Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Arizona, but more importantly, it’s a time to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. military. Across the Grand Canyon State, communities large and small gather for solemn ceremonies, parades, and other commemorative events to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.
From Phoenix’s formal ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery to Yuma’s flag-raising events, Arizona offers numerous ways to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day. Many communities also host family-friendly activities that celebrate the freedoms these brave men and women fought to protect.
This comprehensive guide highlights Memorial Day 2025 events throughout Arizona’s top cities, helping you find meaningful ways to commemorate this important holiday.
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- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Gilbert
- Glendale
- Scottsdale
- Peoria
- Tempe
- Surprise
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
- San Tan Valley
- Yuma
- Avondale
Phoenix
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
- Description: Memorial Day ceremony honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
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Heard Museum Memorial Day Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Gates open at 9:30 AM)
- Location: Heard Museum Campus, 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ
- Cost: Free For Veterans, All others must purchase tickets
- Description: A day of art, music, and remembrance honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
- Event Website
Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:39 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 719 N 27th Ave, Phoenix
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 10:20 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:45 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 4310 East Southern Ave, Phoenix
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Tucson
Note: Specific Memorial Day 2025 events for Tucson will be announced closer to the date. Based on past years, residents can expect ceremonies at local cemeteries and veterans memorials. Check the city’s official website for updates.
Mesa
Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 10:02 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 400 South Power Road, Mesa
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery Memorial Day Event
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Mountain View Cemetery, Mesa, AZ
- Description: An honorable Memorial Day event at the picturesque Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa.
City of Mesa Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: City of Mesa Cemetery
- Description: Annual remembrance program organized by rotating veterans organizations.
- Event Website
Arizona Memorial Day Classic Chess Tournament
- Date: Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Mesa DoubleTree by Hilton, 1011 West Holmes Ave, Mesa
- Description: 3rd Annual Arizona Memorial Day Classic chess tournament presented by Rising Star Chess.
- Event Website
Chandler
Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:53 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 10940 East Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Gilbert
Gilbert Memorial Day Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Location: Gilbert Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert
- Description: Memorial Day ceremony hosted by HD SOUTH, the Town of Gilbert, the Veterans Advisory Board, and the American Legion Post 39. The event will include a flag and wreath ceremony, the battlefield cross, the POW/MIA table, and remarks from local Gilbert dignitaries, including Mayor Scott Anderson.
- Event Website
Glendale
West Resthaven Funeral Home & Resthaven Park Cemetery Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:34 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 6450 West Northern Ave, Glendale
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Scottsdale
Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery Service
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 10:10 AM (Flyover time)
- Location: 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale
- Description: Memorial service featuring a Missing Man formation flyover by Falcon Warbirds.
Memorial Day at Mountain Shadows
- Date: Friday, May 23 – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Mountain Shadows Resort, Scottsdale
- Description: Memorial Day weekend celebration at Mountain Shadows Resort.
- Event Website
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort Memorial Day Weekend
- Date: Friday, May 23 – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
- Description: Celebrate all weekend long with family activities happening all day. Kick off the fun with live music Friday night.
- Event Website
Peoria
Sunset Yoga on the Lawn – Memorial Day Weekend
- Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale (event for Peoria residents)
- Description: Yoga session on the lawn to kick off Memorial Day weekend.
- Event Website
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
- Date: Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Peoria, AZ
- Description: Memorial Day weekend events in Peoria. Specific details for 2025 to be announced closer to the date.
Note: The City of Peoria typically holds Memorial Day events, but specific details for 2025 have not yet been published. Based on past events, residents can expect a ceremony honoring fallen service members. Check the City of Peoria website closer to the date for updated information.
Tempe
Memorial Day Weekend – Red White & Blue Party
- Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Time: 9:30 PM
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Description: Arizona’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend Party. Early arrival suggested. $15 Pre-Sale. $50 VIP Tables with 2 Drinks & Bottle Service Available.
- Event Website
2025 BHL Cup Memorial Day Weekend
- Date: Memorial Day Weekend 2025
- Location: Mullett Arena, Tempe
- Description: Memorial Day weekend sporting event.
- Event Website
Memorial Day Holiday Activities
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Various locations in Tempe
- Description: Memorial Day holiday activities throughout Tempe. The city typically offers pool openings and recreational activities for the holiday weekend.
Note: Tempe typically celebrates Memorial Day with various recreational activities. Check the City of Tempe website closer to the date for specific 2025 Memorial Day ceremonies or events.
Surprise
The Grand’s Memorial Day Salute and Celebration
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM MST
- Location: The Grand, Surprise, Arizona
- Description: Memorial Day celebration at The Grand community in Surprise.
