17 Best Michigan Memorial Day Events 2025
Looking for the best Michigan Memorial Day Events? Well, look no further! Michigan has an array of events to honor the memory of those who fought for our country.
2025 Memorial Day Celebrations in Michigan
Across Michigan, there are plenty of Memorial Day Celebrations to choose from. Michigan has it all, whether you are looking for something active like a 5k, something more laid back such as BBQ, or even something more meaningful like an observance!
Tawas Memorial Day Weekend Art & Craft Show
228 Newman Street, East Tawas, MI, 48730
May 24-25, 2025
This show has something for everyone. There are jewelers, woodworkers, painters and potters. A wide variety of over 130 skilled crafters makes this show a must to see to start off the summer season.
Memorial Day 5k Run/Walk
Harbor Springs, MI
May 26, 8:00 am
The Harbor Springs Memorial Day 5k takes place before the parade, and the 3-mile race course will take you up along the coast of Lake Michigan through the quaint town of Harbor Springs.
Memorial Day in Michigan is a beautiful time of year. Be sure and plan some time to take a drive north after the celebration. Michigan’s M-119 Tunnel of Trees is a scenic drive that’s beautiful anytime of the year.
Fort Mackinac Memorial Day Observance
Mackinac Island, MI
May 26, 8:30 am
The Fort Mackinac Observance honors the soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. The ceremony begins with soldiers assembling at Fort Mackinac, where they march to the cemetery and perform a short ceremony along with a 21-gun salute to celebrate Memorial Day in Michigan.
If you decide to visit Mackinac Island for this tribute, use our Guide to the Best Mackinac Island Hotels to find a place to stay.
Ionia Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
100 W Main St, Ionia, MI
May 27, 10:00 am
Enjoy a spectacular parade in downtown Ionia followed by a special ceremony at the Ionia County Courthouse. The ceremony commemorates the men and women who fought and have died fighting for our country.
Memorial Day – Start of Summer Celebration Benton Harbor
Coloma / St. Joseph KOA Holiday, 3527 Coloma Rd, Benton Harbor, MI
May 10 – 25, 2025
Honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the blessings of freedom and the first weekend of summer kicks off! The weekend includes our holiday weekend charity pancake breakfast to benefit Care Camps, family-friendly activities.
Lights of Honor: Remembering our Heroes event
USS Silversides Museum, 1346 Bluff St, Muskegon, MI
May 24, 2025; 4 – 10 pm
This powerful Memorial Day weekend event honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The USS Silversides Submarine Museum invites the community to an unforgettable day filled with history, remembrance, and unity. Come out for the entire day or just a piece! Inckudes : Family Fun at the Sub 4pm – 6pm
- Jumpin’ Joe Beyrle Parachute Activity
- The Art of Flag Folding
- Remotely Operated Vehicle Class (ROV)
- Self-guided tours of the Submarine
- Food Trucks
- Veteran Resources
- And more!
Memorial Day Family Camp at Camp Nissokone in Oscoda
Camp Nissokone, 6836 F-41, Oscoda, 48750
May 23 – May 26
Escape from life’s many interruptions as you relax and play together as a family on Memorial Day weekend in northern Michigan’s Oscoda. Strengthen relationships and help create unforgettable memories that your family will share for a lifetime.
The camp offers activities from archery to ziplining, arts & crafts, guided river trips, paintball, horseback rides and more to bring your family closer together. Our full-service kitchen prepares three hearty meals each day that will make the whole family smile.
Stormcloud Memorial Day Party at The Taproom
366 Parkview Lane Frankfort, MI, 49635
May 26, 3:00- 8:00 pm
Stormcloud Brewing Company of Frankfort, Michigan, is throwing a party to kick start the summer.At this event, you will be able to enjoy live music, lawn games, local food trucks, and plenty of beer to go around.
The event takes place outdoors in downtown Frankfort, one of the top Michigan beachtowns. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of Northern Michigan in the summer just blocks from stunning Lake Michigan beaches. There is no party like a Northern Michigan Party!
Festival 2025 at Interlochen Arts Academy
May 21-23, 2025; Free
Experience the magic of Interlochen during one of its most exciting weekends of the year. Festival 2025 is a three-day celebration showcasing the talents of young artists across all seven disciplines: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, film, and interdisciplinary arts. Guests can enjoy concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibits, film screenings, poetry readings, and more throughout the beautiful campus.
Memorial Day Weekend at gaylord KOA
5101 Campfires Parkway, Gaylord, MI 49735
May 23-26
Kick off summer with a camping adventure full of family fun at the Gaylord KOA. Their Memorial Day Weekend lineup features a full slate of activities designed to keep both kids and adults entertained, including wagon rides, crafts, food events, and games. Roast marshmallows by the campfire, explore the surrounding recreation areas, or cozy up in a cabin—there’s no better way to spend a long weekend outdoors.
Memorial Day Salute in DeTour Village
DeTour Village Veterans Park
May 26 12 – 1 pm
Head to DeTour Village Veterans Park for a quiet Memorial Day tribute honoring the U.S. military men and women who gave their lives in service. This small gathering will include the raising of the colors, the singing of the National Anthem and the playing of Taps, followed by light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Lasers on the Ore Dock
Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette
May 220 24, 2024; 20 minutes after Sunset
Experience a stunning light show illuminating the Lower Harbor Ore Dock from Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette, MI on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Whether you watch from your vehicle or stroll along the Lake Superior shoreline, this dazzling display will wow you.
Fireworks Over the Bay
Downtown St. Ignace
May 24
Enjoy the fireworks over Moran Bay on Saturday at dusk.
Find Your North Music Festival
Ironwood Theatre Center for the Arts
May 23-24; 2:30 – 10 pm
The 2025 Find Your North Music Festival takes place in downtown Ironwood. Featuring 16 bands across 4 stages, this two-day event offers an eclectic mix of bluegrass, blues, country and soul. Performances by regional and national artists, including Them Coulee Boys and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Memorial Day Parades to Attend
Plymouth Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025
Downtown Plymouth, MI 48170
Charming Plymouth Michigan honors its veterans annually with one of the biggest Memorial Day parades in metro Detroit. Parade-goers line the streets to pay homage to the local veterans in this popular parade featuring local bands, veteran’s groups and more.
St. Joseph Memorial Day Parade
Park and Lake Streets, St. Joseph, MI 49085
May 23 from 12 – 1 p.m.
What better place to honor our veterans than beautiful St. Joseph, MI? This patriotic parade runs along Lake Street, parallel to the Lake Michigan coastline. Follow the parade to the bandshell, for a short program honoring those who fought for our country.
Among the celebrations listed above, Michigan also has several fantastic Memorial Day parades across the state. You can check those out in our Guide to Michigan Memorial Day Parades.
Dexter, MI Memorial Day Parade
Where: 7530-7576 Ann Arbor St, Dexter, MI 48130
When: May 26, 10:00 am
Right outside of Ann Arbor, head northwest and find the little town of Dexter, Michigan. The town may be small, but their Rotary Club is mighty and so is their Memorial Day Parade.
If you’re looking for more things to do in May in Michigan, be sure and use our Michigan May Events Calendar.