Memorial Day 2026 in Wisconsin: Parades, Ceremonies, and Events

Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, with weekend observances spanning Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25. Across Wisconsin, communities will mark the holiday with hometown parades, cemetery services, river ceremonies, flyovers, brat fries, and 5K races — and a handful of festivals that double as the unofficial start of summer.

This guide pulls together what we know about 2026 plans plus the long-running annual traditions families can plan around. Because most communities post final 2026 details only days before the holiday, dates and times below reflect 2026 confirmations where available and the most recent (typically 2025) editions for recurring annual events. Always confirm with the host city, village, VFW, or American Legion post before heading out.

A note on sourcing: most of the events listed here are annual, longstanding traditions hosted by local American Legion or VFW posts. Where 2026 details have already been published, we’ve referenced them directly. Where they have not, we’ve noted the most recent confirmed edition so you know what to expect.

Milwaukee and the North Shore

City of Milwaukee

The largest gathering in the state takes place at Wood National Cemetery on the Milwaukee VA campus, 5000 W. National Ave. The Memorial Day program traditionally starts at 9:25 a.m. at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument obelisk in the cemetery’s northwest corner, with a pre-ceremony concert from the Milwaukee American Legion Band beginning at 9 a.m. The program features a wreath-laying, balloon release, rifle volley, taps, and "God Bless America." Volunteers are typically invited to place flags at gravesites the Saturday before Memorial Day starting at 9 a.m., and to remove them the Tuesday after starting at 8:30 a.m.; sign-in is at the cemetery office, Building 1301.

The Field of Flags at Veterans Park, near the War Memorial Center on Milwaukee’s lakefront, is an unforgettable sight — volunteers place 27,316 flags representing each Wisconsinite killed in action. In 2025 the flag installation took place Friday, May 23; expect a similar Friday-before pattern for 2026.

Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee’s historic resting place at 2405 W. Forest Home Ave., hosts an 11 a.m. Memorial Day program inside the Ferry & Clas Chapel followed by a wreath-laying in the Garden of Honor. Costumed reenactors share stories from the cemetery’s notable veterans, and food is available for purchase.

Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa’s annual Memorial Day Observance takes place at Hart Park near the skateboard park, the future site of the Wauwatosa Veterans Memorial. The 2025 program began at 9 a.m. with a guest speaker, remarks from the mayor, and a moment of silence; expect similar timing on Monday, May 25, 2026. Confirm the year’s details with the Wauwatosa Civic Celebration Committee at (414) 736-6517.

Whitefish Bay

Memorial Day Service at Whitefish Bay

The Village of Whitefish Bay holds a memorial day ceremony at the Veterans Monument & Memorial Garden in Armory Park, at the corner of Henry Clay Street and Ardmore Avenue, on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. The program includes remarks, a wreath-laying, and Taps, and runs rain or shine. Park in the high school lot or on neighborhood streets and bring a chair or blanket.

Shorewood

Shorewood’s Community Memorial Day Program takes place Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 3 p.m. on the front lawn of Shorewood High School Administration Building, 1701 E. Capitol Drive. Highlights include a bagpiper processional, color guard, live music, local officials, and a community sing-along. Confirm 2026 details at villageofshorewood.org.

Mequon and Thiensville

The combined Mequon-Thiensville Memorial Day Parade, hosted by American Legion Post 457, steps off Monday, May 25, 2026 at 10 a.m. from Grace Lutheran Church in Thiensville, then travels south on Main Street/Cedarburg Road, crossing the river into Mequon. The post-parade observance runs roughly 11:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on the lawn at Mequon City Hall and includes a rifle salute, patriotic readings, and live music.

Glendale

Glendale doesn’t host a formal program, but the War Memorial at Richard E. Maslowski Community Park (6560 N. Milwaukee River Pkwy.) is open dawn to dusk all weekend. Five stone pillars — one for each branch of service — and dramatic evening lighting make this a meaningful self-guided stop.

Cedarburg

The Cedarburg American Legion Memorial Day Parade, organized by Peter Wollner Post 288, traditionally steps off at 9 a.m. through historic downtown Cedarburg and is followed by a ceremony at the post. Confirm Monday, May 25, 2026 timing with the chamber or Post 288.

Brookfield

The City of Brookfield Memorial Day Parade is a longstanding Sunday-before-Memorial-Day tradition. The 2025 parade was held Sunday, May 25; for 2026, that maps to Sunday, May 24. Confirm the route and step-off with the City of Brookfield (ci.brookfield.wi.us).

