Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027. The national observance is at Arlington National Cemetery. Libraries and schools close; spraygrounds open.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Ceremony details come from Arlington National Cemetery; closings from Arlington County’s holiday schedule, the library’s holiday closings and the Arlington Public Schools calendar. The 2027 ceremony details are not out yet; dates marked 2026 are last year’s.

Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31. The nation’s main observance is in Arlington, at the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery, where the president traditionally speaks. The week before, soldiers of The Old Guard place a flag at every headstone. County offices, libraries and schools close on the holiday. For the cemetery, call 877-907-8585; for county services, 703-228-3000.

What this means for you

  • Ceremony: the 2026 National Memorial Day Observance was free and open to the public, with pre-event programming from 10:45 a.m. and the formal program around noon.
  • Getting there: take Metro to Arlington Cemetery; walking to the amphitheater was not allowed in 2026; attendees rode the tram.
  • Closed May 31, 2027: county offices, libraries, Arlington Public Schools.
  • Open: spraygrounds, from Memorial Day weekend.

The National Memorial Day Observance

Arlington National Cemetery hosts two national ceremonies a year at the Memorial Amphitheater, including Memorial Day; each draws about 5,000 people. Here is how the 2026 observance, the 158th, worked on Monday, May 25, 2026:

2026
Where Memorial Amphitheater
Time Pre-event programming from 10:45 a.m.; formal program around noon
Admission Free and open to the public; first-come, first-served seating
Getting there Tram from the Welcome Center only, from about 8:30 a.m. until full; no walking to or from the amphitheater
Parking Free in the Welcome Center garage, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Metro encouraged
Wreath laying At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, official participants only
Livestream On DVIDS

Banned items in 2026 included umbrellas, large bags or backpacks, animals other than service or guide animals, glass or metal containers, alcohol, bicycles, coolers, picnic baskets, tripods, selfie sticks, drones, aerosol cans and oversized signs. Clear plastic disposable water bottles were allowed; hard water bottles were not. Everyone passed a security checkpoint, and REAL ID was required for anyone over 18 riding onto the cemetery in a vehicle. Expect delays and movement freezes during the ceremony.

The cemetery is normally open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Memorial Day 2026 it stopped admitting visitors at 4 p.m. for an evening event. Our Arlington National Cemetery guide has everyday visiting information.

Flags In

Just before Memorial Day weekend, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) places about 250,000 flags at headstones and columbarium areas across the cemetery. The cemetery says it takes nearly 1,500 soldiers four hours. In 2026, Flags In was Thursday, May 21. All flags are removed after Memorial Day, before the cemetery opens to the public.

What is open and closed

Service Monday, May 31, 2027
County government offices Closed (county holiday)
Public libraries Closed
Arlington Public Schools Closed (holiday)
Parking meters Not enforced on county holidays; permit parking still in effect
Spraygrounds Open for the season from Memorial Day weekend

The county’s holiday schedule also covers courts, the Treasurer’s Office and ART buses; tax payments can still be made online.

Trash and recycling

Arlington County’s 2024 Memorial Day notice listed regular collection for curbside trash, recycling and yard waste routes on the holiday, and on Labor Day 2026 curbside routes and brush, metal and e-waste pickups also ran as normal. The Household Hazardous Materials and Electronics Recycling Center and the Earth Products Recycling Yard closed for Labor Day 2026. The county posts each year’s notice the week before; call the DES Customer Contact Center at 703-228-5000 with questions. Our trash and recycling guide has the regular schedule.

The start of summer

  • Spraygrounds, pools and camps: see our summer camps and pools guide.
  • Arlington Public Schools’ last day of the 2026-27 year is Thursday, June 17, 2027, an early release day.

Related guides: history and landmarks, Fourth of July fireworks and getting around Arlington.

Frequently asked questions

When is Memorial Day 2027?

Monday, May 31, 2027. Arlington County offices, public libraries and Arlington Public Schools are closed.

Can the public attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery?

Yes. In 2026 the National Memorial Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater was free and open to the public, with first-come seating, a tram ride from the Welcome Center and security screening. The 2027 details are posted on the cemetery’s Memorial Day page in the spring.

When is Flags In at Arlington National Cemetery?

Just before Memorial Day weekend. In 2026 it was Thursday, May 21, when soldiers of The Old Guard placed about 250,000 flags at headstones and columbarium areas.

Is trash picked up on Memorial Day in Arlington?

In recent years, yes: the county’s 2024 Memorial Day notice listed regular curbside collection. Check the county’s notice the week before for 2027.

When do Arlington spraygrounds open?

Memorial Day weekend. The county’s seven spraygrounds run through Labor Day weekend.