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

Minneapolis Wading Pools (except pools located adjacent to public school sites) | Open daily 10am-9pm | FREE

Most Minneapolis Wading Pools Open Memorial Day Weekend

PAID EVENTS TWIN CITIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

Memorial Day Weekend | Historic Fort Snelling, Sat, Sun & Mon 10-5 | $6-$12/pp | 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. Finish the day with a short hike through adjacent Fort Snelling State Park.

Fort Snelling Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend every year.

2018 Memorial Day Weekend Events

5/26/18: Minnesota Remembers Memorial Weekend – Mall of America Atrium, Minneapolis | 10am-5pm | Live music, cookie giveaways, face painting, meet Security K9s, and other fun activities plus displays and monuments up all weekend.

5/28/18: Minneapolis Music in the Parks | 6 venues presenting music nightly – starts Memorial Day at Lake Harriet Bandshell | 5:30pm

Minneapolis Water Parks (Jim Lupient and North Commons) | Open Sat, Sun & Mon 1pm-7pm | $3-$5/pp.

Minneapolis Beaches (Guarded beach hours begin Saturday at Lake Nokomis Main Beach and Wirth Lake Beach. The rest are unguarded until June 9th) | Open Sat, Sun & Mon 1pm-7pm | FREE.

Nicollet Commons Park water feature | Burnsville (weather dependent).

Lakeside Commons splash pad | Blaine (Opened early due to heat).

HISTORIC SITES

5/27/18: 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.

5/27/18: Immigrant for a Day | Gammelgarden Museum, Scandia | 1-4pm | Step back into the 1850’s with immigrant family activities and tours.

CEMETERY CEREMONIES

5/27-29/18: Roselawn Cemetery, Minneapolis | 11am-1pm | Organ Concerts daily 11am-1pm and Memorial Day Ceremony Monday at 10 am.

5/28/18: Historic Oakland Cemetary, St. Paul | 10am-Noon | Service, music and fly over followed by a Dakota Uprising Tour.

5/28/18: Union Cemetery, Maplewood | 10am | Memorial Day Service next to the office. Bring your lawn chair.

5/28/18: Minneapolis Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery, Minneapolis | 10am-11:30am | Ceremony begins at 10:30am followed by live music, refreshments, tro

5/28/18: Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery 150th Memorial Day Celebration, 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.

Memorial Day at Lakewood Cemetery

NATURE PROGRAMS

5/28/18: Memorial Day Animal Show | Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove | 1-4pm

5/28/18: Family Fun – Forest Play | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington | 3-4pm

PAID EVENTS TWIN CITIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

OUTDOOR SWIMMING

Grove Cove Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool | Maple Grove | 11am-6pm | $7-$8/pp or $25-$30/family

Jim Lupient Water Park Opening Weekend | Minneapolis | 1-7pm | $3-$5/pp.

Anoka Aquatic Center | 12-7pm | $5-$7/pp | Pre-season opening May 26, 2018

Elm Creek Swimming Pond | Maple Grove | 9am-8pm | $5/pp

Lake Minnetonka Swimming Pond | Minnetrista | 9am-8pm | $5/pp

HISTORIC SITES

Memorial Day Weekend | The Landing, Shakopee | $5-$8/pp, under 2 FREE | 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.

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

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.

Centennial Lakes Park | Edina | Attractions opening Memorial Day Weekend include the park’s paddle boats, lawn games (croquet and lawn bowling, $20/hr), and the putting course ($6-$10/pp).

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.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Kangaroo Crossing Opens | Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley | $12-$18/pp (plus parking), under 2 FREE | Roam the land with kangaroos, wallabies and emus for a truly authentic experience.