May is National Military Appreciation Month, and 2026 is a milestone year — the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and the kickoff of America’s semiquincentennial. Across the country, more than 100 events, parades, air shows, ceremonies, and theme park days are offering free or deeply discounted access for active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, and military families. Use the interactive map above to find something within driving distance of your base or hometown — then read on for the full breakdown of what’s free, what’s discounted, and where to be when.

Memorial Day 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

Mark these on the calendar — they’re the anchor points around which most Military Appreciation Month events are scheduled:

Heads up for 2026: Fleet Week New York and Fleet Week San Diego have moved off Memorial Day weekend to July 4–8, 2026 as part of the country’s 250th-anniversary “Sail4th 250” celebration. If you’ve come to expect them in May, plan accordingly.

Free Theme Park Days for Military, Memorial Day Weekend 2026

This is the section to bookmark if you’re looking for the best amusement park military discounts. We focused on parks offering genuine Memorial Day–weekend specials — not the year-round 10–15% off you can get any time. Here’s where active duty, retirees, veterans, and (in many cases) immediate family can walk in free or near-free that weekend:

Free admission Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25, 2026)

• Cedar Point — Sandusky, OH: FREE admission Memorial Day weekend for all military members with valid ID. Plus discounted family tickets up to six.
• Kings Island — Mason, OH: FREE admission May 23–26 for active, retired, National Guard, and veteran military, plus up to 55% off online for friends and family.
• Knott’s Berry Farm — Buena Park, CA: FREE admission Memorial Day weekend for active, retired, and veteran military with ID + discounted family tickets (up to six).
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom — Vallejo, CA: FREE admission with U.S. Military ID May 23–25 + 63% off online tickets for up to 6 family/friends.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain — Valencia, CA: Free military admission Memorial Day weekend + free general parking.
• Dorney Park — Allentown, PA: FREE Memorial weekend admission for military members + 6-ticket family discount.
• Worlds of Fun — Kansas City, MO: FREE admission on select Military Days during Memorial weekend.

Special discounts and limited-time deals

• Silver Dollar City — Branson, MO: FREE 2026 Season Pass for active duty (register through May 25, 2026). Unlimited visits all year to Silver Dollar City + White Water — one of the most generous park offers anywhere.
• Dollywood — Public Employee Appreciation Days — Pigeon Forge, TN: $59 one-day tickets (up to six) for verified military, first responders, teachers, and government employees through May 17.
• Hersheypark — Military Appreciation Weekend — Hershey, PA: 40% off adult admission and free parking on the announced May weekend (date TBA — check Hersheypark.com closer to May).
• Six Flags Great Adventure — Jackson, NJ: Memorial weekend military discount via the park’s military page.
• Six Flags Over Georgia — Austell, GA: Memorial weekend military discount.
• Carowinds — Charlotte, NC: Memorial weekend military discount for service members, first responders, and family.

Waves of Honor — SeaWorld & Busch Gardens

Run by United Parks & Resorts (the former Anheuser-Busch parks), Waves of Honor is one of the most generous national programs — and 2026 is rare for offering a veteran-eligible tier, not just active duty.

• Active duty & activated reservist/Guard: 1 FREE single-day admission per year + up to 3 dependents (any participating park).
• Veterans: 1 FREE single-day admission + 3 dependents — register through May 10, 2026, redeem by June 30, 2026. (Verify dates on the official site before traveling.)

Participating parks include SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa & Williamsburg, plus Sesame Place, Adventure Island, Water Country USA, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove (limited). At SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio, Memorial Day weekend includes flag ceremonies (MCAS Miramar Color Guard at SD) and an evening fireworks salute.

Memorial Day & Armed Forces Day Parades 2026 Near You

From the largest national event on Constitution Avenue to community ceremonies that have run for over a century, Memorial Day parades remain the single most-attended way the public honors the fallen. All of these are free and open to the public.

Armed Forces Day weekend (May 15–17)

• Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade — Bremerton, WA, Sat May 16, 10:00 AM: The largest and longest-running Armed Forces Day parade in the U.S. — about 20,000 spectators line the route every year.
• Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade — Spokane, WA, Sat May 16, 7:45 PM: Billed as the largest Armed Forces parade in the nation by participation.
• Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade & Exhibit — Torrance, CA, May 15–17: 64th annual; parade Sat May 16 at 1:30 PM. Military exhibit Friday–Sunday at the City Yard with vehicles, demos, and music.

Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25)

The big one: National Memorial Day Parade (Freedom 250) in Washington, DC, Mon May 25, 10:00 AM along Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets. Five thousand participants from all 50 states, broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and AFN. Free and open to the public — no tickets required.

Around the country:

• Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade — May 25, 11 AM: 159th annual — the oldest continuously running big-city Memorial Day parade in the United States.
• Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade — Queens, NY, May 25: Among the largest in the country by participants.
• Long Beach Memorial Day Parade — Long Beach, NY, May 25, 10 AM
• Bridesburg Memorial Day Parade — Philadelphia, PA, May 25: One of Pennsylvania’s oldest, dating to 1946. The 69th PA Irish Volunteers fire musket volleys.
• Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade — Pittsburgh, PA, May 25: Ends at Allegheny Cemetery, where 15,000+ veterans are interred.
• Chicago Memorial Day Wreath-Laying & Parade — May 23: Wreath laying at Daley Plaza at 11 AM, parade up State St (Lake to Van Buren) at noon.
• Monona Memorial Day Parade — Monona, WI, May 25, 10 AM: Wisconsin’s largest Memorial Day parade.
• Old Orchard Beach Memorial Day Parade — ME, May 25, 1 PM
• Concord Memorial Day Parade — NH, May 25, 9 AM
• Commerce City Memorial Day Parade — CO, May 25: Colorado’s largest Memorial Day parade — 20 minutes from Denver.
• Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade — Mill Valley, CA, May 25, 11 AM
• Rolling to Remember — Pentagon to DC, Sun May 24: The successor to Rolling Thunder. Demonstration motorcycle ride from the Pentagon’s North Lot through downtown DC, past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. POW/MIA awareness and veteran mental-health advocacy.

May 2026 Air Shows: Blue Angels & Thunderbirds Schedule

If you’ve never seen the Blue Angels or USAF Thunderbirds live, May 2026 is an embarrassment of riches. Most of these are free with a base pass or open to the general public:

Blue Angels — May 2026

• May 9–10: MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, Cherry Point, NC — gates 8 AM, show 10 AM. F-16 Viper Demo, F-35B Demo. Free with Base Pass.
• May 15–17: Vero Beach Air Show, Vero Beach, FL — Friday Night Show + Sat/Sun day shows.
• May 20–22: USNA Commissioning Week flyover, Annapolis, MD — visible from downtown Annapolis, City Dock, Jonas Green Park.

USAF Thunderbirds — May 2026

• May 16–17: Gunfighter Skies Air Show, Mountain Home AFB, ID. Free public.
• May 23–24: Hyundai Air & Sea Show, Miami Beach, FL — features all six branches.
• May 28: USAF Academy graduation flyover, Colorado Springs, CO — viewable from public spaces around the academy.

Other strong May air shows

• Wings Over St. Louis — May 23, presented by CAF Missouri Wing. Warbird rides + Aviation Discovery Zone.

Free & Discounted Concerts and Sporting Events Honoring the Military

The big televised tributes and the events with confirmed military ticket programs:

Free public concerts

• PBS National Memorial Day Concert — U.S. Capitol West Lawn, Sun May 24, 8 PM ET: Free public seating on the Capitol lawn (gates around 5 PM) + free PBS broadcast nationwide. The National Symphony Orchestra plus military choruses; hosts Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise. Arguably the iconic Memorial Day concert.
• Kansas City Symphony — Celebration at the Station — Sun May 24: Free outdoor concert at Union Station — the largest Memorial Day weekend concert in the Midwest. Stuart Chafetz conducts; John Williams, Gershwin, and the 1812 Overture with live cannons.

Tribute broadcasts (watch from anywhere)

• Grand Ole Opry — Salute the Troops — Tue May 19 (livestream Sat May 25 at 9 PM CT): The livestream is FREE on Opry’s Facebook, YouTube, and the Circle Now app, plus WSM Radio and SiriusXM Channel 59. Performers include Craig Morgan (Army Reserve Warrant Officer), Lauren Alaina, The War And Treaty, and the 100th US Army Band. 3-Star General Robert Harter swears in future soldiers live on stage.
• 2026 American Music Awards — AMAs Salute — Mon May 25, MGM Grand, Las Vegas: Memorial Day broadcast on CBS and Paramount+. The “AMAs Salute” tribute initiative partners with 11 leading military and veteran service organizations to spotlight the impact of those who serve. (Note: this is a broadcast tribute, not an in-person free or discounted military ticket offer.)