New Berlin

Highland Memorial Park Cemetery at 14875 W. Greenfield Ave. hosts an 11 a.m. Memorial Day Ceremony beginning in Section 16 (southwestern corner). The program features a presentation by the New Berlin Hoeppner-Horn Bros., a rifle salute, and a balloon release.

Waukesha

The Waukesha Allied Veterans Council coordinates several events. The Avenue of Flags at Prairie Home Cemetery, 605 S. Prairie Ave., flies between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. A river ceremony at Veterans Park, 710 N. West Ave., begins at 9 a.m. — bring live flowers (no plastic) to toss into the Fox River. The main service follows at Cutler Park / Les Paul Performance Center, 321 Wisconsin Ave., at 10 a.m.

West Allis

The West Allis Memorial Day Observation Ceremony is held at Veterans Memorial Park at 11 a.m., featuring patriotic songs by the Nathan Hale Chamber Choir, a flag ceremony, rifle salute, taps, and a veterans tribute.

Greendale

The Greendale Veterans Memorial program is a quiet, powerful tribute that traditionally begins around 9:40 a.m. and concludes with prayers, taps, and a moment of silence.

Menomonee Falls

Falls Memorial Fest turns Memorial Day weekend into a community celebration in downtown Menomonee Falls and Village Park. The 2025 edition ran Saturday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. with three stages of live music, a lucky duck derby, beer and wine garden, car show, and a 5K run/walk benefiting Operation Finally Home; the opening ceremony honored fallen local service members. A free veteran’s community concert followed Sunday, May 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Village Park. Confirm 2026 dates with the Falls Memorial Fest organizers.

West Bend

West Bend kicks off its annual Memorial Day Parade at 9:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Veterans Plaza honoring local heroes. In 2025 retired Army Colonel Christopher Kolenda served as keynote speaker.

Milwaukee’s South Suburbs

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works publishes a Memorial Day collection schedule, but family-facing programs in Greenfield, Hales Corners, Cudahy, Oak Creek, Franklin, South Milwaukee, and St. Francis tend to be smaller cemetery and post-based observances rather than full parades — most South Shore communities save their large parades for the Fourth of July. Watch the city pages and local VFW/Legion posts for short remembrance ceremonies on Monday morning, May 25, 2026, including American Legion Post 434 (Greenfield), VFW Post 434 (Cudahy), American Legion Post 245 (Hales Corners), and South Milwaukee American Legion Post 27.

Racine and Kenosha Counties

Racine

The Racine Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Washington Avenue at West Boulevard, traveling north along West Boulevard and concluding at Graceland Cemetery for a remembrance ceremony. West Boulevard between Washington and Osborne Boulevard closes from about 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The Racine Zoo traditionally offers free admission to active-duty military and veterans on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend as part of "Red, White & Zoo" (proof of service required) (Racine County Eye).

Rochester / Burlington Area

The Rochester Memorial Day Parade, one of the longest-running traditions in the state, steps off at 1:30 p.m. with lineup at 1 p.m. at the Rochester Fire Department, 31020 Academy Rd., Burlington, ending at Pioneer Park. The post-parade ceremony features taps, the lowering of the wreath, and a flag-folding ceremony (Racine County Eye).

Union Grove — Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs hosts its annual ceremony at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street, Union Grove, WI 53182 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In 2025 the ceremony took place Sunday, May 25 at 11 a.m.; the 2026 ceremony is expected Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public; arrive early for parking (WDVA; WDVA cemetery page).

Kenosha

The Kenosha Civic Veterans Parade takes place in late June, not Memorial Day weekend (Kenosha County Eye) — but Memorial Day itself brings several solemn cemetery programs. Green Ridge Cemetery, 6604 Seventh Ave., hosts an American Legion Post 21 ceremony at 10 a.m., featuring readings honoring World War II and Korean War veterans interred there. Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, 4300 Green Bay Road, hosts an 11 a.m. program with American Legion David Leet Post 552 that includes the reading of names of all veterans interred at the park during the prior year (Kenosha.com).

Madison and South Central Wisconsin

Madison

American Legion Post 151 hosts the Avenue of Flags ceremony at Sunset Memory Gardens at 2 p.m. The program includes an invocation, roll call of veterans interred at Sunset, placement of a memorial wreath, a Memorial Day address, and a departed veterans roll call. More than 1,500 flags are placed at each veteran’s grave with hundreds more along the road. Bring your own chairs (Spectrum News 1). VFW Post 7591 also conducts services at multiple Madison cemeteries throughout the day (WMTV15).

