Seasonal & Holidays
Chicagoland Guide to Memorial Day Fests, Parades, Ceremonies
From Libertyville to Chicago, we've got a roundup of festivals, parades and ceremonies being held across the Chicago area.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADES, CEREMONIES
LAKE COUNTY
College of Lake County Memorial Day Ceremony
- When: noon to 1 p.m. on Friday
- Where: A Wing Auditorium (Room A011) at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Four-Day Memorial Day Event in Gurnee
- Where: Warren Cemetery, 1475 N. Cemetery Road in Gurnee
- When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday
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Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
More information via the Gurnee Chamber of Commerce website
Barrington Memorial Day
- When: 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday
- Where: Various locations in Barrington
- What: Veterans of all wars are invited to gather for breakfast at the Breadbasket Restaurant, 131 Park Avenue, Barrington, at 6 a.m. Memorial services will be conducted at various cemeteries throughout the morning. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. from Veterans Memorial, proceed west on Main Street, left on Dundee Avenue and right into Evergreen Cemetery. Services at Evergreen Cemetery will start at 11:00 a.m.
More via Barrington Memorial VFW Post
Grayslake Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
- When: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 28
- What/Where: The parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. near the Grayslake Central High School parking lot on Lake Street and travel south on Lake Street to Junior Avenue and east to Memorial Park.
Libertyville Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
- When: 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 28
- Where: Parade steps off from the Metra station and a ceremony will follow at Cook Park
More via the village of Libertyville website
Round Lake Area Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
- When: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday
- Where: Various locations in Round Lake Area
More via the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website
MCHENRY COUNTY
Fox River Grove Memorial Day Parade
- When: 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 28.
- Where: Parade steps off from Algonquin Road School
More via the village of Cary-Grove website
Crystal Lake Memorial Day Parade
- The Crystal Lake American Legion will conduct its annual Memorial Day Parade and Cemetery Service on Monday, May 28, 2018. Parade units will assemble at the Crystal Lake Central High School parking lot at 10 a.m. and the parade will start at 11 a.m. The parade route will be east on Franklin Avenue, north on Williams Street and west on Woodstock Street to Union Cemetery, where the Memorial Service will be held.
Cary Memorial Day Parade
- When: 10:15 a.m. on Monday
- Where: Steps off from Holy Cross Lutheran Church, First Street and Three Oaks Road in Cary.
More via the village of Cary website
Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Memorial Day Parade and Cookout
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
- Where/What: There will be a short ceremony at Algonquin's Veteran Monument on Algonquin-Cary Road next to the cemetery starting at 10 a.m. From there, people will march to the memorial at Riverfront Park, 201 N. Harrison St. in Algonquin. There will be singers, local speakers and a show of honor to those that have fallen. A cookout will follow at the Lake in the Hills American Legion Post 1231, 1101 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills.
More via the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills American Legion Facebook page
DUPAGE COUNTY
Naperville Memorial Day Parade - CANCELED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT
Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade
- The annual Memorial Day Parade in Elmhurst will step off at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 28. from York and Third streets, Elmhurst. The parade will be followed by the post-parade ceremony at 11 a.m. A pair of Beechcraft T-34s flown by members of the Lima Lima Flight Team will perform a variety of aerial maneuvers once the parade steps off.
Centennial Commemoration of the Battle of Cantigny in Wheaton
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday
- Where: First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton
More via the Cantigny Park website
Wheaton Memorial Day Parade
- When: 10 a.m. Monday, May 28 with ceremony to follow at 11 a.m.
- Where: The 2018 Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 28, 2018, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade route will be different this year. Details on the route are available here. A ceremony honoring those who have given their life in service will begin at 11 a.m. at Wheaton Cemetery, located at 1209 S Warrenville Road.
Hinsdale Memorial Day Parade
- A Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 28 in Hinsdale. The parade is sponsored by the Hinsdale American Legion Post and will kick off at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day.
More on the parade route, which has changed this year, visit Hinsdale Ptach
COOK COUNTY
Western Springs Memorial Day Parade
- Residents will be able to enjoy a Memorial Day parade in Western Springs when it steps off at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28. According to the village, the parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Western Springs.