Sporting events with confirmed military programs

• Indianapolis 500 — Sun May 24: Patriotic 250th-anniversary edition. Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s parent company has announced free entry to qualifying May events for military with valid ID, plus the long-running Salute to Service program. Pre-race “Taps,” joint color guard, F-16 flyover.
• Coca-Cola 600 — Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sun May 24: 67th running. Discounted tickets via the NASCAR MilTix program (powered by GovX) — verify status at NASCAR.com/miltix. Plus 600 Miles of Remembrance and the 2026 NASCAR Heroes Pass campaign. Brad Paisley pre-race concert.
• Charles Schwab Challenge (PGA) — Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX, May 25–31: FREE tickets, free parking, and Patriots Outpost hospitality access for active, Reserve, and retired military for one day. Memorial Day moment of silence + military flyover; Folds of Honor partnership.

Country & festival

• The Patriotic Festival — Norfolk Scope Arena, VA, May 22–24: 22nd annual country weekend. 2026 lineup: Zach Top, Brooks & Dunn, The Red Clay Strays. Check the festival’s Military Zone page for active-duty pricing tiers.

Museums With Free Military Admission in May 2026

This is where active-duty service members and families often save the most. Beyond Blue Star Museums (covered below), several major museums run their own May 2026 specials:

• Colonial Williamsburg — VA, all of May 2026: FREE single-day admission throughout May for active duty, reservists, retirees, veterans, Guard, and immediate dependents. Walk the streets where the country’s first military traditions took shape.
• Museum of the American Revolution — Philadelphia, May 23–25: FREE for veterans + active-duty service members all Memorial Day weekend, courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal.
• National WWI Museum & Memorial — Kansas City, MO, May 22–25: FREE for veterans, active duty, spouses, and dependents. Formal program May 25 at 10 AM with keynote by Gen. (Ret.) Richard Myers, 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
• The National WWII Museum — New Orleans, LA: Armed Forces Day Commemoration May 16 at 11 AM + Memorial Day Commemoration May 26 at 11 AM with the Victory Belles, POW/MIA Missing Man Table, and Gold Star remarks. FREE for active duty + 5 family via Blue Star Museums from May 18.
• American Heritage Museum — WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend — Hudson, MA, May 23+: Ride or drive a working M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M36 Jackson, or M3 Half Track. There are very few places in America where civilians can do this.
• USS Midway Museum — Legacy Week — San Diego, CA, May 22–25: Top Gun 40th Anniversary flight-deck movie nights. Memorial Day moment of silence on the flight deck. Gold-star tribute booth all month.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum — NYC, May 22–25: Free Top Gun flight-deck movie night May 22; Battle of the Big Bands May 23; Memorial Day ceremony with Navy flyover May 25. Note: Fleet Week NYC has moved to July 4–8 in 2026.
• Battleship USS IOWA / LA Fleet Week — San Pedro, CA, May 19–25: Southern California’s largest free Memorial Day weekend celebration. FREE expo and ship tours May 22–25 (10 AM–6 PM), Memorial Day ceremony May 25, and the grand opening of the National Museum of the Surface Navy aboard IOWA.
• Air Mobility Command Museum — Open Cockpit Day — Dover AFB, DE, Sat May 16: FREE on Armed Forces Day. Climb into the cargo aircraft.
• Museum of Aviation Heritage Series — Robins AFB, GA: Heritage Series VII “Remembering Pedro 23: Combat Rescue in Action” on May 15, 2–4 PM; WWII/D-Day commemoration on May 31.
• First Division Museum at Cantigny — Wheaton, IL, May 23 + May 31: FREE guided tours at 2 PM and a History Hike May 31.
• National Museum of the U.S. Army — Rev250 programs — Fort Belvoir, VA, May 7–9: Revolutionary War 250 Symposium May 8, Rev War Leaders Panel May 7, Washington/Alexandria walking tour May 9. Free.
• National Naval Aviation Museum — Pensacola, FL, May 8–10: Pensacola Navy Days with parade, ship tours, Blue Angels practice flyovers, and the “Night at the Museum” Gala.
• Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum — Mt. Pleasant, SC, May 22–25: Memorial Day programming on the USS Yorktown.
• Iowa Gold Star Military Museum — Johnston, IA, Mon May 25: FREE always. Memorial Day adds a complimentary breakfast and special programming.
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum — Manitowoc, WI, May 23–25: FREE all Memorial Day weekend for veterans, retired, and active-duty service members.

Aquariums with May specials

• Georgia Aquarium — Military Appreciation Days — Atlanta, May 16 & May 25: FREE admission for current and former military + 30% off family tickets.
• Florida Aquarium — Memorial Weekend — Tampa, May 23–25: Complimentary military ticket with one general admission purchase.
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium — Mon May 25: FREE general admission and FREE parking for active duty, veterans, and first responders.

Battlefields, Ships & Living-History Memorials

National Park Service battlefield programming peaks during Memorial Day weekend, and May 25, 2026 is a fee-free day at every NPS site (active-duty and veterans get free annual passes year-round, regardless).

• Gettysburg National Military Park — Mon May 25: Memorial Day Parade at 2 PM, ceremony at 3 PM at Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The 100 Nights of Taps tradition begins May 25 at 7 PM nightly at the Pennsylvania Memorial through Sept 6.
• Antietam National Battlefield — Sharpsburg, MD, Fri May 29: Memorial Day program with Hagerstown Choral Arts, cannon salute, and ranger-led 3-hour tour.
• Shiloh National Military Park — TN, May 23–25: Military History Timeline & Weapons Firing Demonstrations May 23–24; Memorial Day Service at Shiloh National Cemetery May 25. Free.
• Vicksburg — Symphony at Sunset — MS, Wed May 27: Free outdoor pops concert with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, complete with cannons.
• Stones River National Battlefield — Murfreesboro, TN, May 23–25: Free weekend ranger programs — lectures, hikes, evening cemetery walks, weapons demos.
• Battleship North Carolina — Wilmington, NC, May 25, 10:30 AM: 62nd Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Recognition of NC’s “Immortal 11,000.”
• Battleship Cove Memorial Day Ceremony — Fall River, MA, May 25, 12–1 PM: 21-gun salute honoring the fallen and Gold Star Families.
• USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial — Sioux Falls, SD, May 25, 9 AM
• USS Hornet — Memorial Day Flyover — Alameda, CA, May 25
• USS Constitution Underway — Boston, MA, Thu May 28: The world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat sails out for a 21-gun salute at Castle Island. Free public viewing from Charlestown Navy Yard.
• USS Alabama Memorial Day — Mobile, AL, May 25, 9:30 AM: Free South Alabama Veterans Council ceremony in the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion + Alabama Poppy Project tribute display.

Memorial Day Ceremonies & Cemeteries by Region

For most service members and families, Memorial Day is about going to a ceremony, laying flowers, and reflecting. The VA hosts Memorial Day ceremonies at 130+ national cemeteries; here are the strongest regional anchors:

National & DC region

• Arlington National Observance + Tomb of the Unknowns — Mon May 25, 12 PM: The country’s highest-profile Memorial Day ceremony. Wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; ceremony in the Memorial Amphitheater. The 3rd U.S. Infantry “The Old Guard” plants 260,000+ flags at gravesites the Thursday prior.
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial — Memorial Day Ceremony — DC, May 25, 1 PM: VVMF/NPS wreath-laying at The Wall.
• National D-Day Memorial — Honoring the Fallen — Bedford, VA, May 25: Free for active military Memorial Day weekend.

Northeast / Mid-Atlantic

• Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall — Tribute — Pittsburgh, PA, May 25, 11 AM–4 PM: Free tours and a full Memorial Day tribute event.

Southeast

• Marietta National Cemetery — Marietta, GA, May 25, noon. Hosted by the National Memorial Day Association of Georgia.
• Houston National Cemetery — TX, May 25, 9 AM: Parade of Remembrance.

Midwest & Plains

• Fort Snelling National Cemetery — Minneapolis, MN, May 23 + May 25: Massive flag placement Saturday, main ceremony Sunday.
• Wood National Cemetery — Milwaukee, WI, May 25, 9:25 AM. The largest Memorial Day gathering in Wisconsin.
• 500 Festival Memorial Service — Indianapolis, IN, Fri May 22, 12 PM: Free service at the Indiana War Memorial. The USS Indianapolis bell tolls.

Mountain West & Southwest

• Pikes Peak National Cemetery — Colorado Springs, CO, May 25, 10 AM
• Idaho State Veterans Cemetery — Boise, ID, May 25, 10 AM: 124th FW flyover, all-branch participation.
• Black Hills National Cemetery — Sturgis, SD, May 25: VA + SD American Legion ceremony at 11 AM; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Post at 1 PM.
• Cheyenne National Cemetery — Cheyenne, WY, May 25, 1 PM
• Santa Fe National Cemetery — NM, May 25, 10 AM: Wreath-laying, taps, rifle volley, NM Civil Air Patrol flyover.
• Texas State Cemetery — Memorial Day Service — Austin, TX, May 25
• Killeen Memorial Day Ceremony — Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (near Fort Cavazos), Wed May 27, 10 AM
• Heard Museum Memorial Day — Phoenix, AZ, May 25, 10 AM–2 PM: Flag-raising at the American Indian Veterans National Memorial by the Ira Hayes Color Guard. Films and veteran-artist demonstrations.

West Coast & Pacific Northwest

• Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial — La Jolla, CA, May 25, 11 AM–12:30 PM: Free; consistently draws the Mayor of San Diego, U.S. Senators, and decorated veterans.
• Garden of Remembrance — Benaroya Hall — Seattle, WA, May 25, 10 AM: Honors Washington State’s fallen heroes.
• Willamette National Cemetery — Portland, OR, May 25: Pacific Northwest’s primary Memorial Day observance.

Pearl Harbor & Hawaii Memorial Day Events 2026

Not technically CONUS, but for many service members and veterans Pearl Harbor is the most powerful Memorial Day destination in the country. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial hosts a full lineup May 24–26:

• USS Utah & USS Oklahoma Tours — May 24–26, 10 AM–3 PM. Free guided tours of both lesser-visited memorials.
• “From Here to Eternity” lawn screening — Mon May 25, 6:30 PM. Free outdoor movie under the stars.
• Live USS Arizona Dive — Tue May 26, 10 AM. National Park Service livestreams a dive on the wreck.
• Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony — Tue May 26, 12:30 PM at the Arizona Memorial. Bell tolling tribute.
• Lantern Floating Hawaii — Ala Moana Beach Park, Mon May 25 at sunset. 7,000+ lanterns are released into the ocean for the largest Memorial Day evening tribute in the islands. Free public.
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — Memorial Day weekend interactive event with WWI dog-tag making and Blue Angels CEO Q&A.

Year-Round Military Discount Programs to Use in May

These aren’t May-specific events, but they’re worth knowing about because they pair perfectly with the calendar above:

• Blue Star Museums: May 16, 2026 (Armed Forces Day) through Sept 7, 2026 (Labor Day). Free admission for active-duty service members + up to 5 family members at 2,000+ participating museums. Use the live map to confirm before you go.
• National Park Service military passes: Active duty and dependents qualify for a free Annual Pass; veterans and Gold Star Families qualify for a free Lifetime Pass. May 25, 2026 is a fee-free day at every NPS unit (Memorial Day; Armed Forces Day is not a fee-free day in 2026).
• Vet Tix: Free tickets to concerts, MLB / NFL / NBA / NHL / MiLB games, theater, and family events for active service members, veterans, and KIA family members. Small delivery fee.
• VA National Cemeteries Memorial Day ceremonies: 130+ ceremonies system-wide, May 23–26. Find your closest cemetery on the VA cemetery list.

How to Verify Your Military Status for These Discounts

Most park and venue offers run through one of two verification platforms:

• ID.me: Used by Six Flags, Cedar Fair (now part of Six Flags Entertainment), Knott’s, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Carowinds, Dollywood, Lake Compounce, Hersheypark, Disney military ticket purchase, and many state-park / aquarium programs. Free to set up; takes about 10 minutes.
• GovX: Powers the NASCAR MilTix program for the Coca-Cola 600 and a long list of retail military discounts.

For in-person free admissions (Knott’s, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Memorial Day weekend, Waves of Honor, Blue Star Museums), bring your CAC, DD-1173 dependent ID, Next Generation Uniformed Services ID, or DD-214. Most venues will accept a Veterans Health ID Card (VHIC) as well.

FAQs

A Note on Verifying Dates Before You Travel

We’ve worked hard to confirm every offer in this guide, but parks, museums, and small-town parade committees can change schedules with little warning — and many community ceremonies finalize their details only days before. Always verify with the host venue or local VFW/American Legion post before driving any distance. If you spot anything that needs an update, drop us a note and we’ll keep this post current.

To everyone who has served, is serving, or has lost someone who served — thank you.