Things To Do in Southern California Memorial Day Weekend 2023

Celebrate Memorial Day with your family while honoring our heroes. Explore Kidsguide’s list of family-friendly events and places that pay tribute to the brave.

2023 Memorial Day Events

Field of Honor
Mission San Juan Capistrano
May 23-29, 2023

Mission San Juan Capistrano transforms into an awe-inspiring Field of Honor with more than 400 American flags, each standing seven-feet tall in solemn formation, waving proudly in honor of military, veterans, first responders, including K-9 and equestrian heroes. Display is included with regular admission. Active duty, veterans, and first responders are free.

LA Fleet Week
Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro
May 26-29, 2023

LA Fleet Week is an annual, multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services held on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles over the extended Memorial Day Weekend. Events include active duty ship tours, military displays and equipment demonstrations, live entertainment, aircraft flyovers, STEM Expo, culinary cook-off competitions, and concerts.

Honoring Our Heroes: A Sunset Ceremony
Shoreline Aquatic Park, Long Beach
Long Beach Navy Memorial
May 28, 2023

The Office of Veterans Support, which is part of the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department), will host a free, family-friendly community event to commemorate Memorial Day with patriotic music, flyovers with historic aircraft, information fair, guest speakers, flag ceremony, and playing of Taps.

Memorial Day Remembrance & Celebration
Fairhaven Memorial, Santa Ana
May 29, 2023

Join Fairhaven Park & Mortuary for their annual Memorial Day Ceremony featuring military speakers, live music, flyover, Honor Guard detail, dove release, antique cars on display, and more.

Memorial Day Remembrance Event
Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley
May 29, 2023

Join the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to honor the fallen men and women who served in the United State Military. The program includes live musical entertainment, a flyover by the Tiger Squadron, Royal High School AFJROTC Color Guard, and more. All Memorial Day programming is free to attend. Admission rates apply to view the museum, Air Force One Pavilion, and special exhibits.

Memorial Day Air Fair & Flower Drop
Palm Springs Air Museum
May 29, 2023

Join the Palm Springs Air Museum to honor the fallen with a fly-by and flower drop of over 3,000 red and white carnations from a B-25 Mitchell bomber. Plus, enjoy flight exhibitions, warbird rides, kids’ activities, jazz band, food vendors, and more. Visitors are welcome to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions and activities scheduled all day long, Memorial Ceremony and Flower Drop scheduled for 1pm.

Legacy Week
USS Midway Museum, San Diego
May 26-29, 2023

The USS Midway Museum’s “Legacy Week” is the heart and soul of Memorial Day commemoration in San Diego. This year, they are offering iconic activities onboard! From a Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony to an interactive Remembrance Wall – each element of Midway’s Legacy Week commemoration is designed to honor and remember our heroes and celebrate our military heritage.

Military-Themed Places to Visit

American Military History Museum, South El Monte
An outdoor museum dedicated to preserving our nation’s military history. See over 170 military vehicles and military equipment on display.

Drum Barracks Civil War Museum, Wilmington
The Drum Barracks served as the main staging, training, and supply base for the Union Army and military operation in the Southwest. Visitors can tour the courtyard, parlor, armory, barracks room and more.

Battleship USS IOWA, San Pedro
This battleship served our country proudly in WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. General access pass offers exhibits on the Battleship of Presidents, Gunnery Hazards, HUP-2 Helicopter, and more.

S.S. Lane Victory, San Pedro
Self-guided tours are offered on the museum ship that was once used in World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War.

Lincoln Memorial Shrine & Civil War Museum, Redlands
Learn about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln and learn the stories told through letters and objects from the Civil War.

Nixon Presidential Library, Yorba Linda
Step aboard Army One, the presidential helicopter used by Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. See artifacts from The Vietnam War and their newest exhibit honoring prisoners of war.

Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley
Walk and explore the actual Air Force One that flew seven presidents, see a full-size replica of President Reagan’s Oval Office, the Berlin Wall, and the F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter and F-14 Tomcat, Marine One Helicopter, M-1 Abrams Tank, and more.

USS Midway Museum, San Diego
Navy aircraft carrier featuring more than 30 restored aircraft and nearly 10 acres of exhibits. Climb aboard real cockpits, tour the bridge and captain’s cabins, walk through spaces where the crew lived, and explore the hangar and flight deck.

Air Museums with Military Aircraft

Flight Path Museum, Los Angeles

The Proud Bird, Los Angeles

Western Museum of Flight, Torrance

March Field Air Museum, Riverside

Museum of Flying, Santa Monica

Lyon Air Museum, Santa Ana

Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino

Yanks Air Museum, Chino

Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale

Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, Palmdale

San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego