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As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Metro Detroit gears up for a celebration that perfectly blends remembrance with joy. This cherished holiday not only honors the brave men and women who have served our country but also marks the unofficial start of summer. From vibrant parades and solemn ceremonies to lively festivals and family-friendly activities, Metro Detroit offers a plethora of events that promise to make this long weekend unforgettable. Whether you’re looking to pay your respects or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. Join us as we explore the best Memorial Day weekend celebrations in Metro Detroit, ensuring you make the most of this meaningful holiday.
HAZEL PARK FAIR
May 24 – 27
620 West Woodward Heights Boulevard, Hazel Park
The Hazel Park Recreation Department is hosting its annual Memorial Weekend Festival with an abundance of attractions for the community. Located at Green Acres Park and the Hazel Park Community Center, families can find a carnival, live music, a beer tent, a petting farm, and concessions for the four-day event. On Monday, there is a Memorial Day ceremony and parade starting at 9 a.m. at the Hazel Park Junior High School, that leads to the attraction areas at the community center and park.
KENSINGTON METROPARK ART FAIR
May 25 – 27
Maple Beach, Milford
For those wanting to spend Memorial Day weekend in the great outdoors, the Kensington Metropark Art Fair is returning May 25 through 27, featuring over 100 artists from all over the country right along Maple Beach. “The Kensington Metropark Art Fair is unique among art fair events because we make every effort to match the setting with the variety of art that is being shown and to emphasize the natural atmosphere of this art fair. We want to be a relaxed place where people can take their time experiencing art and its relationship with nature,” says the show director, Mark Loeb. Art will range from paintings and sculptures to jewelry, metalwork, wood, photography, and more. “We have opportunities for both kids and adults to get their hands dirty and try out different art projects [with the Detroit Institute of Arts] and we encourage folks to make a day of it and enjoy all of the activities that the Metropark has to offer while they are there,” shares Loeb. Food options include barbecue, hot dogs, freeze-dried ice cream, and more, paired perfectly with live music for Memorial Day weekend. For those looking to make a day out of it, Kensington Metropark is filled with opportunities for family activities, with a playground next to Maple Beach, disc golf, inviting picnic areas, and even a splash pad inside the park. Admission to the art fair is free, but a Metropark pass is required to enter the park, which can be purchased daily for $10.
GREATER ROCHESTER HERITAGE DAYS
May 25 – 26
400 6th Street, Rochester
Held in the Rochester Municipal Park, Greater Rochester Heritage Days is a family-friendly, two-day event showcasing Heritage Artists quilting, chair caning, blacksmithing, rug hooking, and more. Other displays include a plant sale hosted by the Oakland Township Heritage Society, ‘Crafts Along the Creek’ Artshow with the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, and two car shows hosted by The Rochester Lions Club – the Heritage Rod & Custom Car Festival and the Festival of Car Show, with over 200 cars featured each day. The Pioneer Playground takes children back to the early life in Michigan, including popular toys, different animal furs, the multi-purposes of corn, and daily chores kids were once responsible for on the homestead.
MOVEMENT
May 25 – 27
1 Hart Plaza, Detroit
Movement is an electronic music festival held during Memorial Day weekend in the birthplace of techno music – Detroit. The festival has six stages total, ranging from alongside the Detroit River to one with an all-Detroit artist lineup, and the Movement stage for top artists. Some popular performers include Kevin Sanderson and Idris Elba, Ludacris, and Tee Grizzley, along with another 100+ acts. Tickets are required and can be purchased here, either for the entire weekend or a one-day pass, with limited VIP tickets left.
ST. CLAIR SHORES MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
May 26
Harper Avenue, St. Clair Shores
Celebrating the 71st Annual Memorial Day Parade, the SCS Memorial Day Parade Committee is excited to transform Harper Avenue (from Ridgeway to 11 Mile Road) into a “vibrant display of patriotism, community pride, and celebration.” With almost 200 entries in the parade, it is set to start at 1 p.m. on the 26th and last approximately 2 hours. This beloved tradition is significant to the St. Clair Shores community, and this year’s parade features over 12 floats, 6 high school bands, 20 other musical groups, 150 motorcycles, and over 300 vehicles set to pass through Harper Avenue. Covering over 2 miles, there is constant entertainment flowing through the street. A few honored guests for this year’s parade include Airforce Pilot Lieutenant Madison Marsh, who also holds the prestigious title of Miss America, serving as the Grand Marshal, and John Atkinson, the 2024 St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade Veteran of the Year. “Mr. Atkinson, age 98, has lived in St. Clair Shores for 55 years and has been a member of the VFW Bruce Post for 40 Years. As a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the US Navy, he served in WW2 and the Korean War. He volunteered to join the Navy at 17, which required parental permission due to his age. He served in the Atlantic North Africa the Mediterranean, then the Pacific where he supported the Allied Forces’ ‘Island-Hopping’ campaign against Japan. He arrived in Hiroshima six weeks after the end of the war and was stationed in Japan for six months. During the Korean War, he served in the Pacific from 1950 to 1951. Mr. Atkinson attends the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade every year, putting his chairs along the street before attending the morning service at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church. The Parade Committee is honored to choose such a deserving veteran as the Veteran of the Year,” shares the committee.
FERNDALE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
May 27
Intersection of Livernois and Oakridge, Ferndale
Ferndale’s Memorial Day Parade is one of the oldest in the area, being established in 1919. This year, the 106th parade is set to start at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, with a ceremony to follow at Ferndale Memorial Mall. Groups participating include the Michigan Fallen Foot Float, where volunteers carry profiles of those with ties to Michigan who have served since 2001, Girl Scouts of Ferndale, the Ferndale Garden Club, Mejishi Martial Arts, and many more. For community members looking to participate, the Kid’s Bike Parade is set to include all (accompanied by a parent) with their decorated bikes, strollers, scooters, and wagons as the perfect end to the parade.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on May 17, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
