Memorial Day Weekend Events in the Twin Cities – 2019

Memorial Day Weekend is May 25-27 in 2019. Sticking around town? We’ve saluted a few of the larger celebrations below. In addition to the special events, we’ve got weekend suggestions sure to be memorable.

FREE TWIN CITIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

OUTDOOR SWIMMING

Dakota County beaches | 2 locations

Minneapolis swimming beaches | All 12 locations open Memorial Day weekend; lifeguards not available until June

Minneapolis wading pools (except pools located adjacent to public school sites) | Daily, 10am-9pm

Nicollet Commons Park water feature | Burnsville (weather dependent)

Ramsey County swimming beaches | Lifeguards on duty | 5 locations

Three Rivers Park District Beaches | 7 unguarded locations

Webber Natural Swimming Pool | Minneapolis | Water treated with plants instead of chemicals. Zero-depth entry for the littlest swimmers.

HISTORIC SITES

5/26/19: Pond Dakota House Open House | Bloomington | Explore the home and grounds of this historic landmark tucked away within a stone’s throw of the busy metro area. Guided house tours are at 1:30 & 4pm. A suggested donation of $2 per person is greatly appreciated.

5/26/19: Immigrant for a Day | Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia | 1-4pm | Step back into the 1850’s with immigrant family activities and tours. This is a FREE day.

CEMETERY CEREMONIES

5/25-27/19: Roselawn Cemetery | Minneapolis | 11am-1pm | Organ Concerts daily 11am-1pm and Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 10 am.

5/27/19: Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery | Minneapolis | 10:30am-3pm | Ceremony begins at 10:30am followed by live music, refreshments, trolley tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and art activities for kids.

5/27/19: Union Cemetery | Maplewood | 10am | Memorial Day Service next to the office. Bring your lawn chair.

5/27/19: Minneapolis Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery | Minneapolis | 9:40-11am | Seward Concert Band performance at 9:40 followed by a service at 10am.

Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery

NATURE PROGRAMS

5/27/19: Memorial Day Animal Show | Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove | 1-4pm

5/28/18: Free Family Fun Day: Minnesota Raptors | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington | 3-4pm

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Minneapolis Music in the Parks | 6 venues presenting music nightly – starts Memorial Day at Lake Harriet Bandshell. 5/28/19, 5:30pm.

Minnesota Remembers Memorial Weekend – Mall of America Atrium, Minneapolis | Live music, cookie giveaways, face painting, meet Security K9s, and other fun activities plus displays and monuments up all weekend. Plus, on Monday, check out World War I Fashions: The War That Raised Grandma’s Hemline in the Rotunda. 5/26/29, 10am-5pm.

PAID EVENTS TWIN CITIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

Fort Snelling Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend every year.

HISTORIC SITES

Gibbs Farm | Falcon Heights | Weekends & select Fridays, 10am-4pm | $5-$8/pp | Take a themed guided tour or attend one of Gibbs Farm’s special events throughout the season.

Historic Fort Snelling | Sat, Sun & Mon 10-5 | $6-$12/pp | Memorial Day Weekend – Explore the historic buildings, chat with costumed interpreters, watch cannon and musket firings, and join in historic games. Kids can try out the History Hunt scavenger hunt. New this year: Free general admission to all military veterans, plus up to five accompanying family members! Finish the day with a short hike through adjacent Fort Snelling State Park.

The Landing | Shakopee | $5-$8/pp, under 2 FREE | Memorial Day Weekend: Meet Civil War veterans and learn how Memorial Day began in 1868 as “Decoration Day” to honor Union soldiers who died. Horse-drawn trolleys provide transportation through the park.

Oliver Kelley Farm | Elk River | Noon-5pm | $6-$12/pp, under 5 & MHS members FREE | Explore the new visitor center, tour the historic farmhouse, lend your hand at farm chores, and check in on the animals.

Sibley House Historic Site | Mendota | Sat/Sun, 1-4pm | $5-$7/pp