Memorial Day weekend events in the Historic Triangle include patriotic ceremonies, wreath-laying services
HISTORIC TRIANGLE – Summer unofficially arrives this weekend.
The Historic Triangle will commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, with wreath-laying services and reflective ceremonies in Williamsburg and Yorktown. Entrance fees at Colonial National Historical Park will be waived in honor of the holiday.
Other events this weekend include the kickoff of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series at Riverwalk Landing, Rock the Dock at Billsburg Brewery and a World Bee Celebration at Jamestown Settlement.
Below is our guide to what’s happening May 21 – 25, starting with Memorial Day programs and concluding with a roundup of this weekend’s events.
Memorial Day Events 2026
Williamsburg
Palace Circle | May 25 | 10 a.m.
Join The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for a wreath-laying event honoring the U.S. military members who sacrificed their lives to defend our nation. Free & open to the public. 10 a.m.
62nd Annual Memorial Day Celebration
Williamsburg Memorial Park | May 25 | 10 a.m.
The annual Memorial Day Celebration features patriotic tributes in recognition of those who gave their lives in service to the United States. There will be an honor guard presentation, musical performances, a ceremonial wreath laying and special guest speakers. Free & open to the public.
Yorktown
Grace Episcopal Church | May 25 | 10 a.m.
Historic Grace Episcopal Church will hold a Memorial Day worship service followed by a playing of “Taps.” All in attendance are invited to the cemetery to pay their respects to those who have served the nation. Free & open to the public.
York County Memorial Day Ceremony
York Hall | May 25 | 12 p.m.
York County’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at the War Memorial in front of York Hall. Highlights include a keynote speech, wreath-laying ceremony, presentation of Military Service Flags, National Anthem and the playing of “Taps.” Free & open to the public.
Newport News
Victory Arch (25th Street & West Avenue) | 11 a.m.
Newport News’ remembrance ceremony honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives to secure our nation’s freedom. The program is hosted by American Legion Braxton-Perkins Post 25. Free & open to the public.
Memorial Day Free Admission
Several museums across the region are also extending free admission offers for Memorial Day, including:
Colonial National Historical Park
The National Park Service (NPS) is offering free admission to Colonial National Historical Park on May 25 in honor of Memorial Day. (Note: A $15 Preservation Virginia admission fee still applies for entrance into portions of Historic Jamestowne).
The Virginia War Museum invites the community to celebrate the legacy of our veterans and dive deeper into America’s military history. Admission to the museum will be free for everyone on May 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To commemorate Memorial Day and Military Appreciation Month, Colonial Williamsburg is offering free single-day admission to all active-duty Military Reservists, Retirees, Veterans, National Guardsmen and their immediate dependents, through May 31.
Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation will provide free admission to veteran, active duty, reserve and retired military personnel – and up to three direct family members – with military identification on May 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional Historic Triangle-Area Events, May 22 – 25
Saturday, May 23
- World Bee Day Celebration | Jamestown Settlement | Commemorate the 404th anniversary of the first recorded honeybees in North America. Jamestown Settlement’s museum shops will feature vendor demonstrations, samplings and tastings. The shops are free & open to the public. 10 am – 4:30 pm.
- Williamsburg Masonic Lodge End of Spring Breakfast | 233 Francis St. E | Hot coffee, tasty grub and good folks– that’s a morning done right at the CW Masonic Lodge. On May 23, Mason Cooks will be hard at work making you, your family and friends a hot breakfast in their historic building. View the full menu here. Breakfast is only $10 (cash) per person at the door. No tips or tax. 8 – 11 a.m.
- Rock the Dock | Billsburg Brewery | Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a family-friendly event featuring The Deloreans, Bad Habit, Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe, Skinner Box and DJ Kudlz. Food trucks will be on site. Free admission. 11 am – 11 pm.
- Colonial Dance Instruction | Yorktown Library | Stop by the library for an afternoon of family-friendly colonial fun. Guests will learn dance steps from the Youth Virginia Regiment in preparation for the upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. Free. 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
- Lighting of the Cressets | Duke of Gloucester Street | Duke of Gloucester Street will come alive at night with strolling musicians for the fan-favorite Lighting of the Cressets. Free. 8 – 10 pm.
- Bird Walk | New Quarter Park | The Williamsburg Bird Club will host a guided bird walk through New Quarter Park on May 23. Park in the lot near the park office. Bring binoculars if you have them or borrow a pair from the office. Kids welcome. Free & open to the public. 8 – 10 am.
- Tubing on the Rappahannock | James City County Recreation Center | Embark on a day trip to Fredericksburg to tube down the Rappahannock River. Pack a lunch and meet at the JCC Recreation Center. $35. See the website to sign up. Ages 12+. 9 am – 3 pm.
- SLAM Connection | Williamsburg Library | This program focuses on observation, writing and performance in a judgment-free space where participants can learn about life in another person’s shoes. For ages 13+. Free. 1:30 – 4:15 pm.
- Williamsburg Farmers Market | Downtown Williamsburg | Shop from over 40 vendors offering produce, prepared foods and baked goods, flowers, artisan chocolate, local honey, handmade soaps and more. Live music is performed weekly. Free admission. 8 am – noon.
- Yorktown Market Days | Riverwalk Landing | Find a wide variety of fresh produce, handcrafted goods and specialty items at Yorktown Market Days. This week, East of Down will perform on the Riverwalk Landing stage. Free. 8 am – noon.
- Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Find fresh produce, baked goods, artisan-crafted products and more at Toano’s outdoor farmers market. Free admission. 9 am – noon.
- Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village’s weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am – noon.
- Flute & Organ Recital | Bruton Parish Church | Enjoy a candlelight recital featuring flutist Christin Ertell and organist Cheryl Van Ornam from Richmond. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm
Multi-Day
- Opera in Williamsburg: Marriage of Figaro | Kimball Theatre | May 22 – 26 | Attend a live, fully staged opera featuring world-class singers. This program is presented in the original languages with English supertitles. Tickets are available here.
- The Emerging History of American Contrabands: A Symposium | Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center | May 22 – 23 | This two-day, national symposium convenes at Fort Monroe – the site where self-emancipated men and women forced the United States to confront the meaning of freedom during the Civil War. Descendants, scholars, archivists, genealogists and community historians will come together to surface new research, restore names and stories long buried in the margins. Free & open to the public.
- The Bodacious Bazaar | Hampton Roads Convention Center | May 22 – 24 | This 3-day shopping extravaganza features unique, handmade goods from a diverse variety of artisans, crafters and small business owners. Shop for everything from gourmet foods to distinctive gifts while supporting local entrepreneurs. Click here for ticket information.
- The Great American Birthday Quilt Exhibition | Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center | Daily, 9:30 am – 5 pm | The Great American Birthday Quilt, created by Visit Williamsburg in collaboration with the Muscarelle Museum of Art, will be displayed throughout 2026. The meaningful piece brings together squares from people across the country to contribute to a powerful, shared story on America’s 250th birthday. Free & open to the public.
- Picturing Freedom: Harriet Tubman and the Combahee River Raid | Hampton University Museum | Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, through June 5 | Organized by the Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, SC, this multi-media exhibition is inspired by Dr. Edda Fields-Black’s 2025 Pulitzer Prize Award-Winning Book, “Combee: Harriet Tubman, The Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War.” Free & open to the public.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that Rock the Dock will be held on Saturday, May 23. A previous version incorrectly listed Friday, May 22 as the date for the event. -Editor
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