Memorial Day 2012 in Washington, DC

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died serving our country. This is a great time to honor our veterans and famous Americans by visiting the monuments in Washington, DC. The Memorial Day weekend also marks the beginning of the busy summer season and the Washington, DC region celebrates with family friendly events and special services. Here is the 2012 Memorial Day event schedule:

National Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. See Photos of the performers in the 2011 concert. 2012 Performers to Be Announced.

National Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 28, 2012, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons. See Photos of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.


Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally
Sunday, May 27, 2012. Departure from the Pentagon at 12 p.m. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute 1:30 p.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from The Lincoln Memorial. Thousands of motorcycles ride through Washington in an annual demonstration seeking to improve veteran benefits and resolve POW/MIA issues. See Photos of Rolling Thunder

Stars & Stripes & Spokes
2012 Dates to Be Announced. RFK Stadium. The festival will honor America’s Armed Forces and bring together thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts with live music, military vehicle and equipment displays, food and more. Admission is free.

GI Film Festival
May 14-20, 2012. The festival is held annually just before Memorial Day weekend. See classic and premier films celebrating the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces including a variety of films presented by award-winning Hollywood actors and directors. Participate in panel discussions with soldiers, journalists, authors, and filmmakers.

Arlington National Cemetery

Flags-In. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) will be joined by service members from the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard in placing more than 250,000 grave decorating flags at Arlington National Cemetery. The flags will remain through Memorial Day.

Monday, May 28, 2012, 11 a.m. A wreath-laying ceremony and concert will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day. See Photos of Arlington National Cemetery.

Navy Memorial

Saturday, May 26, 2012, 11 a.m. Rolling Thunder visits the Navy Memorial and holds a wreath-laying ceremony featuring special guests and live performances.

Monday, May 28, 2012, 10 a.m. Fleet Reserve Association Wreath laying, 12 p.m. U.S. Navy Band Concert, 1 p.m. Naval District Washington Wreath laying.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 1 p.m.
This year's annual Memorial Day ceremony includes Presentation of the Colors, remarks by a special guest and wreath-laying service.

World War II Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. The National Park Service and the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will sponsor a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of our veterans. Guest speakers will give remarks. The theme for the commemoration is "Honoring our Fallen Warriors." Many surviving WWII veterans will be in attendance.

Air Force Memorial
Monday, May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. wreath laying ceremony is open to the public.

Major Events in Maryland and Virginia

Hometown Holidays
May 26-28, 2012. The city of Rockville's Memorial Day event is a three-day street festival with live music, children's entertainment, a parade and more.

Viva Vienna
May 26-28, 2012. Vienna, Virginia celebrates with a community festival including food, crafts, music, carnival rides and a Memorial Day tribute.

Wolf Trap National Park
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8:00 p.m. Summer Blast Off! "The President's Own". The park for performing arts kicks off the summer season with a free performance by the U.S. Marine Band followed by fireworks. The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early because the park closes once capacity is reached.

Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon
May 26-28, 2012, 6-9 p.m. New family-friendly event! Enjoy evening tours of the Mansion, 18th-century music, dancing, games, and wagon rides. Stroll the lantern-lit grounds and visit with Lady Washington and her granddaughter Nelly. Admission: Adults, $18; children 6-11, $12; and children under 5 are admitted free.

Fort Ward Park, Alexandria, Virginia
Monday, May 28, 2012, 1-7 p.m. The annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival features big band, swing, and contemporary jazz music. Picnics are allowed and food and beverages will also be for sale. In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center's Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. Admission is free.

Falls Church Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 28, 2012, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City of Falls Church, Virginia celebrates Memorial Day with a festival featuring pony rides, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, food and a community parade.

Delaplane Strawberry Festival
May 26-27, 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane, VA. The annual festival includes live entertainment, children's games, pony rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, a 5K fun run, a raptor exhibit, antique cars, food, crafts and strawberries.

Chestertown Tea Party Festival
May 26-28, 2012. The historic river-front town on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay (about an hour and half from DC) kicks off each summer with a weekend of fun for the whole family including a tea toss reenactment, colonial parade, cocktail party, raft race, street performances, colonial crafts, strolling musicians, local fare, 5k & 10 mile run and more.