More via Western Springs Patch
Frankfort Memorial Day Ceremony 2018
- The event will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Breidert Green in downtown Frankfort. The Hickory Creek Middle School band will perform during the ceremony.If it rains, the event will move to the Founders Center gym, 140 Oak St.
Tinley Park Memorial Day Ceremony 2018
- The village will pay tribute to the military men and women who lost their lives serving their country with a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. The event will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Patrick E. Rea Veterans Plaza, 18001 S. 80th Ave. Patriotic music will be performed, and short speeches will be given. A wreath-laying and a gun salute also will be part of the ceremony.
Oak Forest Memorial Day Ceremony 2018
- The city will pay tribute to the military men and women who lost their lives serving their country with a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall, 15440 S. Central Ave. Local groups and others will present wreaths during the ceremony. Refreshments will be served after the event, which is sponsored by the Owen W. Winter Jr. VFW Post 4241 and the City of Oak Forest.
Memorial Day Parade and Observance in Winnetka
- When: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday
- What/Where: The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from the corner of Glendale and Elm Streets, then heads east to the Village Green Park. A ceremony will follow.
Palatine Memorial Day and Ceremony
- Before the parade kicks off, a service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Hillside Cemetery on Smith Street, just north of Colfax Street. The parade begins at 10:15 am. at Cornell Avenue and Smith Street. The procession will march north on Smith, east on Robertson Street and south on Brockway, before finally moving east on Wood Street and ending at the Veterans Memorial. Once at the memorial, a short program will be held at 11 a.m. That will be followed by another program at 12:15 p.m. at the legion's memorial at 150 W. Palatine Road.
Rosemont Memorial Day Cookout and Concert
- When: 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place in Rosemont
Arlington Heights Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
- When: The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May, 28. A ceremony follows the parade at around 11 a.m.
- Where: The parade's starting point is in front of Village Hall at Sigwalt Street and Arlington Heights Road. It ends at Memorial Park.
More via Arlington Heights Patch
City of Chicago
Chicago Memorial Day Parade 2018
- The city will pay tribute to the military men and women who lost their lives serving their country with a Memorial Day ceremony and parade Monday. A wreath-laying ceremony will start at 11 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. Following the ceremony, the parade will step off at noon at State and Lake streets. The procession will continue south on State to Van Buren Street.
2018 Ridge Run/Memorial Day Parade in Beverly/Morgan Park
- The fallen heroes of the United States of America will be honored in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood with what has become one of the best celebrations of the year. Memorial Day along Longwood Drive is an unofficial kickoff to summer with the Ridge Run races, followed by the Memorial Day Parade that keeps people out-and-about in the area until the early afternoon.
Beverly Hills/Morgan Park/Mount Greenwood Memorial Day Parade
- From the opening color guard to the greatness that is the Jesse White Tumblers, the 2018 Beverly Hills/Morgan Park/Mount Greenwood Memorial Day Parade will feature excitement from all who have an entry in what has become one of the neighborhood's greatest yearly traditions. The Beverly Area Planning Association on Monday released the "line of march" for the event, which will include 39 entries.
Rosehill Cemetery Memorial Day Parade
- The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Monday at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 N. Ravenswood Avenue. Veterans and community members are encouraged to assemble near the corner of Thorndale and Clark between 9 - 9:30am on Monday. Free food will be served by the legion at the cemetery between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
WILL COUNTY
Plainfield Memorial Day Parade
- The Plainfield American Legion Marne Post #13 will honor the nation's veterans with its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28. The parade will begin at Ira Jones Middle School, 15320 S. Wallin Drive, at 10:30 a.m.
More on the parade route and other parade details via Plainfield Patch
Memorial Day Event At Romeoville Veterans Memorial
- The Village of Romeoville will honor the nation's fallen servicemen and women during a ceremony Monday, May 28, at the Edward "Doc" McCartan Veteran's Memorial, 11 Montrose Drive. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the memorial.
More information via Romeoville Patch
KENDALL COUNTY
Yorkville Memorial Day Service
- The Yorkville American Legion will host a service in honor of fallen servicemen and women this Memorial Day. The event is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 28, at Town Square Park on Bridge Street off Route 47. Yorkville American Legion Commander Tim Conrardy said events will begin with the posting of colors at the legion post at 7:40 a.m. From there, legion members will head out with the American Legion Riders on a procession leading to Town Square Park.
