Our military keeps our country safer.
Staying in Richmond for Memorial Day or taking a short drive somewhere in Virginia?
Memorial Day rocks in Richmond, Virginia!
And there are plenty of activities locally, or you can take a short drive to some of the nearby historic locations of Virginia and find even more.
Here’s our Richmondmom.com list of Memorial Day events. Let us know about others so we can add them to our list! Also, check out our weekly posting on Richmondmom.com for other weekend events. (Be sure to check websites for dates, times, and details of all events as schedules may change).
Plan ahead and enjoy the long weekend.
Memorial Day Weekend Events – 2012
Virginia Women’s Music Festival at Virginia Women’s Campground on May 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. – Join us for music, dancing, bonfires, and a Memorial Day celebration.
Lewis Ginter Butterflies Live – May 25-30. Hundreds of butterflies will take flight in Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s glass Conservatory in 2012. The Butterflies LIVE! exhibit is back by popular demand and will feature showy tropical species from May 25 – October 14, 2012. The exhibit will also feature special plantings to provide food for the butterflies, allowing visitors to get an “up-close” and personal view of these fascinating creatures. This exhibit is supported by the Robins Foundation.
Celebrate the Art of India – Museum District, May 26 at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Learn about the glitter, glamour, and power of the Indian kings! Create art inspired by Indian culture and compare your creations to the South Asian galleries at VMFA. Recommended for families with children 3-12.
Memorial Day Weekend Big Band Concert at Christ Ascension Episcopal Church. Free concert from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Free Memorial Day Weekend Big Band Concert on the front lawn of Christ Ascension Episcopal Church. Come hear the Big Band sounds of Joe Enroughty and His Royal Virginians as they perform some of your Big Band favorites. There will be an area set up for dancing in front of the bandstand. This concert will benefit the Christ Ascension food pantry, so please bring one non-perishable food item to help the food pantry. Also bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Shockoe Bottom Jazz Festival – May 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Shockoe Bottom Jazz Festival is a unique opportunity to highlight the vibrant jazz culture in Richmond Virginia. This promises to be a day full of music, art and food. Featuring local vendors and amazing local musicians, this is a great way to showcase our community and the arts. Come out Memorial Day weekend for a great “Sunday Funday” indeed.
Summer Reenactment Series – May 27 at Church Hill, St. John’s Church. Sunday, May 27, 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Free tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis 1:30 p.m. Music program 2:00 p.m. This event is FREE, with a suggested donation of $5.00
Virginia Civil War History Mobile at Yorktown Battlefield – Through the weekend – The Civil War 150 History Mobile is an interactive museum on wheels housed in a 53′ expandable tractor-trailer. The four-year tour launched on July 21, 2011, in conjunction with the 150th anniversary commemoration of the First Battle of Manassas. The History Mobile draws together stories from all over Virginia and uses state-of-the-art technology and immersive exhibit spaces to present individual stories of the Civil War from the perspectives of those who experienced it young and old, enslaved and free, soldiers and civilians. Hours: Sat – Sun, 9 am – 5 pm; Mon, 9 am – 12 pm.
Kings Dominion Military Days – Join us May 26-27 as we pay tribute to our brave military service men and women by offering FREE park admission to any active, inactive or retired United States Service men and women with a valid military I.D. *Free Admission only valid on May 26 & 27 for those qualifying with a valid US military I.D.
Richmond in 1812 Walking Tour at Court End. To mark the 200th anniversary of the History Center’s Wickham House, join us for a look at Richmond in 1812. For a small town it was a cosmopolitan city, a trading center with a diverse population. We’ll explore the cultural, political, social and religious aspects of this complex city and end with a tour of the Wickham House. Meet at the History Center.
Arlington National Cemetery Flags-In. Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) will be joined by service members from the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard in placing more than 250,000 grave decorating flags at Arlington National Cemetery. The flags will remain through Memorial Day.
- May 28 – Memorial Day Observance, Memorial Amphitheater, 11 a.m.
- May 29 – Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath Ceremony in honor of President John F. Kennedy, 10 a.m.
