition 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Town Hall, 1600 Floribunda Ave., Hillsborough. 650-375-7400. www.hillsborough.net/281/Annual-Memorial-Day-Event
USS Hornet Memorial Day 2026
Observe the event onboard the USS Hornet with a wreath-laying ceremony, shade guard presentation, visitor audio system and an Operation Charlie challenge workout and brunch.
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10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Included with museum admission. USS Hornet Museum,707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. 510-521-8448. www.uss-hornet.org
Chaplain Wallace Whatley addresses the viewers gathered on the fantail for the wreath toss throughout Memorial Day companies on the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum in Alameda in 2022.
San Francisco Maritime National Park misplaced boat ceremony
The crew of the USS Pampanito will host a ceremony to honor those that have served and misplaced their lives whereas in service to the nation at sea.
10 a.m.-noon Monday, May 25. Free. USS Pampanito, Historic Pier 45, S.F. 415-561-6662. www.maritime.org/event/lostboatceremony
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Mountain View Cemetery Memorial Day commemoration
Celebrating its 102nd anniversary, the memorial occasion is ready to incorporate a presentation of colours, salute to the fallen, refreshments, strolling excursions, stay music and audio system.
10 a.m.-noon ceremony; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tour Monday, May 25. Free. 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 510-658-2588. www.mountainviewcemetery.org
The Sea Cadet Band of the West is pictured at a previous USS San Francisco Memorial Day ceremony.
Fallen Heroes memorial wreath laying
Join the City of San Mateo for a ceremony and wreath laying at a Fallen Heroes memorial, which honors San Mateo residents who misplaced their lives within the line of responsibility serving as service members, police and firefighters.
10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Central Park Lawn, 50 E. fifth Ave., San Mateo. www.cityofsanmateo.org
Mill Valley Memorial Day parade: ‘Our Democracy’
Mark the vacation with a small-town parade and memorial service. Stake out a spot close to downtown’s Lytton Square, the place a few of these marching will pause for temporary performances. Be prepared for singing, dancing, inventive floats and extra. A carnival and stay music live performance proceed Monday’s festivities on the neighborhood middle after the parade.
10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Parade route runs from Old Mill Park to Mount Tamalpais High School alongside Miller Avenue, Mill Valley. www.mviloveaparade.com
The 63D Readiness Division in a rifle salute throughout a Memorial Day ceremony on the San Francisco National Cemetery in 2023.
157th annual San Francisco National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony
Following a formal ceremony and salute at 10:30 a.m., Presidio Chapel will host a meditative live performance with organist Alla Gladysheva 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, take pleasure in local food trucks on the Main Parade Lawn and extra.
The Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno may also maintain a morning Memorial Day ceremony.
10:30 a.m.-noon Monday, May 25. Free. Presidio National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., S.F. and Presidio Chapel, 130 Fisher Loop, the Presidio, S.F. 415-561-3930. www.presidio.gov/explore/events
Golden Gate National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony
The San Bruno nationwide cemetery hosts its annual VA Memorial Day commemoration.
11 a.m. Monday, May 25. Free. 1300 Sneath Lane, San Bruno. www.cem.va.gov/Memorial-Day
SS Jeremiah O’Brien memorial cruise
The historic Liberty ship sails the bay with a Merchant Marine memorial ceremony, guided ship entry and lunch.
Boarding 9 a.m.; cruise 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 30. $30-$175; veterans/lively navy and kids 7 and below free; reservations required. Pier 35, Fisherman’s Wharf, S.F. 415-544-0100. www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/memorial-cruise
The 52nd annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters’ fundraising barbecue is scheduled for May 24.
Festivals and different occasions
Mill Valley Memorial Day carnival and day on the inexperienced
Bring the household and have a good time old school enjoyable with a twenty fifth anniversary Memorial Day weekend custom that includes carnival rides, halfway video games and treats, stay leisure and distributors. On Monday, the occasion will embody an prolonged out of doors music competition, meals and drink distributors and extra.
