Memorial Day weekend arrives with a little bit of everything in the Bay Area: solemn ceremonies at historic sites, hometown parades lined with red, white and blue, festival crowds, barbecue smoke and the first real hint of summer.
We’ve got a collection of traditional ways to celebrate — flag raisings and wreath layings — as well as some opportunities for levity around the Bay Area. Speaking of barbecues, if you’re planning to celebrate by getting out the grill, we got together some tips and tricks from local chefs to help you celebrate.
Whether you’re looking to honor those who served, take the kids to a parade or spend the long weekend outside, here are some of the best ways to mark Memorial Day around the Bay Area.
Updated for Memorial Day weekend 2026. Event dates and details can change, so check official event pages before you go.
Featured photo by Chad Madden.
Looking For? | Try This |
|---|---|
A traditional ceremony | San Francisco National Cemetery or Marin County Memorial Day Services |
Family-friendly | Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade or Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade |
A dramatic tribute | USS Hornet Ceremony and Flyover |
Colorful city festival | Carnaval San Francisco |
Food-focused outing | Muir Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Barbecue, Marin Greek Festival or Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival |
A music weekend | BottleRock Napa Valley |
Ceremonies, Parades and Ways to Honor
San Francisco
May 23
Best for: A traditional, reflective Memorial Day observance in one of San Francisco’s most historic settings.
Location: San Francisco National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln Blvd., Presidio of San Francisco
The U.S.’s Veteran Affairs Department conducts the yearly Memorial Day service at San Francisco’s National Cemetery in the Presidio. This ceremony is free and open to the public.
North Bay
May 25
Best for: A formal community ceremony with music, flag displays and veteran tributes.
Location: Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 20 Ave of the Flags, San Rafael
Marin County honors veterans at this yearly service at the Marin Center. Flag displays, music and ceremonies are all part of this program to honor those who have served.
May 25
Best for: Families who want a classic small-town parade and a festive post-parade outing.
Location: Downtown Mill Valley; parade begins around Miller Avenue / Old Mill Park area
Every year the town comes together to honor those who served at this annual parade of community groups, fun floats and plenty of red, white and blue. It’s a family-forward celebration, with a post-parade carnival plus the yearly K–8 essay contest on “What does Memorial Day mean to me and my family?” It’s one of Mill Valley’s biggest annual events.
East Bay
May 25
Best for: A dramatic, history-rich tribute aboard a retired aircraft carrier.
Location: USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, 707 W Hornet Ave., Alameda
On Alameda’s historic museum ship USS Hornet, a retired aircraft carrier, the Sea, Air and Space Museum will hold a wreath laying and flyover by the Memorial Squadron to honor veterans. The accomplished Rear Admiral Michael S. Baker will speak, and attendees can browse military history books for sale from the museum.
South Bay
May 25
Best for: South Bay and Peninsula families looking for a traditional parade with a festival afterward.
Location: Town Hall to North School, Hillsborough
The city of Hillsborough on the Peninsula holds a festive Memorial Day parade every year with marching bands, mounted patrols and community groups all making their way through the city. Be sure to stick around for the music festival slash carnival that follows the parade.
More Bay Area Weekend Ideas
San Francisco
May 23–24
Best for: A colorful, high-energy city festival over the long weekend.
Location: Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets, Mission District, San Francisco
Five performance stages, dozens of musicians, hundreds of vendors, 17 blocks worth of street party and one grand parade: San Francisco’s Carnaval festival is BIG. And feathered! This year’s parade theme is “La Copa del Pueblo”, or the People’s Cup, in honor of soccer. Moreover, the festival celebrates the Mission in all its glory and the diverse Latin American, Caribbean and African cultures within it.
North Bay
May 22–24
Best for: Food lovers and families looking for music, dancing and a relaxed North Bay festival.
Location: Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110 Highland Drive, Novato
Dive into a gyro at this yearly gathering on a hill in Southern Novato. Surrounded by green rolling hills, visitors can participate in traditional dance or shop their hearts out at the indoor marketplace. Saturday and Sunday feature day-long celebrations, while Friday’s event is an evening glendi (Greek for “celebration”), with live music and dancing to finish off your week.
May 24
Best for: A laid-back coastal barbecue that feels local, casual and community-driven.
Location: Muir Beach, CA; hosted by the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department
The Muir Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Barbecue is a beloved coastal tradition, bringing the community together for grilled food, live music and a laid-back Memorial Day weekend gathering that supports the local volunteer fire department. It’s a classic North Bay holiday outing: casual, local and best enjoyed with a little extra time to linger by the coast.
South Bay
May 23–24
Best for: Curious food lovers, families and anyone who wants a quirky South Bay festival.
Location: Downtown Morgan Hill Amphitheater Grounds & Depot Street, Morgan Hill
Mushroom art. Mushroom dishes. Mushroom beer?! Learn about, buy and eat all things mushroom at the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival. Not just a two-day festival for all things mycological, this event also boasts multiple music stages, hours of live entertainment and plenty of shopping on the street. With all these activities, it’s no wonder that the festival has gone 40+ years strong.
Napa Valley
May 22–24
Best for: Music fans planning a bigger Napa Valley long-weekend splurge.
Location: Napa Valley Expo, 575 3rd St., Napa
Wine country’s biggest music festival is popping off once again. This year’s lineup mixes old-guard stars with some of the biggest acts of today. This year, Lorde, Teddy Swims and Lil Wayne headline the first night.
