Memorial Day Weekend Events in the Twin Cities – 2020

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.

NATURE PROGRAMS

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

5/28/19: Free Family Fun Day: Minnesota Raptors | Richardson Nature Center, Bloomington | 3-4pm

Opening Weekend:  Pollinators: All The Buzz | Como Zoo | 10am-6pm (Runs through Labor Day)

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.

Memorial Day Observance – Chester Bird Post 523 American Legion, 200 Lilac Dr. N., Golden Valley | Remembrance for those who died serving our country. Ceremony includes Bagpiper, Bugler, and Honor Guard with 3 Rifle Volley. A reception will follow the observance in the Legion. Dress for outdoor event.

Memorial Day Ceremony – Chanhassen City Center, 7700 Market Boulevard | A ceremony at the Veterans Monument in City Center Park (in front of city hall) at noon, the Legion will assemble at the Veterans Monument in City Center Park to conduct the Memorial Day Ceremony.

PAID EVENTS TWIN CITIES MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

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

The following MNHS sites and museums across the state are open to visitors on Memorial Day:

• Birch Coulee Battlefield: dawn to dusk
• Charles Lindbergh House and Museum: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Folsom House: 1- 5 p.m.
• Harkin Store: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Historic Forestville: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Historic Fort Snelling: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Jeffers Petroglyphs: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Lac qui Parle Mission: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Marine Mill: dawn to dusk
• Mill City Museum: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Minnesota History Center: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Oliver Kelley Farm: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sibley Historic Site: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Snake River Fur Post: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Split Rock Lighthouse: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

OUTDOOR SWIMMING

Anoka Aquatic Center | Anoka | Sat-Sun & holiday noon-7pm, Mon-Fri 3-7pm | $4-$7/pp

Elm Creek Swimming Pond | Maple Grove | 9am-8pm | $5/pp | Chlorinated w/ sand beach, close to an elaborate playground, nature center and historic site. Lifeguards on duty daily starting 6/10/19.

Grove Cove Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool | Maple Grove | 10am-6pm | $7-$8/pp or $26-$30/family

Jim Lupient Water Park | Pre-season hours | Minneapolis | $3-$5/pp

Lake Minnetonka Swimming Pond | Minnetrista | 9am-8pm | $5/pp | Chlorinated w/ sand beach. Lifeguards on duty starting 6/10/19.

Minneapolis Water Parks (Jim Lupient and North Commons) | Traditionally Open Memorial Day Weekend | $3-$5/pp.

Washington County Parks swimming beaches | Lifeguards on duty – 5 locations, including the popular Lake Elmo Swim Pond | $7/vehicle (Point Douglas is much smaller and unguarded, but no vehicle fee)

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

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).

Como Town Amusement Park | St Paul | Opens 10am Memorial Day Weekend

Minnesota Zoo | Apple Valley | $12-$18/pp (plus parking), under 2 FREE | Llama Trek opens, the special experience along the Northern Trail, will allow guests to walk among free-roaming llamas.

Wheel Fun Rentals | Lake Calhoun, Minnehaha Falls & Veterans Memorial Park – Richfield | visit the links for complete hours | Rent surreys, choppers, canoes, paddleboards and more. Weekend hours for Lake Nokomis & Como Park begin 5/18/19, and Lake Harriet begins Memorial Day Weekend.