Memorial Day Weekend Events in South Carolina
- Freedom Weekend Aloft - Simpsonville
Throughout Memorial Day weekend, this popular festival offers 80 beautiful hot-air balloons from across the country daily, concerts by top entertainers, amusement rides, games, displays, children's activities, a Frisbee Dog Contest, great food and more.
- Gullah Festival - Beaufort
Held on the weekend before Memorial Day, the Gullah Festival of South Carolina celebrates the history, customs, cultures, and accomplishments of the African Americans of the Lowcountry.
- Iris Festival - Sumter
South Carolina's oldest continuous festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts show, a golf tournament, a flower show, a food tasting, children's activities and more throughout the weekend before Memorial Day.
- Memorial Day Weekend Mayfest Events - Myrtle Beach
Military Appreciation Days, a month of events and military discounts from hotels and restaurants, concludes during Memorial Day weekend with a patriotic parade and a picnic on Saturday and ceremonies on Monday.
- Spoleto Festival USA - Charleston
Firmly established as one of the world's major arts festivals, Spoleto Festival USA takes center stage each spring beginning Memorial Day weekend. This world renowned festival fills Charleston, South Carolina's historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces each spring with over 120 performances by renowned artists as well as emerging performers in disciplines ranging from opera, theater, music theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music, as well as the visual arts.
Memorial Day Weekend Events in Virginia
- Salute to Summer
This Star-Spangled salute presents live bands representing different musical genres on three stages along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
- Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon - Alexandria
Welcome the warmer weather with a stroll around the lantern-lit grounds and become immersed in the 18th century, while enjoying 18th-century music, dancing, colonial games, and meeting characters from Washington's world, as the sun sets on the plantation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
- Memorial Weekend at Wintergreen Resort
Wintergreen Resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers great eats and musical treats at the annual Blues and Brews Festival, a Festival of Wine and Food, plus an arts and craft fair, a block party and more.
- Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies at the National D-Day Memorial - Bedford, Virginia
Two special events will take place during Memorial Day Weekend, including a Moonlight Serenade concert performed by the Jefferson Choral Society at dusk and a wreath-laying ceremony.
- Fredericksburg National Cemetery Annual Luminaria
This annual program includes a historical walking tour to view the illumination of 15,300 candles on Saturday in memory of each solider buried in the cemetery on Marye's Heights. Taps will be played every 30 minutes. (Rain date - Sunday.)
- Wolf Trap Summer Blast Off!
This popular annual free event begins at the Filene Center on Sunday, with an evening of concert band favorites performed by The President's Own United States Marine Band. A spectacular fireworks display closes the evening at the fireworks viewing area. (Note: Capacity is limited and the park closes at capacity.) More About Wolf Trap
- Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
An annual wreath laying ceremony and military concert, performed by the U.S. Army Band, takes place each Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial Day is one of only three annual holidays when special ceremonies are open to the public. Also, find out about the Memorial Day Weekend tradition known as Flags-in.
- Memorial Day Ceremony at the United States Air Force Memorial
A Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony will be presented by the Air Force Association / Air Force Sergeants Association.
- Memorial Day at Colonial Williamsburg
An annual commemorative program will observe Memorial Day and remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country. During the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, Colonial Williamsburg has partnered with the Virginia Arts Festival to present a musical weekend, featuring the sounds of the big bands, Broadway and Mahler’s 8th Symphony.
- Kings Dominion Tribute to the Armed Forces - Doswell (20 miles north of Richmond)
Kings Dominion will offer free admission to active duty and retired military personnel with a valid ID or Discharge papers during Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) as a part of its Tribute to the Armed Forces program.
- Additional Memorial Day Ceremonies Throughout Virginia
Visit the Virginia Tourism Website for information about more patriotic ceremonies taking place throughout Virginia.
Also see:
