Memorial Day 2024 events in Phoenix: Where to honor military members, families
Memorial Day is quickly approaching and if you’re looking for a way to commemorate fallen soldiers, there are plenty of remembrance ceremonies happening around metro Phoenix and beyond.
Always observed on the final Monday in May, Memorial Day was created to honor military members who lost their lives serving and protecting the country.
This year, Memorial Day falls on May 27, 2024, and Phoenix, Gilbert, Avondale and Prescott are among the cities that will hold ceremonies and observances.
From placing flags on veterans' graves to full days of family-friendly activities honoring fallen veterans, here’s how you can observe Memorial Day 2024.
For more ways to observe Memorial Day 2024 in Arizona, here are the best things to do on Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix as well as the best last-minute Memorial Day getaways around Arizona.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Avondale Civic Center
The Avondale Parks and Recreation Department will host a Memorial Day ceremony with exhibits, a musical tribute and a flag ceremony at the Civic Center Amphitheater.
Details: 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 27. Avondale Civic Center, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive. Free. 623-333-2400, www.avondaleaz.gov/rec.
Memorial Day Gathering at the Heard Museum in Phoenix
The Heard Museum in Phoenix is hosting a Memorial Day event where guests can explore the American Indian Veterans National Memorial and other exhibitions before heading to Steele Auditorium to enjoy live music, a film screening, activities for the family and a showcase by veteran artists.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, May 27. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $22.50, $18 for age 65 and older and students with college ID, $9 for ages 6-17, free for veterans and active duty service members plus one guest, American Indians with tribal ID or CIB, Heard Museum members and children age 5 and under. 602-252-88840, www.heard.org.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the Gilbert Civic Center
The Gilbert Historical Museum will sponsor a Memorial Day ceremony at the Gilbert Civic Center. It will include a flag and wreath placing and remarks from Gilbert dignitaries including Mayor Brigette Peterson.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The Gilbert Historical Museum will be open and free to the public from 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Details: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday, May 27. Gilbert Civic Center Event Site, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. Free. 480-926-1577, www.hdsouth.org.
Memorial Day at VA National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix
Community members can come out and place flags at the VA National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix on Friday, May 25, and attend a Memorial Day program at the cemetery on Monday, May 27.
For those interested in placing flags, the group will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at center stage at the VA cemetary.
Details: 7 a.m. Saturday, May 25, for flag placing; 8 a.m. Monday, May 27, for ceremony. VA National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free. 480-368-8714, www.honoringamericasveterans.org.
Remembrance Ceremony at Prescott National Cemetery
If you're heading out of town for the long holiday weekend, the Prescott Veterans Administration will host a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at Prescott National Cemetery that will include guest speakers and a wreath laying.
There's no parking at the cemetery or VA Hospital; free parking will be available at Yavapai College with complimentary shuttle service. Shuttles will begin at 9 a.m.; the last shuttle from the college to the cemetery is at 10:45 a.m.
Details: 11 a.m.-noon Monday, May 27. Prescott National Cemetery, 500 State Route 89, Prescott. Free. 928-717-7569, www.va.gov.
Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter: @meredithgwhite, and email her at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial Day 2024 in Phoenix: Events to honor veterans
