Memorial Day Weekend is coming up, and we’re prepping for a big three day weekend! Marking the unofficial start of summer, while also remembering those who have fallen, we’ve rounded up a list of the best events going on throughout the city. From warm weather summer activities to red, white, and blue themed parades. Check out everything that’s happening below and make your plans now!
1. Watch the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade
Brooklyn’s annual Memorial Day Parade will happen this year for the 156th time, honoring the lives of those who served for our country. Hosted by the United Military Veterans of Kings County, the parade will be held on Monday, May 29 at 11am! The route begins from 78th St and Third Ave along Third Ave to Marine Ave, up to Fourth Ave, and over to John Paul Jones Park on 101st St and Fourth Ave.
The parade is set to include a memorial service including bag pipes, flag raising, wreath laying by Veteran Service Organizations, a 21-gun Salute by the Veteran Corps of Artillery and the playing of Taps. Learn more here.
Where: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
2. Enjoy the start of Fleet Week
This year’s Fleet Week is running from May 24-30, and it’s happening just in time for Memorial Day Weekend! 2023 marks its 35th annual edition, which sees various events held to honor the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. This year’s lineup includes ship tours, several parades, and even live entertainment performances. Check out all of the events happening for Fleet Week here!
3. Get magical at The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience
Spend your long weekend in the realm of the Regency era at The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience! Based off of the Netflix series, you’ll be able to mingle with other distinguished guests while you sip on themed cocktails and take stunning photos! Don’t forget to dress to the part too, since you’ll even be able to be part of the experience (and may even run into Her Majesty Queen Charlotte)! If you’re a fan of the show, grab your tickets now because they’re going fast!
👸 Buy your tickets to The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience here!
4. Take in skyline views from SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is offering a complimentary SUMMIT Experience admission ticket this Memorial Day (and any day, ticket availability may vary, first-come first-served basis), to all active duty and retired members of the United States Armed Forces! Plus, up to four guests within a military family can receive 25% off! To receive the offer, an active duty or veteran’s ID will need to be presented!
5. Fly to St. Thomas for Sol Seeker Festival
Looking for a true MDW vacation? There’s still time to lock in your spot at Sol Seeker Fest in St. Thomas, where you’ll find 3 nights of electronic music, sun, sand, and island vibes. The star-studded lineup includes many massive international DJs like KASKADE, Alan Walker, KSHMR, Afrojack, Charly Jordan, Kim Lee, Deorro, and more! Weekend and day passes are both still available!
✈️ Book your last-minute tickets Sol Seeker Festival here!
6. Visit an NYC beach
New York City beaches officially re-open for the season this Saturday May 27! We’re expecting mid-70s temperatures, so that means it’s time to hit the beach! All within a train ride of the Big Apple, grab your towels, slides, and sunscreen for a day of fun! All the way from Coney Island to Staten Island, we’ve ranked our favorites here. Get there early too since it’s the first weekend being open!
7. Go on a Memorial Day cruise around NYC
Bask in the Memorial Day Weekend sun as you cruise NYC waters and enjoy delicious meals, enthralling dance parties, and tasty cocktails. Check out our favorite Memorial Day cruises happening in NYC this weekend and grab your tickets now:
- Memorial Day Weekend Hip Hop vs. Reggae Yacht Cruise (May 26-28)
- Latin Party Memorial Day Cruise (May 26-28)
- Hip-Hop & R&B Memorial Day Party Cruise (May 26-28)
- All White Party Boat Cruise Memorial Day Weekend (May 28)
- Memorial Day Weekend Boat Party Cruise (May 27)
- Memorial Day Dinner Cruise (May 27-29)
- Memorial Day Weekend Sunset Yacht Party Cruise (May 28)
8. Take a day trip outside the city
The unofficial start to summer signals the time to flock from NYC! With the weather being nice, there’s tons of lovely escapes to make…even if it’s just for a day! From Long Island beaches to zip lining adventures in the Catskill Mountains, there’s just about something for everyone. Check out our list here.
9. Get miniature at Small is Beautiful
Step into the world of miniature at Small is Beautiful this weekend, where 130+ pieces of tiny art will be on display from 30+ artists! The exhibition is one of our favorites at the moment, since you can check out tiny life-size art through microscopes and itty bitty lenses. There’s also workshops on Sundays where you can let your creative side out too!
🤏 Buy your tickets to Small is Beautiful here!
10. Visit Watermark Beach
Looking for a waterfront oasis to hang out at this weekend? Stop by Watermark Beach, a 10,000-square-foot outdoor bar and restaurant that just opened their summer installation featuring a new 40-ft. outdoor bar, brand-new cabanas, and a carefully-curated new cocktail program. It’s located in the Seaport District at Pier 15, and on May 29 they’re hosting a Rosè All Day Fest from 12 pm – 6 pm, featuring endless rosé, frosé and bites hot off of the grill alongside rotating DJs. Learn more here.
