Top Must-Attend Memorial Day Ceremonies
and Events in New Jersey
What Makes Memorial Day Special in New Jersey
Memorial Day in New Jersey is more than just the unofficial start of summer—it's a deeply rooted tradition that blends solemn remembrance with unique local culture and celebration.
Like the rest of the nation, New Jersey honors fallen military heroes on this day, but its distinctive settings and community spirit add a unique flavor to the commemoration.
Tributes and Parades
One of the most striking features of Memorial Day in New Jersey is the way its towns commemorate the holiday. Throughout the state, communities host patriotic parades and ceremonies with many towns holding services offering a serene setting to reflect on the sacrifices of service members.
Historic Ties
New Jersey has a rich military history, playing a key role in the Revolutionary War and serving as home to several military bases, such as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. These historic connections make Memorial Day especially meaningful. Towns like Morristown and Princeton often hold events that also reflect on the state’s past contributions to America’s freedom.
A Blend of Tradition and Celebration
After solemn tributes, New Jerseyans dive into Memorial Day festivities with barbecues, local festivals, and the famous “Shore traffic” tradition—an annual rite of passage where thousands head to the Jersey Shore to kick off summer. It’s a day where reflection meets relaxation, all with a signature Garden State touch.
Community-Driven Spirit
What sets New Jersey apart is its strong sense of community. From large cities like Newark to small towns like Red Bank, Memorial Day events are often grassroots efforts, organized by local veterans' groups, schools, and civic organizations. This tight-knit involvement gives the holiday a personal and heartfelt tone.
In New Jersey, Memorial Day is both a tribute to national sacrifice and a celebration of local identity—honoring the past while embracing the present, with sand between your toes and patriotism in the air.
However, at its core, the holiday remains a time to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who served our country with honor.
2025 North Jersey Memorial Day Weekend Events
Memorial Day Weekend at an Overnight Camping Resort
Friday, May 23rd - Monday May 26, 2025
Kymer's Camping Resort
69 Kymer Road
Branchville, NJ
This overnight event features a special Memorial Day weekend camping programs at their 200 scenic acre camp grounds in the Kittatinny Mountains.
Campsite options include:
Trailer Campsite, Tent Campsite, Luxury Tent Rental, Park Model Rental, or a Cabin rental.
Living History Encampment
Sunday, May 25, 2025: 00 PM to 4:00 PM
front of Town Hall (1976 Morris Ave),
Union Township, NJ
This event features an immersive experience of life during the Revolutionary War era. The encampment will feature: Maxwell's Artillery, demonstrating period cannons and military tactics. and members of the 1st New Jersey Regiment showcasing authentic tents and equipment.
2025 North Jersey Memorial Day Parades and Ceremonies
Listed by earliest date:
Secaucus Memorial Day Parade
Saturday, May 17, 2025; @Noon
Secaucus, NJ
Assembly will be on Enterprise Avenue North, just past the 5th Street gate and will proceed North on 5th Street to Flanagan Way Turn right on Flanagan Way, Left onto Plaza Center Turn right into Buchmuller Park There will be food and entertainment in Buchmuller Park immediately following the parade.
Borough of Hawthorne Memorial Day Service & Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; @ 1:30pm
Borough Hall
Hawthorne, NJ
The Parade will kick-off at the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Rea Avenue. The Route is as follows - The Parade proceeds South on Lafayette Avenue to Vreeland Avenue, where it turns right and heads West to Parmelee Avenue; the Parade turns left and continues South on Parmelee Avenue, passing Hawthorne High School, to Diamond Bridge Avenue. At Diamond Bridge Avenue the Parade turns left and continues East on Diamond Bridge Avenue to the corner of Diamond Bridge Avenue and Lafayette Avenue where it turns left and proceeds North to the Borough Hall and the reviewing stand.
Glen Ridge Memorial Day Parade
Monday May 26, 2025 @11am
Glen Ridge, NJ
The parade will kick off at Sherman Avenue & Baldwin Street and proceeds down Ridgewood Avenue
Ho-Ho-Kus Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025 @10:30am
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
The parade will kick off at Sheridan and Ardmore Avenues and conclude at the War Memorial on East Franklin Turnpike.
Livingston Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade
Monday, May 26,, 2025; @10am
The parade will kick-off on S. Livingston Avenue and will end at Congressional Way.
