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  • 10 ways to celebrate Memorial Day
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10 ways to celebrate Memorial Day

From parades, ceremonies and festivals to take-home grill kits and hotel staycation packages, here’s how to honor our fallen military while kicking off the unofficial start of summer with family and friends.

By Kelly Magyarics May 21, 2021 at 11:38 am

“Flags In” at Arlington National Cemetery

Honor America’s fallen heroes with this annual tradition that’s been occurring for more than 60 years. It begins on May 27 at 2 p.m., when members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (known as The Old Guard) place flags in front of 228,000 headstones and at the bottom of 7,000 niche rows in Arlington Cemetery’s Columbarium Courts and the Niche Wall—all in four hours. The flags will remain all weekend and are a moving sight to behold. // 1 Memorial Ave., Fort Myer; free

Viva! Vienna! Festival

This family- and community-oriented event held on May 29 to May 31 is a celebration of Memorial Day with rides, fun, food, entertainment, and crafts, with all of the proceeds donated to charitable, community, and humanitarian organizations. Space is limited, so order tickets soon. // 245 Maple Ave., Vienna; $5/non-rider pass, $20/unlimited rides

Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival

Held in Oronoco Bay Park on May 29 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., this annual event features musicians performing different styles of jazz. It’s free, but attendance is limited, so register online soon to secure your spot. Food is also available for pre-order. // 100 Madison Street, Alexandria; free

Memorial Day Festival and Parade in Falls Church

Happening on May 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., this tradition promises fun for the whole family, with a 3K Fun Run, Veterans Ceremony (11 a.m.), and parade plus amusement rides, arts and crafts, pony rides, live entertainment, and food. // 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church; free

Rolling Thunder Package at Kimpton George Hotel

In support of the annual Memorial Day Rolling to Remember motorcycle cruise, the Capitol Hill hotel is offering a package designed for bikers. The hotel’s general manager, Hisham Ahmed, is an avid motorcyclist and knows that most district hotels won’t allow motorcycles to park at their hotels, so he is waiving the liability and parking costs. The package includes two nights of accommodations, $25 dining credit to Bistro Bis, complimentary motorcycle self-parking in the garage for two nights, and a donation to Rolling to Remember, and is available for stays May 27 to May 31. // 15 E St. NW, Washington, DC; starting at $197

At-Home Grill Kits from Baker’s Daughter

Chef Matt Baker’s offerings serve four—just add charcoal or propane. Kits include a choice of protein (Roseda Farms New York strip, filet mignon, or salmon), sides, sauce, and a family-style mixed-green salad and veggie spread. Enhance your Memorial Day meal with add-ons like lobster tail and crab cakes. The kits are available for pick up May 28 to May 31 and can be ordered online. // 1402 Okie St. NE, Washington, DC; $80-$125

Memorial Day Packages at Thompson Hotel

The Navy Yard hotel is offering two options to celebrate the holiday and kick off summer. Memorial Day Weekend, One Day at a Time includes a $50 credit to use in the recently reopened rooftop bar Anchovy Social, while Memorial Memories in the Making includes a $25 credit to use in Anchovy Social as well as overnight parking. Both packages are available May 28 to May 31 and must be booked by May 21. // 221 Tingey St. SE, Washington, DC; starting at $236/night

Memorial Day Events at Atlas Brew Works

The Ivy City location will kick off the weekend with a crawfish boil on May 29, with seatings at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. on the brewery’s expanded socially distant patio, with a maximum of six people to a table. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online and include a six-pack of beer and a pound of crawfish per person. The Louisiana Boys’ crawfish will also be available a la carte. On May 31, Navy Yard residents can join the Half Street team for $5 perennial pints of Bullpen Pilsner, Dance of Days, Ponzi IPA, District Common, Silent Neighbor, and Blood Orange Gose all day long, along with Andy’s Pizza, on its expansive outdoor patio. The location will show evening Washington Nationals games on a projector screen outside of The Garden alley space. // Multiple locations

Fare Well Plant-Based Appetizers To-Go

The housemade charcuterie-and-cheese sampler offers a plant-based appetizer option for Memorial Day cookouts. The package includes cashew-almond cheddar, herbed cashew chèvre, smoked cashew mozzarella, capicollo, chorizo, pepperoni, and other meats and cheeses along with pickles, spicy mustard, fig jam, and thyme crackers, all made in house. Order online for pick-up or delivery. // 406 H St. NE, Washington, DC; $70

Lebanese Taverna Take-Home Grill Kits

Available to order online and pick-up at all Lebanese Taverna restaurant locations and market from May 27 to May 31, the take-home grill kits feed four to six people and include six uncooked chicken kebabs, four uncooked kafta kebabs, two pounds of Lebanese potato salad, two pounds of watermelon and feta salad, one pound of hummus, and pita bread. // Multiple locations; $79, $32 to add on four uncooked lamb kabobs

For more summer events around NoVA, subscribe to our Things to Do newsletter.

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