It's Memorial Day Weekend in Illinois

Looking for local parades and memorial services to show your support and honor the men and women who served our country? Since Illinois is the Middle of Everything, our fair state has you covered. Discover Memorial Day 2024 services near you below. 

Chicago

• Memorial Day Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony & Parade: The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events will be honoring our fallen heroes as always with its annual wreath laying ceremony and parade. 

Beyond Chicago 

• Memorial Day Parade: The City of Aurora will continue its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 27 to honor our fallen heroes. The parade route will begin at the intersection of Benton and River. 

Great Rivers 

• Mound City Memorial Day Service: The Mound City National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony is one of the oldest in the region, dating to the years right after the Civil War. 

Land of Lincoln

• Effingham County Veterans Memorial: Dedicated to the men and women who served from all five branches of the armed forces, the Effingham County Veterans Memorial is an ongoing memorial that honors names from both past and present. 

Trails to Adventure

• Fallen Soldier Veterans Memorial: This statue and memorial wall, adorned with the names of local fallen heroes, reminds us of the sacrifice made by many soldiers during times of war. A Memorial Day celebration is held at Fallen Soldier Veterans Memorial in Johnston City every year.

The recent Illinois summer warmth has also paved the way for the unofficial start of the season on Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27).

This upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, Illinois truly can put you in the Middle of Everything. From events and activities like festivals and fireworks to water parks and outdoor activities, residents and visitors from all across the state have plenty of choices when it comes to celebrating the long weekend ahead.

Here are the top events and activities happening Memorial Day Weekend 2024 across Illinois:

• Mayfestiversary: Ravenswood Corridor neighbors Dovetail and Begyle breweries return for the annual Memorial Day weekend street fest on Malt Row. Taste a variety of beers, grab some bites, and enjoy live tunes. 
• Randolph Street Market Festival: Enjoy an exceptionally fun shopping vibe at this fancy European-style flea market festival. Art, vintage, indie designer fashion and jewelry, global foods, vinyl - you're sure to find something amazing. Plus, market bars, live bands, and more!
• Suenos Music Festival: Chicago's third annual Reggaeton fest takes over Grant Park with an amazing lineup of Latin singers and performers. Tickets to the main event have sold out, but you can join a waitlist, or hit one of the many afterparties.
• WingOut Chicago: It's the ultimate chicken wing block party. Sample wings from the city's top wing-slingers in all flavors classic and creative. Mix in live reggae, soul, and R&B, and it's a Wrigleyville event to remember.
• Mole de Mayo Festival: Chicago’s Mole de Mayo Festival, a one-of-a kind outdoor mole cook-off event celebrating Latino culture and Mexican cuisine, will feature over 20 participating local restaurants and popular food vendors. Contestants will face off for top awards, such as “Best Mole” and “People’s Choice.”
• Navy Pier Fireworks: Visit the iconic Chicago attraction, where you’ll find no shortage of fun activities, from live music and dance performances to an artisan market. One of the biggest highlights? Everybody's favorite seasonal fireworks show, beginning Memorial Day weekend.
• All 22 of Chicago’s public beaches: will be open starting Memorial Day Weekend!
• Millennium Park: Escape into Lurie Garden for a moment of zen in the city.

• Prairie Fine Arts Festival: The 35th annual Prairie Fine Arts Festival in Schaumburg returns outdoors to showcase 100 painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, and potters. Plus, you’ll find live entertainment on three stages, food trucks and children's art activities.
• Illinois Railway Museum: Steam, electric, and diesel trains will operate all weekend. Plus there's another special treat, with the Nebraska Zephyr providing dinner trips.
• St. Charles Fine Art Show: The 26th Annual St. Charles Fine Art Show showcases the original works of fine artists in mediums like clay, ceramics, digital art, drawing, jewelry, photography, mixed media, painting, sculpture and more.
• Pembroke Rodeo & Picnic: Giddy up towards the Pembroke Rodeo & Picnic for live entertainment the whole family will enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend in Pembroke Township.
• The Journey Back - A VR Experience at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center: In Skokie, experience the first-in-the-world virtual reality exhibition, The Journey Back, which applies 360 degree cutting-edge technology to visitors on a journey as they walk through concentration camps with Holocaust Survivors who experienced them.
• Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie: In Wilmington, get some fresh air and check out roaming bison at the largest open space in Northeastern Illinois.

• Galena Cellars live concerts: Catch live performances at the Galena Cellars in the Wine Tasting Room downtown, with Shawn "Smitty" Smith on Memorial Day, and Noah James Hittner on Sunday.
• Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks in Collinsville: Kick off summer with a bang at Collinsville's Fireworks Festival with live music, children's activities, vendors, food trucks, and fireworks!
• Mercado on Fifth opening day: Come celebrate Hispanic culture with entertainment from local musicians, dance groups, artists, food trucks, drinks, craft and retail vendors, and family-friendly activities at East Moline’s Mercado on Fifth. It takes place every Friday night over the summer, but May 24 is extra special - it's opening day.
• Quad Cities Running Festival: After an indulgent weekend, what better way to get yourself moving again than a half marathon? Or, if that's a little much, a more leisurely 5k run or walk. Whatever works for you.

• Music, International Wine and Craft Beer Festival: Roll up to Mackinaw Valley Vineyard to sample and buy more than 50 wines and 60 craft beers from around the world. 
• Henson Robinson Zoo: Home to over 90 different native and exotic species from Australia, Africa, Asia, North & South America, Henson Robinson Zoo is a signature Central Illinois destination for the traveling family on-to-go. 
• Springfield Legends Classic III - Cubs vs Cardinals: Your favorite Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals legends battle it out on the field in this Memorial Day seven-inning exhibition baseball game.
• Splash Kingdom Park: Opening Memorial Day Weekend, Central Illinois' largest water park Splash Kingdom at Knight's Action Park is a splash-tastic way to spend the long holiday weekend. 

• Shawnee National Forest Wine Trail: Celebrate the long weekend with 11 award-winning wineries located along a 35-mile scenic drive along highway 127 and highway 51 and make sure to stop by Blue Sky Vineyard, Alto Vineyards and StarView Vineyards for live musical performances. 
• Rainbow Ranch Zoo: This isn't your typical petting zoo! Rainbow Ranch gives visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with camels, zebras, kangaroos and more. An exotic petting zoo may be the perfect family outing for the long Memorial Day weekend. 
• Carbondale Super Splash Park: Take the whole family to Carbondale's Super Splash Park water park, which is set to reopen on Memorial Day.
• Southern Illinois Musical Festival: This long-running festival kicks off its 20th year on May 25. Professional singers, instrumentalists and dancers from across the United States and Europe converge to perform orchestral and chamber music, opera, ballet, and jazz.
• HerrinFesta Italiana: Celebrate all things Italian at this week-long event, a Herrin tradition since 1991. It features Italian food, a grand parade, a carnival, pageants, entertainment, and so much more.