11. Grab a drink at a rooftop bar
Rooftop season is in full effect, and this Memorial Day Weekend calls for a drink with a view. From Williamsburg to Midtown, there’s so many places to take in a signature cocktail and Manhattan skyline views. Check out our favorite rooftops right now here.
12. …Or go swimming on a rooftop pool
Dip your toes in these pools this weekend, many of which sit atop gorgeous NYC rooftops and hotels. Depending on the location, you can snag a day pass for a decent price, as well as renting out a daybed or cabana. The options are endless and some of them even have DJs playing at the same time. Check out the entire list of best pools here.
13. Take in a stunning performance at Ajkun Ballet Presents: Dracula
Discover the legendary story of Prince Vlad Dracul III (Dracula) in a stunning ballet by the Ajkun Ballet Company! This performance has it all — passion, heroism, betrayal, love, and war. Prepared to witness this vampire like you never have before! Plus, you’ll also be able to meet the cast and fellow dance enthusiasts after the show.
🩰 Buy your tickets to Ajkun Ballet: Dracula here!
14. Stop and smell the flowers at Sky Bloom
EDGE does many many things, so it’s a great MDW visit in our books. Alongside their sky-high yoga and open-air building climbing experience, they also just opened a new immersive floral experience called Sky Bloom for visitors to explore. Guests can enjoy over 100,000 blooms (hydrangea, eucalyptus, lavender, poppies, + more) while they take in the 360-degree views of the NYC skyline. Learn more about it here!
15. Play pickleball in Central Park at CityPickle
Challenge your friends or family to some friendly competition this Memorial Day Weekend at CityPickle. The brand new 14 pickleball courts on the iconic Wollman Rink are open to the public to play! Reservations are typically required, paddles can be rented for $6, and there’s even food and drink available too. Learn more details about the whole experience here.
16. Go back in time at Titanic: The Exhibition
Embark on a narrative experience aboard the famous Titanic as you learn about the true story of the ship through old photographs, personal belongings and other relics from the passengers. An audio guide featuring stories, music, and testimonies will take you through the tragic events that occurred from an extremely personal perspective! Plus, it’s immersive, meaning you’ll be able to observe recreated interiors and enter the likes of a first class suite.
🚢 Buy your tickets to Titanic: The Exhibit here!
17. Party all weekend long at a DJ set
Memorial Day Weekend in NYC isn’t complete without some live music, and there’s tons of great options going on this weekend. Check out what our favorite promoters and venues are hosting for the 3 day weekend:
- Teksupport: The Martinez Brothers & Seth Troxler (5/27): Happening at an open-air venue in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, The Martinez Brothers headline a Saturday afternoon of house and techno alongside Seth Troxler.
- Teksupport: Seth Troxler: Freakbox (5/27): After his day set, Seth Troxler will headline an after party at the immersive ArtsDistrict Brooklyn venue, showcasing his “Freakbox Visual Experience.” Honeyluv, Mink, and TB-203 will be support.
- Elsewhere Memorial Day w/ bad tuner, Kareem Ali, + more: Get ready for a Memorial Monday of NYC-based DJs playing piano house and dancefloor groovers.
- Green Velvet at Nebula (5/26): EDM star Green Velvet is set to play popular tracks like “Deepfake” at Nebula on Friday to kick off the weekend.
- Good Vibrations Memorial Day Weekend Party at Schimanski (5/27): Get patriotic at Schimanski in Brooklyn, where they’ll be throwing a dance party all night long featuring today’s greatest hits.
18. Hang out at the grand re-opening of Bk Backyard Bar
Get ready to celebrate, because Bk Backyard Bar, formerly known as Tailgate Brooklyn, is officially open and offering an event-packed Memorial Day Weekend! The events taking place this weekend for the re-opening include The Bk Backyard Bar Carnival (balloon darts, ring toss, milk bottle toss, spray away, and bean bag toss, plus more) on May 27, and an Electronic DJ Old School BBQ Hosted by Project 91 (old-school BBQ with Electronic DJs) on May 28. Plus, the venue just announced a new volleyball court, Volo Beach at Bk Backyard Bar, and new specialty cocktails. Learn more here.
19. Shop at Kokomo’s annual Memorial Day Street Festival
Feel the Caribbean island vibes at the 3rd annual Kokomo Memorial Day Street fest on Monday, May 29. The block party is set to feature live music, entertainment, and food and beverage vendors. It’s free and open to the public as well!
20. Attend P&T Knitwear’s 3 year anniversary party
Calling all bookworms! P&T Knitwear, a new independent bookstore on the Lower East Side is are throwing a 3 day birthday bash from Friday to Sunday to celebrate its one year anniversary. There will be giveaways, live music, a prize wheel for customers with every purchase (gift cards, discounts, free books, etc), community raffles (P&T merch, Russ & Daughters voucher, etc), free cupcakes, and so much more! Learn more here.