Free Concert at the Capitol Sunday, May 27, 2012, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. – PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. See Photos of the Performers for the 2012 Concert.
Richmond Kickers – This fantastic end of year event for both travel teams and top level recreation teams will be held over Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday the 26th, and Sunday the 27th, of May, 2012) Our goal is to start matches after 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday! APPLY HERE or CLICK ON THE ABOVE LOGO! Deadline to apply is April 30th, 2012. Due to high interest, deadline extended to May 7th, 2012! Don’t hesitate.
Rocketts Red Glare – A fun-filled Memorial Day celebration is planned for Rocketts Landing in Richmond, Virginia on Sunday, May 27. Live music, family-friendly activities and of course the Rocketts Red Glare Fireworks Show are scheduled for that evening in Ancarrows Landing Park along the James River. All events are free.
Hanover Concert Band May 27, 2012 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St., Richmond, VA. The Hanover Concert Band will give an outdoor concert in the Heilman Amphitheater (weather permitting) of patriotic selections. Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy the music from this talented group! Free and open to the public with ample free parking.
History of Memorial Day at Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour on May 27 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Join local scholar Jim DuPriest for an historical walk through Hollywood Cemetery, one of the most historic cemeteries in America. Learn about the origins of Memorial Day, a tradition begun in Hollywood as early as 1866. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and stay hydrated. Copies of Mr. DuPriest’s book on Hollywood will be available for sale.
Memorial Day Ceremony in Downtown Richmond, May 28 – Co-hosted with the American Legion 11th District. This ceremony is held to honor all veterans and remind citizens that we must remain vigilant to protect our freedoms. The Wall of Honor Ceremony, previously held at the Capital, will be integrated into this meaningful event. The plaques from the Wall of Honor will be on temporary display at the Memorial. Governor Bob McDonnell will give the Keynote Address.
The Children’s Museum of Richmond is open for Memorial Day fun on May 28!
Memorial Day Ceremony on May 28, 2012 at Yorktown. Includes the posting of colors, historical re-enactors, a guest speaker, the placing of flowers, and the presentation of awards to student winners of the York County Remembers Poster Essay Contest. York Hall, 301 Main Street. Free. (757) 890.3500 York Hall 301 Main Street Yorktown, Virginia 23690.
Valentine Richmond History Center – May 28 – Commemorate Memorial Day with a tour of Richmond’s historic cemeteries, including the Old Negro Burial Ground, St. John’s Church, Shockoe, Hebrew, Woodland and Hollywood Cemeteries. Learn about their layout, evolution as parks, artwork and notable tenants. Reservations required: (804) 649-0711 x301. Meet at the History Center.
Maymont Park on Memorial Day (May 28) – Nature & Visitor Center, 10 am-5 pm Maymont Mansion, 12-5 pm. Maymont’s indoor exhibits, including Maymont Mansion and the Nature Center, will be open for the holiday. (Indoor exhibits are normally open Tuesday-Sunday). For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 310.
Memorial Day Ceremony May 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial. Co-hosted with the American Legion 11th District. This ceremony honors all veterans and reminds citizens that we must remain vigilant to protect our freedoms. We will have extended hours during the weekend with other special activities.
Memorial Day Festival and Parade – Memorial Day Festival and Parade is a small Town patriotic festival in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, where the river meets the mountains!
Memorial Day at Ferry Farm – Visit Historic Kenmore and Ferry Farm where Civil War living-history interpreters will bring the past to life. Learn about period chores and cooking, medicine, and weapons. See exhibitions of cavalry and infantry drilling. Hear period music and play games. Please note – this event takes place at both Ferry Farm and at Kenmore Plantation. Separate admissions charged at each site.
Lee Takes Command on May 31, 2012 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Virginia War Memorial. ivil War author and historian, Dr. Emory Thomas, will examine Lee as man and general on the 150th anniversary of the day he took command of the Army of Northern Virginia. This special Sesquicentennial event is co-sponsored by the Museum of the Confederacy and the Virginia War Memorial. Free, but reservations are required through the Museum of the Confederacy on their website or by calling 855-649-1861.
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