As New Yorkers settle into the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day weekend across the five boroughs is shaping up to be a mix of remembrance, community events, beach reopenings, and packed outdoor gatherings despite a rainy forecast. From historic parades in Brooklyn and Queens to waterfront walks and citywide cultural events, the holiday weekend is bringing thousands of residents outside before the summer season officially kicks off.
According to CBS News, one of the newest additions to the city’s Memorial Day calendar is the inaugural Memorial Day Walk hosted by Five Borough Veterans. The event begins Sunday afternoon at Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn, then crosses the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan, with participants stopping at several military memorials throughout the city, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, the Korean War Memorial, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Elsewhere across the city, long-running neighborhood parades continue traditions dating back generations, including Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade in Bay Ridge and the 107th Staten Island Memorial Day Parade.
Queens is also packed with events throughout the weekend. The Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade and the College Point Memorial Day Parade are both scheduled for Sunday, while the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade returns Monday afternoon.
Organizers for the Queens event said the march will continue “rain or shine,” even as heavy rain is expected to linger into Sunday afternoon before easing later in the day. Ridgewood and Rockaway Beach are also hosting Monday parades, with multiple street closures announced throughout the borough.
For New Yorkers looking to avoid crowded beaches or packed public pools during Memorial Day weekend, platforms like Swimply have become an increasingly popular alternative. The platform allows users to rent private pools, sports courts, hot tubs, and backyards by the hour through its mobile app and website.
The holiday weekend is also bringing major crowds to some of the city’s most recognizable seasonal attractions. Public beaches, including Coney Island and Rockaway Beach, officially reopen for swimming with lifeguards on duty, while outdoor destinations like Governors Island and The High Line are expected to see heavy foot traffic throughout the weekend.
Cultural events are also drawing attention, including DanceAfrica at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which features live performances, vendors, and food markets.
Tourist destinations and museums are also leaning into the holiday crowds. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting aviation-focused programming throughout the weekend, while sightseeing cruises around Manhattan continue to attract visitors looking for skyline and Statue of Liberty views from the water.
Smorgasburg’s seasonal food market in Williamsburg is also expected to remain one of the city’s busiest outdoor dining destinations as New Yorkers balance holiday celebrations with Memorial Day commemorations across the city.
