Memorial Day means more than just a long weekend. It’s a chance to get out of the house and honor our fallen soldiers.
This year, the weekend is full of ceremonies, services, parades and festivals all across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, that are sure to provide fun for everyone. Cake on the sunscreen and line the streets to watch a parade in the morning, then grab your cooler for a fun carnival treat later in the day!
Hazel Park Memorial Homecoming Festival
May 23-27, 2019
- Time: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday
- Address: Hazel Park Recreation Department, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd., Hazel Park
- Phone: 248-547-5535
- Cost: $1/ticket or $20-$25/wristband
This festival features a carnival midway full of games and rides, live entertainment a craft sale and the city’s Memorial Day parade.
Southfield Memorial Day Service
May 24, 2019
- Time: 9-11 a.m.
- Address: Southfield City Hall, front steps, 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield
- Phone: 248-796-5130
- Cost: free
This annual event pays homage to our fallen soldiers and active-duty service members with a presentation of colors, a 21-gun salute, a playing of Taps and more.
St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair in Orchard Lake
May 24-27, 2019
- Times: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday
- Address: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Campus, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake
- Phone: 248-706-6775
- Cost: $5/person, $20/families, fees/rides
Authentic Polish and American food, live entertainment, carnival rides, including an 33-foot roller coaster, games, art on display and more make up this annual event.
Sumpter Township Country Fest in Belleville
May 24-47, 2019
- Times: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-midnight Saturday-Sunday, noon-10 p.m. Monday
- Address: Sumpter Fairgrounds, 23501 Sumpter Road, Belleville
- Phone: 734-461-6201
- Cost: free, fees/rides and games
This annual blowout features everything you could want from a hometown fair including midway rides, games, live animals, car and craft shows, live music, a demolition derby, racing and more. There’s even a beer, bingo and casino tent for grown-ups to enjoy.
Civil War Remembrance at Greenfield Village in Dearborn
May 25-27, 2019
- Times: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday
- Address: The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Phone: 313-982-6001
- Cost: Free with admission: $21/ages 5-11, $25.25/seniors, $28/ages 12-61, $6/parking
There’s hundreds of Union and Confederate re-enactors, artillery demonstrations, historian talks, live music, hands-on activities and much more all in celebration of Memorial Day.
St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade
May 26, 2019
- Times: 1 p.m.
- Address: Jefferson Ave., from Nine Mile to 11 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores
- Cost: Free
The theme for this annual procession is “The Brave Souls of Freedom.”
Memorial Day/Opening Weekend Celebration
May 26, 2019
- Times: 1-4 p.m.
- Address: Joy Park, Clinton Township
- Cost: $4/kids, $7/adults, free/3 and under
Celebrate Memorial Day with a train ride and hot dog.
Memorial Day Run in Novi
May 27, 2019
- Times: 6:15 a.m./late sign up, 7:30 a.m./10K, 7:45 a.m./5K, 8:30 a.m./one-mile
- Address: Fuerst Park, 10 Mile and Taft roads, Novi
- Phone: 248-974-8074
- Cost: $14/one-mile, $36/5K/10K
Choose from a 10K run, a 5K walk or run and a one-mile family run to support local charities.
Sterling Heights Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 9 a.m.
- Address: City Center to Heritage Junior High School, Sterling Heights
- Phone: 586-446-2489
- Cost: Free
Hundreds gather for this 40th annual, which honors the soldiers that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 9-10 a.m.
- Address: Main and Lincoln Streets, downtown Royal Oak
- Phone: 248-543-8420
- Cost: Free
Celebrate Memorial Day at this annual procession.
Dearborn Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Address: Michigan Ave. from Maple to Henry Ford Centennial Library, Dearborn
- Phone: 313-943-2000
- Cost: Free
Honor the lives of our fallen soldiers during this 95th annual, which features bands, floats and a “Tribute to Gold Star Families” theme.
Dexter Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Address: Downtown Dexter area
- Cost: Free
“Honor Country” at this annual march for our fallen soldiers.
Farmington Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Times: 10 a.m.
- Address: Grand River Ave between Farmington Road and Grove Street, downtown Farmington
- Cost: Free
This annual procession started back in 1970 and continues to celebrate our our fallen soldiers, today.
Grosse Pointe Memorial Day Service
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Address: Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Phone: 313-881-7511
- Cost: Free
This annual event features a Memorial Day service and other activities to honor those that have given their lives in this country’s pursuit of freedom. Other events happen at this Grosse Pointe spot throughout the week, too.
Novi Memorial Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Address: Steps off at 10 Mile and Karmin to the Novi Civic Center, downtown Novi
- Phone: 248-347-0460
- Cost: Free
Scout troops, local businesses and bands line up to honor the fallen at this annual tradition.
Memorial Day Parade in Downtown Northville
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10-11 a.m.
- Address: Downtown Northville
- Phone: 248-348-1490
- Cost: Free
This annual event attracts thousands of people of the downtown area to honor our fallen soldiers.
Saline Memorial Day Parade
May 27, 2019
- Time: 10-11 a.m.
- Address: Along Michigan Ave. and at Oakwood Cemetery, Saline
- Phone: 734-429-7310
- Cost: Free
This annual procession, which is put on by The American Legion, celebrates our fallen soldiers with floats, music and more.
Looking for even more family fun things to do this weekend and beyond? Visit the Metro Parent calendar for more.
This post was originally published in 2018 and is updated regularly.