New Providence Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025 @ 10:00 am
The will kick-off on Springfield Avenue and continue to Academy Street.
Newton Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025 @ 10am
The parade route will be Spring Street to Moran Street to Memory Park.
Parsippany - Troy Hills Memorial Day Parade
Monday,
May 26, 2025: at 12:00 PM
The parade will kick off at N. Beverwyck Road at Katherine Drive and ends at N. Beverwyck Road at Volunteers Park.
Union Twp Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; at 10am
Kick-off @ 10 am beginning at the VFW (2012 High Street), passing the Pearl Harbor Square on Stuyvesant Ave.
Wayne Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; 10 AM
The parade kick-off at the Ramapo Shopping Plaza, ending at the Wayne Municipal Building.
West Essex (West Caldwell) Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; @9:30AM
Held in conjunction with the surrounding towns of Roseland, Caldwell, West Caldwell, Fairfield and Essex Fells.
The parade begins and continues for 1 mile along Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell and concludes with a Memorial Day ceremony at Crane Park in West Caldwell.
Wyckoff Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; 11:30am
The parade will kick off at Wyckoff Avenue from Christian Cornerstone Church heading north along Wyckoff Avenue, turning right onto Main Street, then turning right onto Franklin Avenue and ending at Town Hall.aldwin Street to the War Memorials in front of Ridgewood Ave School.
2025 Central Jersey Memorial Day Weekend Events
Bradley Beach Memorial Day Weekend Festival
Saturday & Sunday, May 24, 25, 2025; from 9am-7pm
on the Bradley Beach Boardwalk
The festival includes crafters, food, live music,
and Family Fun, long the promenade with entertanment both Days.
Parade on Saturday, at 10am and runs along Ocean Ave.
Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 24 - 26, 2025; 11am-5pm
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave.
Oceanport, NJ
Cost: Free Parking, General Admission $6. Children 12 and under are Free.
This Memorial Day weekend festival features over 30 mouth-watering food trucks. Sample everything from Lobster Rolls to Mac & Cheese, and more. Live music all three days on two stages. Plenty of Kids activities will take place in the picnic area on Saturday and Sunday.
24th Annual Highlands Seaport Craft Show
May 25, 2025: 10am until 5pm
Huddy Park
329 Bay Ave.
Highlands, NJ
Event Cost: Free
This event features a collection of various handmade crafts from more than 60 crafters and artisans with live music from 12 PM- 4 PM. There will be a huge variety of unique gifts, art, jewelry, and personal items at this Juried Show.
Long Branch Art in the Park
Sunday, May 25, 2025; 10 am - 5pm
West End Park
Brighton Ave,
Long Branch, NJ
This event features up to 50 Juried Artists! Showcasing works on paper and canvas, mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and more.
New Jersey Jerk Fest
Sunday, May 25, 2025; 1pm - 8pm
14 Paulina Pl
Somerset, NJ
Cost:
Tickets: $30-$60
This event features Caribbean cuisine, live music, food trucks, and good vibes
It's a celebration of all things "jerk." from spicy jerk chicken to flavorful jerk pork, Jerk Fish, Jerk Goat, Jerk Oxtail & Jerk Ice Cream there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
There will be food trucks, food and beverage vendors, crafts, merchandise for sale, live music, kids' activities, and more.
The Memorial Day Music Festival
Monday, May 26, 2025 11:00am (or immediately after the parade ends).
North School Field
Hillsborough, NJ
Features musicians from the community performing on the main stage for several hours.
2025 Central Jersey Memorial Day Parades
Listed by earliest date:
Edison Memorial Day Parade
Saturday, May 24, 2025; Noon
The Parade kicks off on Plainfield Avenue and Division Street, concluding at Lindenau School, 50 Blossom St.
Matawan Memorial Day Parade
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Matawan, NJ
Parade begins at 11am on Main street, followed by a service at 12pm at Memorial Park.
Hillsborough
Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025 @10:30am
Hillsborough, NJ
The parade will kick off on New Amwell Road to Beekman Lane to the Municipal Building.
Lawrence Township Memorial Day Parade
Saturday, May 24th, 2025: 10am - 1PM
The kicks off at Lawrence High School and proceeds to the Veterans Park.
Hopewell Borough - Memorial Day Parade
Sunday, May 25th, 2025; 1pm
Parade kisks-off at Taylor Terrace, marching east on Broad Street, Closing Ceremony at Hopewell Elementary School.
