What to do This Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is here. We’ve rounded up some special Memorial Day celebrations honoring veterans, along with family-friendly events if you’re staying in Houston for the long weekend. 

Memorial Day Celebrations:

Memorial Day at George Ranch Historical Park
Come to the George Ranch Historical Park for a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday. At noon, there will be a gun salute and wreath laying at the Davis Graveyard to recognize brave soldiers lost during the Texas Revolution, Civil War, WWI, and WWII. Later in the afternoon, George Ranch Historical Park will have baking demonstrations, crafts, and a donut-eating competition. Admission: $10-15.

This golden retriever flies off the platform at dock diving competition. (Photo: Alfred Knipper)

Houston Dive Dogs' Memorial Day Bash
All weekend long at Houston Dive Dogs in Brookshire, North America Diving Dogs hosts a dock diving competition. This event is open to the public to view the diving dogs. Read more about the sport of dock diving here.

Memorial Day Wreath Presentation
The Downtown Rotary Club of Houston will honor fallen veterans at the 4th Annual Memorial Day Wreath Presentation at Houston National Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Memorial Day. 

Memorial Day in the Woodlands
Celebrate the official start to summer in the Woodlands. On Sunday evening at Town Green Park, there will be live music, a surprise keynote speaker, and fireworks. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome. Glass is prohibited. This event is free and open to the public.

Memorial Day at Memorial City Mall
On Monday, remember and honor fallen heroes at Memorial City Mall with a patriotic presentation of colors and majestic flyover by the Commemorative Air Force. There will also be a live band, face painting, balloon art, and other surprises. This event is free and open to the public.

Sugar Land Memorial Day Ceremony
On Monday at Sugar Land Memorial Park, pay tribute to those who have fallen. The official ceremony commences at 11 a.m. and concludes at noon with the raising of the flag. This event is free and open to the public.

Run For the Fallen
This Memorial Day weekend, all are invited to join Run For the Fallen, a virtual and in-park run to honor Houston-area service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Sign up for free to run or walk one mile for a service member. 

Special Weekend Events:

Memorial Day Mayhem
On Saturday night at the Toyota Center, celebrate Memorial Day with a hip-hop superstar lineup that includes Lil Durk, 2 Chainz, Trae Tha Truth, DJ Mr. Rogers, Yung Bleu, Coi LeRay, Mooski, Erica Banks, Stunna Bam, and Houston’s Loud Muzik artists Art of Ratchet. Tickets are on sale now.

Big Walls Big Dreams: Dream Big Downtown
On Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., Downtown Houston, in partnership with UP Art Studio, will hold an art extravaganza! Come to the Historic Market Square Houston to view live mural painting, hear live music, and enjoy food and drink. Follow the DIY tour and enjoy Refresh Stops along the way. This event is free and open to the public.

Movie Night at Memorial City Mall
On Saturday night, bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the movie from the greenspace or ask for a seat on the patio of The Rouxpour, Maggiano’s or The Cheesecake Factory. This event is free and open to the public.

Come enjoy live music in the Plaza at CITYCENTRE. (Photo courtesy of CITYCENTRE) 

Live Music in the CityCentre Plaza
Come enjoy live music in the plaza every weekend! This Friday and Saturday at CityCentre, hear live music from Jon David Finney and Kameron Williams.

It’s time to get down with the sound of Philly at the Miller Outdoor Theatre with Philly Soul Sound presented by Community Music Center of Houston!

Philadelphia Soul Sound at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Community Music Center of Houston has a mission to educate, preserve, and perform African-American music traditions. They will be performing at the Miller Outdoor Theatre on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Reserved tickets are no longer available, but seating on the Hill is always open to the public and free.

Evelyn’s Park Open Air Market + Bark in the Park 
On Sunday afternoon, bring your furry friends to the park for a blessing hosted by Bellaire United Methodist Church. In addition, Evelyn’s Park will be hosting an open-air market for visitors.

The Houston Botanic Garden will host its inaugural Sunday Concert Series, May 2-June 6. (Photo courtesy of Houston Botanic Garden)

Sunday Concert Series 
Ancient Cat Society & Axiom Quartet perform this weekend at the Houston Botanic Garden as part of their Sunday Concert Series, included in the cost of general admission. This Sunday, come hear eclectic folk pop and a dynamic string quartet. 

Local Sports:

Houston Astros vs. Padres, Astros vs. Red Sox
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Astros face the San Diego Padres at Minute Maid. On Monday, the Astros face the Boston Red Sox. During the game on Memorial Day, May 31, the Astros will pay tribute to those who serve and have served our country with a special pregame ceremony. In addition, there will be a Memorial Day Hat ticket add-on presented by Occidental for $20. This package will feature Astros hats decorated with colors from each branch of the military for fans to choose from at time of purchase.

Skeeters vs. Isotopes
Thursday through Monday, the Skeeters face the Isotopes at Constellation Field.

DASH vs. Red Stars
On Saturday, DASH will face the Red Stars at BBVA Stadium.

Other ways to spend the weekend:

Hockney - Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature 
See the work of David Hockney and Vincent Van Gogh side-by-side at this exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. View this exhibit by purchasing a general admission ticket. Hockney - Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature will be open through June 20.

The Dr. Seuss Experience will be in Houston until August 15. (Photo: Marleine Pacilio)

Dr. Seuss Experience
Attend the Dr. Seuss Experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The interactive and immersive Seuss-tastic experience takes guests through nine different Dr. Seuss books. The experience will be open through August. Tickets are available online in advance.  

Shallow marshes at the entrance to the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary are home to bullfrogs, turtles and tadpoles, as well as a wide deck to stroll through the trees. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Hiking 
Consider taking an easy hike on tucked-away trails in the Houston area. Read about some of our favorite hiking trails and places to explore in Houston here.

A shopper purchases freshly cut flowers at the Heights Mercantile Farmers Market. (Photo: Megan Snell)

Farmers Markets 
Head to one of Houston's many farmers markets for an assortment of produce. It's a super weekend to try out new veggies and experiment with recipes.

"Let's Play" by Jessica “Jexxi” Padilla at Highland Village. (Photo: © Alex Barber)

Murals Around Town 
In Houston, artists have taken to the street! You'll enjoy spotting the Mini Murals around town.

The Nature Playscape abuts the woodlands of the Houston Arboretum, where wildlife and plant life thrive. 

Houston Arboretum’s New Nature Playscape
The new play area at the Houston Arboretum, which had been closed since its installation mid-pandemic, recently opened to the public.

Editor's note: Before you head out, be sure to check event sites to monitor any Covid- or weather-related changes.