Memorial Day in Boston

10 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day in Boston

On Memorial Day, pay respect to the brave individuals who fight for our country and maintain patriotism and pride. Boston is rallying its tried-and-true traditions for this pristine May weekend, from parades and parties to quiet garden walkabouts and exhibits. Staple restaurants and other attractions will be open on Memorial Day, making planning easy.

Most will have the workday free, so they can get out and discover the best things to do in Boston for Memorial Day weekend 2024.

Gamble for Red, White & Blue Bonuses

$75,000 Red, White and Blue Bonuses

Encore Boston Harbor offers Memorial Day specials. Earn entries into the drawing based on your play all month. Come on May 27 from 12:30–4 p.m. for the chance to win $500 in free play for 25 winners every half hour and between $1,500 and $10,000 in cash for five winners at a 5 p.m. announcement.

Stop by Fratelli Rush Hour

Encore Boston Harbor Fratelli Main Dining

Take your time and have a great meal during Memorial Day weekend. On Monday from 4–6 p.m., settle in to enjoy a four-course meal of any appetizer, pasta from the master menu, one of four appetizers, and homemade tiramisu. While apps and pasta vary, the mains offered include Alaskan king salmon with roasted fennel and white bean purée and 7-Spice Murray’s Brick Chicken with mashed potatoes.

Fratelli Rush Hour is offered Monday through Thursday from 4–6 p.m., and Fratelli is open late every night for regular dinner service.

Witness the Garden of the Flags

Garden of flags in Boston

Volunteers plant thousands of flags on the Boston Common lawn surrounding the Soldiers and Sailors memorial each year. This act commemorates fallen Massachusetts service members during the Revolutionary War, September 11, and other national periods of loss. This multi-day affair is a splendor at every step, from flag planting on May 22 to the name reading ceremony on May 23 and the constant volunteer guards over this beautiful display.

Enjoy this tribute in full splendor from Monday, May 23, to Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, when the flags are disassembled.

Jam Out at the Boston Calling Music Festival

Boston Calling Music Festival

Music buffs rejoice. Boston Calling is back at the Harvard Athletic Complex as part of the city’s signature annual three-day music extravaganza. Headliners like Ed Sheeran, Hozier, The Killers, and Leon Bridges are playing from May 24 to May 26 to bring in the holiday weekend with their world-renowned hits. Over a decade of music and magic means this festival is a well-anticipated spring staple. There are four stages to choose from, and dozens of local food vendors guarantee blissful afternoons spread across Memorial Day weekend.

Tickets are available online on the official Boston Calling website.

Attend the Massachusetts Memorial Gala

Honoring fallen heroes memorial day

Encore Boston Harbor is hosting the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Gala on Saturday, May 18, from 4–11 p.m. as part of the kickoff for Patriot Week. As the organization’s primary fundraiser, the gala honors many heroes, including veterans, civic leaders, and lost military members. Now in its 14th year, the gala also recognizes its Gold Star members, a collection of families whose loved ones were lost in wars and battles after 9/11.

Register online via sponsorship for the organization.

Catch a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park

Boston Red Sox game at night

Nothing welcomes spring like a perfect afternoon at the ballpark—especially home games on the local turf. The Boston Red Sox go against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday leading up to Memorial Day. Times vary, and tickets for these Fenway Park games are selling fast. Get there early. Sign up for an exclusive ballpark tour to stroll around the history and memorabilia that makes Fenway famous.

On Monday, May 27, the Red Sox will step onto the Maryland home field to take on the Baltimore Orioles at 1:05 p.m., so catch the game at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Walk the Freedom Trail

Boston Freedom Trail

Memorial Day is ideal for immersing in the city’s landmark staples. The Boston Freedom Trail hits every point of interest in the city proper on a two-hour stroll as part of the Boston By Foot Road to Revolution series. Start at the King’s Chapel and see the Paul Revere House, the site of the Boston Massacre, and other notable sites. History buffs can enjoy an array of walking trail choices, from the North End to the historic Beacon Hill, and see the birthplace of America’s most influential movements.

Tours are available daily. Register online for small tours, large specialty parties, and private events.

Take Some Long Weekend Museum Visits

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Carve out a break with some visual relaxation. Several museums in the greater Boston area will offer special hours on Memorial Day. The Museum of Fine Arts is hosting its Memorial Day Open House, where various exhibits and activities await, including a photo booth, free guided tours, and even a kimchi demo. Meanwhile, the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston is cracking its doors for a rare Monday opening so art lovers can walk about the museum’s current selections. Advanced bookings are required for an ICA Boston visit on Memorial Day.

During select daytime hours, both locations will offer free admission to visitors.

Check Out a Floating Museum

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Similarly, the “#1 patriotic attraction” is another point of interest for a day of cultural exploration in Boston.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum provides a unique perspective on history’s most infamous event. Actors dressed in traditional garb reenact key points and recite history through a multisensory experience that includes replicas of relics and actual artifacts, all from the vantage point of a centuries-old ship. Museum visitors can toss a tea bag or two into Boston Harbor.

Remember to stop by the tea house and gift shop to enjoy more pleasures of centuries past.

Score Memorial Day Specials at Copley Place

Copley Square Boston

Retail leisure is a prerequisite for any federal holiday, and Memorial Day sales are back at Copley Place. Dive into the designer goods and textiles world beyond the typical bargain hunting. Plus, with spring in full effect, this is the perfect time to stock up on warm-weather staples to flaunt in the months ahead.

Stores include Alexander McQueen, Dior, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, and many more. Copley Place hours are 11 a.m.–7 p.m. every Monday.