4-10 p.m. Friday, May 22; noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24; noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free admission; trip tickets and wristbands accessible. Friends Field, Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. 415-389-7789. www.cityofmillvalley.gov
Carnaval San Francisco
The free Mission District celebration options 5 music phases, DJ block events, meals distributors, cultural pavilions and a grand parade on Sunday morning.
Festival 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24; parade 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Harrison Street between seventeenth and twenty fourth streets, S.F.; parade begins at twenty fourth and Bryant streets. Free; grandstand tickets accessible. 415-691-1147. www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org
A bunch taking part within the Carnaval Grand Parade wave to spectators alongside Mission Street in San Francisco in 2023.
Marin Greek competition
Celebrate the vacation weekend with stay music from the Kymata Band, Greek meals, wine and candy treats, audio system, cultural actions and dancing.
5-9 p.m. Friday, May 22; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 23; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. Free admission on Friday; $4-$5 Saturday-Sunday. Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Dr., Novato. 415-883-1998. www.nativityofchrist.org/marin-greek-festival
Bay Area KidFest
The thirty fifth version of the favored two day household competition is ready to supply carnival rides, stay leisure, character meet-and-greets, a market and meals distributors, youngsters’ actions, and a Memorial Day ceremony scheduled at midday on Monday.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-25. $9-$10; below age 2 or 65 and older free; trip tickets $1.50-$80; parking $10. Toyota Concord Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. 925-408-4014. www.kidfestconcord.com
Point Reyes open studios
Join West Marin artists open studios in Point Reyes Station, Inverness and Inverness Park for a self-guided vacation weekend artwork tour. Studio locations map may be discovered on-line.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 23-25. Free. Various artist studios, Point Reyes Station. www.pointreyesart.com
Andres Allstars band is scheduled to carry out on the Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighter’s fundraising barbecue on May 24.
52nd annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters’ barbecue
The common North Bay fundraising occasion is scheduled to incorporate a barbecue or vegetarian tamale lunch, dessert, plus stay music with Sunhunter and the Andre Pessis All-Stars. There might be craft beer and wine, kids’s actions, a raffle and family-friendly enjoyable.
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $10 stroll/bike-in; $30 per automobile. Santos Meadow, 2704 Muir Woods Road, Muir Beach. www.muirbeachfire.com
San Ramon artwork and wind competition
The annual celebration of all issues that fly is ready to characteristic wonderful artwork, crafts and specialty meals distributors, live entertainment on three stages, kids’s actions, skilled kite-flying demonstrations and a kite-making workshop.
The metropolis of San Ramon will host a Memorial Day ceremony from 9-10 a.m. at Memorial Park.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Monday, May 24-25. Free. Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon. 925-973-2500. www.sanramon.ca.gov
Bolinas Memorial Day meals competition
Enjoy Memorial Day afternoon in Bolinas with Thai meals, paella, tamales, oysters, stay music and drinks.
Noon-5 p.m. Monday, May 25. Free. Bolinas Community Center, 14 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415-868-2128. www.bocenter.org
R&B and Ribs Memorial Day Sunday
The San Francisco-born social gathering pairs DJ units with barbecue distributors on the SVN West rooftop.
Hang out for a day celebration with barbecue lunch and stay DJ units from Shawn Looney, Jake D, Amal, Zuri Alexa and Knowpa Slaps.
2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 24. $30-$36.71; 21 and older. SVN West Rooftop, 10 S. Van Ness Ave., S.F. www.rnbandribs.com/events
twenty ninth annual El Rio … Kickin’ Memorial Day bash
Hang out with a beverage and take pleasure in barbecue on the patio as MCs Leigh Crow and Ruby Vixen host a program that includes stay music from Joe Rut and the Sunshine Shovelers, Nashville Honeymoon, Noelle and the Deserters and Caravan 222; with DJ Mexican Spitfire spinning old-timey nation hits.
2-8 p.m. Monday, May 25. $20; 21 and older. El Rio, 3158 Mission St., S.F. 415-282-3325. www.elriosf.com/calendar
