Memorial Day weekend 2024, for some, means the beginning of summer with picnics at the beach or shopping discounts etc. But for many, it also means taking the time to remember those who have passed in service to their country and reflect on the cost of liberty and freedom for all.
The holiday originated in the years following the American Civil War to honor the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war.
It was originally called Decoration Day and involved the placing of flowers on the graves of the dead. The name was changed to Memorial Day in 1971 and is celebrated the last Monday in May.
Unlike Veterans Day in November that celebrates all those serving or who have served in the armed forces, Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Many people take the day off to spend time with family and friends as a way to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, such as attending outdoor concerts or watching a fireworks display.
No matter how you choose to observe Memorial Day, following is a list of some events being offered throughout Palm Beach County. Check back with us as we add more events when the information becomes available.
Boca Raton
The City of Boca Raton will celebrate Memorial Day on May 27, 2024, with a morning ceremony and an evening concert. Both are free and open to the public.
- Ceremony: Boca Raton Cemetery, 9-10 a.m., at 451 SW 4th Ave. Take part in a community ceremony to honor the sacrifices made for our freedoms, featuring guest speakers and City officials. Seating provided. Reserved section for Gold Star families.
- Concert: Mizner Park, 7-8:30 p.m. Doors open 6 p.m. at the Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Chairs and blankets are welcome. Reserved seating for Gold Star families. Chair rentals $5; FREE for active military and veterans. Refreshments will be available for purchase. This year's concert will feature The American Sirens, with an evening of patriotic and American favorites ,from a vintage concert experience inspired by the Andrews Sisters, and more. Visit myboca.us/1470/Memorial-Day for more details.
Credit: The American Sirens / Courtesy: City of Boca Raton
- Memorial Day Program: 9:30 a.m., on Monday, May 27, 2024, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556, at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 9400 W. Palmetto Park Road. The event will have a procession of colors, speakers, a wreath ceremony and patriotic music. A livestream of the program will be on Facebook.com/pbcparks.
Boynton Beach
- Memorial Flag Planting: Friday, May 24, 2024, 8-11 a.m., at Boynton Beach Memorial Park, 1611 S. Seacrest Blvd. The Boynton Beach Veterans Task Force will work with volunteers to place flags on the graves of veterans currently laid to rest in the park. Volunteers are encouraged to assist.
- Memorial Day Ceremony: Sunday, May 26, 2024, 2-3 p.m., at Boynton Beach Memorial Park, 1611 S. Seacrest Blvd. The ceremony will take place near the mausoleum under the overhang area. Tents and seating will be available. The program will be coordinated by the Veteran’s Task Force.
Lake Worth
The South Florida National Cemetery is located in western Lake Worth. It is maintained by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and it is also one of the newest national cemeteries in the United States.
Monday, May 27, 2024: The ceremony will be in the new Assembly Area. At 8:30 a.m. volunteers will set-up the cannons and flags. Color Guards will open the ceremony and it will end with a cannon salute. FL Dept. Cdr. Tim Campaign will be in charge. For more details visit this Facebook page.
Lantana
A Day to Remember will honor fallen service members at 11:50 a.m., Monday, May 27, 2024, at Palm Beach Memorial Park Cemetery, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd. More details available at forgottensoldiers.org.
Palm Beach Gardens
Memorial Day Ceremony: Monday, May 27, 2024, at 9 a.m., at the Veterans Plaza Amphitheater, 10500 N. Military Trail.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens will honor and remember the service men and women who never left the battlefield with a wreath ceremony. Flags will be presented by the Palm Beach Gardens Police and Fire-Rescue Honor Guard. Music presented by Palm Beach Gardens High School Wind Ensemble. For more details, visit pbgfl.com.
Royal Palm Beach
Memorial Day Service: Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m., Monday, May 27, 2024, at Veterans Park Amphitheater, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., The Village of Royal Palm Beach. Visit the roaylpalmbeachfl.gov website for more details.
Wellington
- Memorial Day Parade, organized by American Legion Post 390, starts at 8:15 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2024, at Wellington Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd.
- Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Wellington Veterans Memorial, 11848 Forest Hill Blvd. For more details, see wellingtonfl.gov.
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Also read our post on the Air & Sea Show Memorial Weekend, in Miami.
More Memorial Day information
- Memorial Day events & deals in Miami-Dade 2024
- Memorial Day events in Palm Beach, 2024
- Memorial Day events and deals in Broward
- Deering Estate discount for Memorial Day weekend
- Hyundai Air & Sea Show, Memorial Weekend, Miami Beach
- Great American Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale is loaded with events & it's free
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