- Facebook Event Page
Memorial Day Ceremony at Surprise Lake
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Location: Army Air Corp Memorial, west side of Surprise Lake, Surprise
- Description: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 96 and Marine Corps League WTMD at the Army Air Corp Memorial.
Note: The City of Surprise typically holds Memorial Day events. Based on past events, residents can expect a ceremony or parade honoring fallen service members. Check the City of Surprise website closer to the date for updated information about specific 2025 Memorial Day events.
Goodyear
BackyardBoogiePhx Pre-Memorial Day Kickback
- Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025
- Time: 10:00 PM
- Location: Backyardboogiephx, Goodyear, AZ
- Description: Pre-Memorial Day social gathering event.
- Event Website
Note: The City of Goodyear typically holds Memorial Day events. Based on past events and neighboring cities’ activities, residents can expect a ceremony honoring fallen service members. Check the City of Goodyear website closer to the date for updated information about specific 2025 Memorial Day events and ceremonies.
Buckeye
Memorial Day Ceremony at Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM
- Location: Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery, 23100 W. Broadway Road, Buckeye
- Description: Annual Memorial Day ceremony saluting all veterans who have served our country. The City of Buckeye holds this ceremony each year to honor fallen service members.
San Tan Valley
Memorial Day Ceremony at San Tan Memorial Gardens
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Location: San Tan Memorial Gardens at Schnepf Farms, 22425 E Cloud Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
- Description: A brief program with speakers from the Queen Creek Town Hall and other local officials honoring fallen service members.
Memorial Ceremony Honoring Pinal County’s Fallen Heroes
- Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: San Tan Valley
- Description: Ceremony honoring Pinal County’s fallen heroes.
Yuma
Memorial Day Celebration at Quechan Big House
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM (First Call at 7:55 AM)
- Location: Quechan Big House, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe
- Description: Memorial Day celebration honoring fallen service members.
5th Annual Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Location: Yuma, AZ
- Description: Annual ceremony to honor the men and women who gave their lives for our country.
Memorial Day Event at Fortuna Mini Mall
- Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Location: Fortuna Mini Mall, Yuma, AZ
- Description: Pre-Memorial Day event at the Fortuna Mini Mall.
- More info via AARP
Avondale
Avondale Memorial Day Ceremony
- Date: Monday, May 26, 2025
- Time: 8:30 AM
- Location: Avondale Civic Center Amphitheater, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale
- Description: The ceremony will feature a musical tribute and a moving flag ceremony. The event is being held in partnership with several organizations, including the American Legion’s Crandall Palmer Post 61, VFW Pat Tillman Memorial Post 40, and the Blue Star Moms. The event is free; attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket to sit on at the outdoor amphitheater.
Tips for Attending Memorial Day Events
What to Bring
- Sun Protection: Arizona can be hot in late May, so bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
- Water: Stay hydrated, especially for outdoor ceremonies.
- Seating: Many events suggest bringing folding chairs or blankets.
- American Flag: Consider bringing a small American flag to show your respect.
Proper Etiquette
- National Moment of Remembrance: At 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, Americans are asked to pause for a minute of silence to remember the fallen.
- Flag Etiquette: The U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff until sunset.
- Dress Appropriately: For formal ceremonies, consider wearing respectful attire.
- Silence During Ceremonies: Please silence phones and refrain from talking during moments of silence, taps, or the national anthem.
The History of Memorial Day in Arizona
Arizona has a rich military history dating back to before statehood. The tradition of honoring fallen service members has been particularly significant in a state that’s home to numerous military installations, including Luke Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Each year, Arizonans gather at memorials across the state to remember those who gave their lives in service to our nation. These observances reflect Arizona’s deep respect for military service and sacrifice.
Planning Your Memorial Day Weekend
While honoring the solemn purpose of Memorial Day is paramount, many Arizonans also use the long weekend to gather with family and friends. Popular activities include:
- Visiting Veterans Memorials: Pay your respects at monuments throughout the state.
- Outdoor Recreation: Explore Arizona’s national parks and natural wonders.
- Backyard Barbecues: Host a gathering with loved ones to celebrate the start of summer.
- Road Trips: Take a short road trip to explore Arizona’s diverse landscapes.
Celebrating Memorial Day in Oklahoma or Missouri? We’ve got you covered.
Whatever your plans, take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices made by so many to preserve our freedoms.
We’ll see you out there,
Note: Event details are subject to change. Please check with event organizers or official city websites closer to the date for the most current information.
