Are you looking for the best things to do for Memorial Day Weekend in Florida?
Florida’s Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer.
It is a day to remember those who fought for our freedom and a day to spend quality time with those that we love.
With summer in the air, we want to get outdoors!
Whether it be burgers and brews, fireworks, music, and patriotic parades, there is so much to do.
So, grab your stars and let freedom ring!
I have lined up 15 Memorial Day events in Florida where your patriotic heart can beat red, white, and blue.
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1. Silent Disco Party and Fire Spinning (Destin, Florida)
Destin delivers one of the most unique and fun Memorial Day events in Florida right in the heart of Destin Harbor.
Harborwalk Village is celebrating all Memorial Day Weekend, with live entertainment Saturday night at the waterfront.
Then the Vintage Air Show kicks off Sunday night with live music to follow in Destin, Florida.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
The Gulf’s sky lights up with fireworks at 9 p.m. and don’t miss the flaming fire spinning performance.
Put your dancing shoes on and feel the beats of the Silent Disco Party on
Florida Memorial Day sounds off at 7 p.m.
All ages can come and shake their booty and headphones are provided. So book your vacation rental at Emerald Grande ASAP.
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2. Grilling and Chillin’ in Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach can be a busy beach hot spot so don’t expect Florida’s Memorial Day Weekend to be any different.
It tends to be one of the busiest times of the year!
You can find Panama City Beach’s Veterans Memorial within the 70-acre Aaron Bessant Park.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
They also host the city’s Veteran’s Memorial Ceremony and is a local favorite hangout for the Florida Memorial Day Weekend.
Its grills gone wild over at Harley-Davidson Panama Beach.
Stop in for their patriotic treats all Memorial Day weekend and some grilling in honor of Florida Memorial Day on Monday.
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3. Free Concert and Games (Tallahassee, Florida)
Tallahassee’s Downtown Concert Series gets underway on the Florida Memorial Day Weekend.
Pack up a blanket, grab a chair, and bring some of your favorite snacks to the BYOB event in Cascades Park.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
They have an amazing lineup with their free concert starting at 7 p.m. featuring The Hails.
It’s a laid-back Saturday night out in Tally with yard games and fun activities on site too!
4. Florida Folk Festival (White Springs, Florida)
Ever wondered about life here in Florida through the different generations?
Florida Folk Festival will be showcasing Florida’s traditions for 3 days from May 26th – 28th.
Held in White Springs at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Florida’s heritage is being celebrated for its 71st year.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
You will hear the sounds of over 300 performances, dance to the concerts into the night, learn how to square dance, or kick back and relax to a jam session.
The Florida Folk Festival is one of the Memorial Day events in Florida that is interactive with demonstrations and workshops.
I bet you haven’t made your own pine needle basket before!
5. The Blue Crab Festival (Palatka, Florida)
Palatka Florida’s Blue Crab Festival is a free Memorial Day weekend family event that has been entertaining all ages for almost 30 years.
It kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 26th, and keeps crawling all weekend long. Concerts run all day on both Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28 across several stages.
Gatorland Water Ski Show Team puts on a crabulous show on the waterfront!
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
There’s a crab cook-off, local vendors with jewelry, arts and crafts, and a gigantic kid’s zone.
So, scuttle on over and be sure you and the gang don’t miss out on this annual tradition.
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6. Green Cove Springs Riverfest (Green Cove Springs, Florida)
Florida Memorial Day has Spring Run filling up with cute little duckies as they race to the finish line for the 8th annual Rubber Duck Race.
Green Cove Springs Riverfest takes place on Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Face painting, bouncy slides, and pony rides keep the kid’s zone packed with so much to do.
And for the adults, there are over 100 food and craft vendors and lots of live entertainment.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
Memorial Day events in Florida never forgot to pay tribute to the veterans throughout all the fun and festivities.
Green Cove Springs Riverfest recognizes the day with military vehicles on display along with MVPA memorabilia.
Catch the Dreamland Squadron perform an aerial flyover in honor of Florida Memorial Day.
Then the night closes off with fireworks over St. Johns River, so try and stay to the end if you can!
7. Memorial 4 Day Weekend at Sunset Walk (Kissimmee, Florida)
It may be a 3-day weekend but Sunset Walk’s Promenade will be rock’n n roll’n this Florida Memorial Day Weekend for 4 days!
Festivities begin on Friday, May 26, and continue right through to the official Florida Memorial Day.
Fired Up Fridays car show serves up nostalgia followed by tributes to the 1980s and 1990s.
Margarita Boulevard lines with classic and modern cars of Show Car Saturday Night at 4 p.m.
And local artisans fill up the Street Market with crafts and one-of-a-kind finds.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
It’s a party in the USA as Sunday and Monday blast the hits and classics.
There are bands and DJs all Memorial Day Weekend and street performers and stilt walkers entertain at this free admission event.
8. Rock N’ Blues Concert and Car Show (Casselberry, Florida)
Go vintage this Memorial Day weekend in Florida! It’s cars, cars, and more cars.
Starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 27th enthusiasts can fall back in love with over 150 cars of yesteryear.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
From classic cars to hot rods and muscle cars, Cruisin Orlando brings back all the favorites at this free event.