KANE COUNTY
Aurora Vets Week
- When: May 19 through May 28
- Where: various locations throughout Aurora
More via the Aurora Vets Week website
Aurora Memorial Day Parade
- The annual Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 28, 2018, with step-off at noon. This year's theme is "In Memory of Many...In Honor of All." The parade route will begin at the intersection of Benton and River, head east on Benton, north on Broadway, west on Downer Place and ending at River Street. The Memorial Day Reviewing Stand will be in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center at 20 East Downer Place for best viewing.
More via the city of Aurora website
Elgin Memorial Day Services
- When: Various times throughout the day Monday
- Where: Various locations throughout the city
More via the Elgin Patriotic Memorial Association
Geneva Memorial Day Parade
- Beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, May 28, the American Legion Fox River – Geneva Post 75 will step off its annual Memorial Day Parade from the Geneva Train Station. The parade will feature the color guard, local veterans, City officials, Boy and Girl Scouts, Geneva High School Marching Band, military re-enactor units and Geneva Police and Fire vehicles.The procession will travel north on Third Street to the West Side Cemetery, Third and Stevens streets, where a Memorial Day ceremony will be held.Third Street will be closed during the parade as will the intersection of State and Third streets. While the parade is short in duration, motorists are encouraged to use Route 31 as an alternate route.
St. Charles Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies
- The St. Charles Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Monday at 6th and Main streets. The events on Monday will honor those who have given their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy. St. Charles annual Memorial Day activities begin at 6 a.m. and include cemetery ceremonies, a parade, memorial service and open house for veterans and their families.
Catholic Masses Held Across Chicagoland
- Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, the Auxiliary Bishops and Archdiocesan Priests will celebrate Memorial Day with Field Masses at Catholic cemeteries across the Chicago region on Monday, May 28. The masses will start at 10:30 a.m. Veterans in attendance will be asked to come forward for a special blessing followed by the playing of Taps. The annual Memorial Day remembrance was established by the Catholic Cemetery Conference, to honor men and women of the armed forces who died while serving, as well as active military and veterans.
FESTIVALS
- Where: Various locations in downtown Elgin
- When: 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday
- What: The 8th annual Going Dutch Festival, produced by Side Street Studio Arts, is a celebration of the female voice in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts.
More via the Going Dutch Festival
Lake View's Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest Schedule, Details
- The annual Belmont-Sheffield Music fest will be held on the Memorial Day weekend — Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 — along Sheffield from Belmont to Roscoe Street. The iconic street festival will feature tribute bands, DJs, karaoke shows and local artists selling their creations. The event also offers plenty of local food, beer and wine specials.
Gaelic Irish Fest in Oak Forest
- The Irish Festival at Chicago Gaelic Park will celebrate its 32nd year when it gets under way Friday. Marking the unofficial start of the summer festival season in the south suburbs, the four-day event features music, performances and food. But like other summertime festivals, Irish Fest includes some time-honored staples. A petting zoo, magic shows, carnival rides and other attractions are all part of the celebration.
St. Charles Fine Art Show
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 26 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 27
- Where: Riverside Avenue and Main Street in St. Charles
- What: The art show features the work of approximately 100 juried artists in mediums including watercolor, oil, sculputre, photography, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood, mixed media, glass and more. All are exhibited and available for sale during the 20th anniversary of this outdoor event.
More via the Downtown St. Charles website
Barrington Art Festival
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 26 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 27
- Where: Cook and Station streets in Barrington
- What: Artwork, live music, great food and fun activities for kids.
Westmont Red, White & Bar-B-Q Festival and Competition
- When: 4 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday
- Where: Ty Warner Park, 700 Blackhawk Drive in Westmont
Prairie Arts Festival Fine Art & Fine Craft Exhibition and Sale in Schaumburg
- Memorial Day weekend's popular Prairie Arts Festival returns Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 to the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center located at the intersection of Schaumburg Road and Summit Drive. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, rain or shine. The event will feature painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, entertainment, children's art activities, a food truck court and more. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the village's website or dial 311 in the village.
PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK
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