Califon Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025:11am
Parade begins at School Street followed by events at Caifon Island Park incuding a Memorial Servce, Music, Food, Drinks, Antique Cars and More!
Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; @1PM
The Parede will begin
Southard Avenue and Academy Street, and will traverse many streets to ensure attendees can view the parade safely. All roads in and leading into Farmingdale will be closed at 12:00pm until the Parade is Completed.
Freehold Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025; @10am
The parade kicks off at Brinckerhoff and Main Streets
Groveville-Yardville Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26th, 2025; @ 8:30 a.m. (Rain or Shine)
The parade kisck off at Sunnybrae Blvd making a left onto South Broad St., continues left at the fork by Ydv-Ham Sq Road (this segment of the road is Route 524/Ydv-Allentown Road), makes a right on Route 156, makes a left on South Broad St., makes a right on Main Street and finishes at Church Street.
Hightstown Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26. 2025; 9:00 am
The parade will begin on Stockton Street at the Walter C. Black School, and will make their way to the center of town.
Pennington Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025: 11am
The parade will take place along Main St
Readington Township Parade
Monday, May 26th, 2025: @t 10:30 a.m.
Parade starts at 10:30 am at King's Plaza Shopping Center to the Municipal Building.
South River Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025: @1pm
Parade begins at Main Street & Hillside Ave, onto Jackson Street, onto Ferry street, back onto Main Street, ending at the War Memorial Building.
2025 South Jersey Memorial Day Weekend Events
Ocean City Memorial Beach Challenge
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Ocean City Music Pier
825 Boardwalk
Ocean City, NJ
This annual event features a family day of competition and comradery, and the honoring of those who have served and support the heroes still in the fight.
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Friday, May 23, thru Monday, May 26, 2025
On the Beach at Rio Grand Avenue
and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center
Wildwood, NJ
Free to spectators.
This event featues an all-inclusive Kite Festival world kite competition, for all ages.
Event begins on Friday at noon outside of the Wildwoods Convention Center with the opening of the Kite Sales Tent, a Social by the locatal kite club and the 9:00 p.m. Illuminated Night Kite Fly.
Saturday includes the Silent and Loud Auctions (open to all); and Saturday & Sunday with the flying of large inflatable kites, team flying, as well as family games.
Monday features the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
The Magic of Merlin
Saturday & Sunday, May 24, 25, 2025
Historic Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd
Admission: Free
This eventy is a mystical outdoor spectacle where enchantment takes center stage. This free-to-the-public show is a spellbinding adaptation of the tale of Harken, as originally written by Ryan Long, woven together with Riddlesbrood's signature comic flair. It's not just a play; it's a fantastical journey into the world of Merlin,
Wildwoods Boardwalk Crafts Show
May 24 & 25, 2025
Under backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Wildwoods sign, the shows feature an array of talented artisans and crafters, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and home décor to unique artwork and beach-inspired treasures. As you explore the many booths lining the southern end of the "boards", you'll find one-of-a-kind gifts, delicious homemade treats, and more. Whether you're looking for the perfect souvenir or simply soaking in the sights and sounds, the Boardwalk Crafts Shows provide a delightful shopping experience.
Cape May Music Festival
Sunday, May 25 – Sunday, June 28th, 2025
Rotary Park, Convention Hall, Episcopal Church of the Advent, and other venues
Cape May, NJ
Features musical performances of classical, chamber, jazz, brass band and Americana music.
Cape May Memorial Day Remberance Ceremony
Monday, May 27, 2024; 11:00 AM
Soldiers and Sailors Park Columbia Ave. and Gurney St.
Cape May, NJ
2025 South Jersey Memorial Day Parades
Listed by earliest date:City of Burlington Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26th, 2025: 9:00 AM (Rain or Shine)
This event will kick off at High Street and E. Federal Street.
Glassboro Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26th, 2025; 10 AM
Glassboro, NJ
The route begins at the corner of Lehigh and University, proceeding downtown on Whitney and High Street, and concludes at Academy.
Medford Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26th, 2025; starting at 11:00 am
The parade will kick off at Memorial Middle school on Mill Street and ends at Main Street.
Vineland Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025: @9am
The parade will begin at the corner of Landis Avenue and Myrtle Street, proceed west on Landis to Northwest Boulevard, north to Park Avenue and into the Landis Park Veterans Circle for the Memorial Day Ceremony