Monona

The Monona Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Monona Grove High School, traveling south along Monona Drive and ending around noon at Sennett Middle School. The national anthem plays at 9:30 a.m. before step-off. The parade is family-forward with vintage cars, dogs in costume, and an appearance from Bucky Badger. Following the parade, VFW Post 7591 holds services at Blooming Grove Cemetery (11:15 a.m.), Roselawn Memorial (noon), Highland Memorial Cemetery (1 p.m.), and Madison Veterans Memorial Park (2 p.m.) (City Cast Madison).

Cross Plains

The Cross Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and American Legion Unit 245 parade begins at 11 a.m. The post-parade chicken BBQ (pickup at 12:15 p.m.) and music with DJ Jake the Snake at 1 p.m. give the day a community-festival feel (Spectrum News 1).

DeForest

The Village of DeForest hosts its annual Memorial Day Ceremony 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park on North Main Street. In 2025 the guest speaker was Wisconsin DVA Deputy Secretary Christopher McElgunn (WMTV15).

Beloit / South Beloit

The United Veterans Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. on Blackhawk Boulevard near Oakland and travels through downtown Beloit and South Beloit, ending near College Street and Horace White Park (WMTV15).

Fitchburg

The City of Fitchburg hosts its Memorial Day Observance at the Bob Schley Memorial within the Fitchburg Veterans Memorial at Gorman Wayside Park (WMTV15).

Janesville

The Janesville Memorial Day Parade runs down West Milwaukee Street and north on Main Street, with stops at the Doughboy statue and on the Rock River bridge for wreath placements and rifle salutes — a moving tribute that incorporates the river itself into the ceremony (Travel Wisconsin).

Reedsburg

The Reedsburg Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m., followed shortly after at 10 a.m. by a Memorial Day Program at Greenwood Cemetery, 1000 Myrtle Street. Rain location: Reedsburg Area High School (S. Albert Avenue) (WMTV15).

Fort Atkinson

Fort Atkinson kicks off with a 10 a.m. Marine Observance at American Legion Post 166, followed by a 10:30 a.m. parade and an 11 a.m. Joint Honor Guard observance at Evergreen Cemetery (Spectrum News 1).

Oconomowoc

The Oconomowoc Memorial Day Remembrance begins at 10 a.m. at the City Beach band shell with a concert by the Oconomowoc American Legion Band, then proceeds in a processional through downtown. The program ends with a ceremonial wreath toss from the bridge on Walnut Street (Spectrum News 1).

Northeast Wisconsin and the Fox Valley

Green Bay and De Pere

The De Pere Kiwanis Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. at 6th and Grant streets (West De Pere High School) and travels to Kress Library on N. Broadway via 5th Street, Main Avenue, and the Claude Allouez Bridge — about 100 units led by a veteran color guard. The Claude Allouez Bridge closes from 9 a.m. to about noon. Celebrate De Pere at Voyageur Park, 100 William St., runs the entire weekend and includes live music, a marketplace, food, drinks, cardboard boat races, a children’s fishing tournament, a classic car show, drone show after dusk Saturday, and fireworks Sunday at dusk. Admission is $5 ($10 after 6 p.m.); free for veterans with proof of service and kids 6 and under. The Veterans Memorial Ceremony takes place on the main stage at 12:30 p.m. Monday (WBAY).

In Allouez, Heritage Hill State Historical Park, 2640 S. Webster Ave., hosts a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 10 to 11 a.m. with free park admission 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (WBAY).

The Howard Duck Creek VFW Post 7534 hosts a layered series of ceremonies: 8 a.m. at Howard Memorial Park (754 Riverview Dr.), 9 a.m. at St. John’s Cemetery (1198 Pinecrest Rd.), 10 a.m. parade from St. John the Baptist Church (2597 Glendale Ave.) to Velp and Riverview, ~11 a.m. ceremony at Duck Creek Cemetery, then food and live music at noon at Duck Creek Pub (WBAY).

The Green Bay Botanical Garden offers free admission to all veterans and active military on Memorial Day starting at 9 a.m. (Spectrum News 1). The Running to Remember 5K at Fort Howard Memorial Park is an annual 8 a.m. Memorial Day tradition (NBC26).

Appleton

The Appleton Memorial Day Parade & Moment of Remembrance steps off at 9 a.m. at College Avenue and Appleton Street, traveling east on College to Meade, north on Meade to Pacific, and east on Pacific to Riverside Cemetery. The parade is followed immediately by the Moment of Remembrance ceremony inside the cemetery and a shorter ceremony at the American Legion Post 38 plot (Spectrum News 1; NBC26). Sunday cemetery salutes precede the holiday: noon at Moses Montefiore Cemetery (899 E. Woodland Ave.) and 1 p.m. at St. Mary Cemetery (2121 W. Prospect Ave.) (WBAY).

Neenah-Menasha

The Neenah-Menasha Memorial Day Parade is preceded by an 8 a.m. ceremony for those lost at sea on Mill Street, Menasha. The parade travels from Second & Milwaukee streets in Menasha through Commercial Street, Neenah, to Main and Doty. A 10:45 a.m. ceremony follows at Oak Hill Cemetery, Oakridge Rd., Neenah, with a car show and brat fry/bake sale at Lucky Dog’z, 157 S. Green Bay Rd. (WBAY).

Manitowoc

The Manitowoc Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. from Washington and S. 8th streets and travels to Veterans Memorial Park on N. 18th Street, where the ceremony begins around 10:30 a.m. The rain backup is the Citizen Park Recreation Center (Manitowoc.org).

Fond du Lac

The Fond du Lac Memorial Day Parade travels south down Macy Street, ending at Veterans Park with an 11:30 a.m. ceremony (Spectrum News 1). The 14th annual Salute the Troops races — a 10K run/ruck, 5K run/ruck/walk/dog walk, and half-mile kids race — start at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at 555 N. Park Ave. (WBAY).

Other Northeast Communities

New London holds a 10 a.m. ceremony at Taft Park (400 W. North Water St.) with a luncheon at American Legion Post 263 (WBAY). Oconto Falls hosts a full Memorial Weekend Celebration at Memorial Park (500 N. Chestnut Ave.) with live music, carnival rides, a Dash of Color 5K, softball tournament, and Saturday-night fireworks; Monday includes a 10 a.m. service at Woodlawn Cemetery, an 11 a.m. Veterans Monument brick dedication, and a 12:30 p.m. parade. Shawano holds a 10 a.m. Memorial Day Program at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1115 E. Green Bay St. Waupaca’s 9 a.m.–noon service is at VFW Post 1037, 244 Industrial Dr. Iola hosts a downtown parade with a pork roast immediately after at the Iola Historical Society, 222 Depot St. Crivitz holds Red, White & Music at Crivitz Community Veterans Park (515 Park Place) Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Omro’s Car Show & Craft Fair runs 8 a.m.–2 p.m. at 515 East Main St. Waupaca County’s Memorial Miles: Ride to Remember is a 100-mile bicycle ride visiting six area veterans memorials Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (WBAY).

Central Wisconsin

King — Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs holds its statewide Memorial Day ceremony at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, N2666 County Road QQ, King, WI, on Memorial Day Monday at 10 a.m. — confirmed annually by WDVA and free and open to the public (WBAY; WDVA).

Wausau

The Wausau Memorial Day Parade is held the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23, 2026 expected). The 2025 parade started at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church on Stewart Avenue and ended at the Opportunity, Inc. building on River Drive. A Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers ceremony followed at 1 p.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery on Grand Avenue (WSAW). The Restlawn Memorial Park Remembrance Service and Program runs Monday at 11 a.m. (Spectrum News 1).

Stevens Point and Plover

The Portage County Historical Society’s "Lest We Forget" Veterans Memorial Tour of Forest Cemetery takes place the Wednesday before Memorial Day at 6 p.m. ($20 members, $25 non-members, $15 veterans/active duty). On Memorial Day Monday, Plover VFW Post 10262 and American Legion Post 543 conduct a circuit of services: 8 a.m. at McDill Cemetery (Cty Trunk HH), 8:30 a.m. at Liberty Corners (Cty Trunk J), 8:50 a.m. at Maine Cemetery, 9:10 a.m. at the Korean War Memorial at Lake Pacawa, 9:40 a.m. at Restlawn Cemetery (Hwy 54, Wood County), 10 a.m. at Meehan Cemetery, 10:20 a.m. at St. Bronislava Cemetery, 10:40 a.m. at Plover Cemetery, and 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at Plover Village Hall (WSAW).