Don’t forget your blanket and chairs for the Rock n’ Blues concert sounding off at 5.
Then the Georgia Thunderbolts take center stage at 7:30 p.m. after the events Veterans Recognition Ceremony.
This Florida Memorial Day Weekend takes place in Lake Concord Park and will have food trucks and vendors too along with awesome live music.
9. Orlando Carnival Downtown (Orlando, Florida)
Orlando Carnival Downtown is one of the hottest Memorial Day events in Florida when the island comes to The City Beautiful.
Friday night starts the annual event off with Carnival on the Runway with carnival costumes out strutting the runway.
Then Saturday explodes in color from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Orlando Carnival J’ouvert. Get ready for paint, water, and powder!
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
Back in Time Lime kicks off at 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. for an authentic Caribbean experience.
Fire-breathing, steel pans, and all the food, music, and culture will leave you crushin’ on the Caribbean.
But if you can’t make it out to all 3 days then Sunday, May 28th is when you want to party like a pineapple at this Florida Memorial Day weekend event.
It’s the Mas Band Parade & Concert starting at 1 p.m. and lasting all day and into the night.
10. Memorial Day Celebrations and Concert (Boca Raton, Florida)
Boca Raton honors the men and women of our military who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
The Florida Memorial Day ceremony takes place at 9 a.m. on Monday and is free for those that want to attend.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
The evening delivers a concert under the beautiful Florida skies.
Mizner Park Amphitheatre opens its doors at 6 p.m. for the free entertainment that runs from 7 p.m. until 8:30 pm.
All are welcome to bring their chairs and blankets to get comfy. If you forget you can rent one for $5 and there is no rental fee for those that are active military and veterans.
11. Sunset Music Festival (Tampa, Florida)
You and your friends will be raving about your Memorial Day Weekend in Florida after the Sunset Music Festival in Tampa.
It’s one of the largest events every year in Tampa pumping up over 50,000 electronic music fans.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
Raymond James Stadium will have the sounds of over 40 artists on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28th.
It’s 2 days of light shows, pulsing EDM music, and dancing like no one’s watching.
So, put on your favorite festival outfit and dance away the Florida Memorial Day!
12. Tribute to Heroes Block Party and Parade (Lakewood Ranch, Florida)
About half an hour outside of Sarasota, in Lakewood Ranch, is one of the area’s favorite patriotic annual parades over the Florida Memorial Day Weekend.
Sunday, May 28th Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street becomes center stage for the best block party in northeastern Sarasota.
But get there early with your chair because thousands come out to celebrate every year.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
The fun begins at 6 p.m. with the pre-block party before the festive parade fills up the street at 7 p.m.
And bring everyone in the family, even the furry four-legged ones! They are welcome too, just don’t forget their leash.
There will be food and drinks you can buy and lots of activities to keep the young ones busy.
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13. Veterans Memorial Day Cruise (Naples, Florida)
With sunshine on your mind and vacation mode on, a Veterans Memorial Day Cruise is a brilliant way to end your Memorial Day weekend in Florida.
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
This leisurely free cruise aboard the Songo River Queen II takes place on the crystal-clear waters of Naples Long Lake.
It is designed for those that are actively or have served in the United States military and their immediate family.
Just make sure to reserve your spot for your and your family.
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14. Hyundai Air & Sea Show (Miami Beach, Florida)
Miami Beach comes alive in an explosion of shows every which way you look. Up in the sky, out on the sea, and on land.
The Hyundai Air & Sea Show is held both on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, and no one day is better than the other.
Plus, the Magic City knows how to put on a show covering four city blocks along Ocean Drive!
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
The sea comes alive with the Cigarette Offshore Powerboat Exhibit, jet ski freestyle exhibitions, and flyboard demonstrations.
While the Music Explosion brings Big & Rich country music superstars onto the stage along with awesome performances of US Military Bands.
The skies are popping both day and night with air events!
Known as “The Greatest Show Above the Earth” all 6 branches of the U.S. Military are on show keeping the skies filled with excitement.
And the Veterans Florida Fireworks Extravaganza paints the sky with red, white, and blue!
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15. Great American Beach Party (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Fort Lauderdale is world famous for its beach and a great American vacation hot spot throughout time.
So it only makes sense that they host the Great American Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale.
This traditional family-friendly event is held over the Florida Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 27 from 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
And best of all it’s free!!
Why We Love This Memorial Day Weekend Event in Florida
The day is full of family activities with a kid’s zone and face painting. Enjoy the native village, live music and bands, an art show, and a classic car show.
SOCOM Para-Commandos Parachute Jump entertains the skies followed by a tribute to the U. S. Armed Forces.
A beach party isn’t complete without fun at the water!
So don’t forget to check out the water slides and sand sculpting contest on the beach north of Las Olas Boulevard.
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My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do for Memorial Day Weekend in Florida
Florida is bursting with outstanding fun things to do for Memorial Day.
Whether you reconnect with nature, immerse yourself in culture or spend some time relaxing, there’s something for everyone.
Until next time, Happy Florida Travels!