Rhinelander

A Memorial Day Ceremony takes place at the John and Dori Brown Performing Arts Center at Rhinelander High School at 10:30 a.m., with music from RHS music students and bands (WSAW).

Western Wisconsin

Eau Claire

The Eau Claire Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. starting in Wilson Park and ending in the Haas Fine Arts parking lot, with a program to follow at Owen Park — bring lawn chairs (Visit Eau Claire). In nearby Altoona, River Prairie Park hosts the annual dedication of legacy stones at the Tribute Honor Mall at 2 p.m. Memorial Day, lasting up to an hour. The Eau Claire Express baseball team also opens its season at Carson Park on Memorial Day evening — first pitch 5:05 p.m. (Visit Eau Claire).

La Crosse

The La Crosse Memorial Day Parade has historically stepped off at 9 a.m. at Sixth and Main streets, proceeding to West Avenue and Badger Street and ending at Oak Grove Cemetery. American Legion Post 52 marches under Oak Grove Cemetery’s arched entrance — a beloved local image. Cemetery services are held throughout the day at Campbell, Oak Grove, Woodlawn, Mormon Coulee Memorial Park, French Island, Catholic, Riverside Park band shelter, Gate of Heaven, and Jewish cemeteries (La Crosse Tribune). Onalaska’s parade traditionally begins at 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 336, proceeding to the Onalaska Cemetery Veterans Memorial.

Sparta

The Sparta Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies, hosted by the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce and Sparta VFW Post 211, begins at 10 a.m. on South Water Street, ending at Blyton Park, where the first ceremony takes place. A second ceremony follows at Perch Lake (Spectrum News 1).

Spooner — Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs hosts its annual ceremony at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, N4063 Veterans Way, Spooner, WI. In 2025 the ceremony took place Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. — the program traditionally falls on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The ceremony has featured the Northwinds Brass Band, a Spooner War Birds flyover, posting of service branch flags, prayers, a Missing Man Remembrance, speeches, wreath placements, and a rifle salute by Rice Lake American Legion Post 87 (WDVA; APG-WI). Expect Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Sheboygan and the Lakeshore

Sheboygan

The Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade and Celebration begins with a 9 a.m. parade starting at 7th Street and Center Avenue, traveling north on 7th to Michigan Avenue, west on Michigan to 9th Street, and south on 9th to Fountain Park. The ceremony and brat fry follow at the park (Spectrum News 1).

Statewide Family-Friendly Memorial Day Weekend Events

Beyond the parades and ceremonies, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer across Wisconsin. The Milwaukee County Zoo and most state and county parks open into peak season. Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay opens for the season earlier in May and is in full swing by Memorial Day. Plamann Park’s Children’s Farm in Appleton typically opens Memorial Day weekend (Go Valley Kids).

In Madison, Brat Fest at Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center is the city’s signature Memorial Day weekend tradition — three days of live music, family activities, and brats — joined by Vegan Sausage Fest at Warner Park (noon–4 p.m. Saturday) and the Men4Choice Brat Fry at Brittingham Park (City Cast Madison).

In Milwaukee, the We Energies Summer Kickoff Light Show has illuminated the Hoan Bridge in past Memorial Day weekends (allevents.in) — confirm 2026 plans with the operator. Madison Mallards baseball, Milwaukee Brewers home games, the Eau Claire Express opener, and farmers markets across the state round out the weekend.

In Oshkosh, the Hmong National Memorial Day Festival is an annual Saturday-Sunday celebration at Winnebago County Parks featuring sports, food, music, vendors, a fashion show, and competitions in soccer, volleyball, flag football, dance, and talent (Go Valley Kids).

How to Confirm 2026 Details

Because most communities post final 2026 schedules within two weeks of the holiday, plan to verify dates and times via your local city/village website, county veterans service office, or the host VFW or American Legion post. Useful statewide resources include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (dva.wi.gov), the National Cemetery Administration (cem.va.gov/Memorial-Day), Travel Wisconsin (travelwisconsin.com), and Visit Milwaukee (visitmilwaukee.org). For Northeast Wisconsin, WBAY maintains an updated yearly list (WBAY), and Spectrum News 1 publishes a statewide guide each May (Spectrum News 1).

Whatever you choose — a hometown parade, a service at a national cemetery, or a quiet moment at a community memorial — Memorial Day 2026 in Wisconsin offers more than 100 ways to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Bring a chair, bring the kids, and bring your gratitude.