Memorial Day is an annual holiday honoring those who have died and given the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. There are many observances planned in the Milwaukee area to mark the occasion, including ceremonies, events, a charity walk for Operation Finally Home and parades.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, but some events take place before the holiday.
This is not a comprehensive list.
Check with your local veterans organization for more information on other local events. These events are free unless otherwise noted.
If there is an observance or event you would like included in this list, let us know.
Milwaukee County
Milwaukee: Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery
Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery begins with a memorial service at the Ferry & Clas chapel by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony. There will be stories and a free tour. Food will be available for an $8 donation. People can picnic on the grounds.
When: 11 to 11:30 a.m. (memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony); 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (visit with notable Milwaukeeans at their graves); cemetery guided tour with historian, educator and author Paul Haubrick from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25.
Where: Forest Home Cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave.
Cost: Free, but preregistration is recommended
For more information, a detailed schedule and to register: Visit foresthomecemetery.com/visit/public-tours
Milwaukee: Remembrance at Wood National Cemetery
The public is invited to a Memorial Day ceremony at Wood National Cemetery to honor the fallen veterans, their families, prisoners of war or those missing in action who never came home. Limited seating is available at the outdoor event.
When: 9 a.m. pre-ceremony concert with the Milwaukee American Legion Band; and 9:25 a.m. program on Monday, May 25.
Where: Wood National Cemetery, flagpole / memorial area, 5000 W. National Ave. (Milwaukee VA campus)
For more information: Call the cemetery office at 414-382-5300 or email woodnationalcemetery@va.gov.
Milwaukee: Gift of Flags
To remember the fallen men and women who served, 27,316 flags will be placed: one for every Wisconsin hero killed in action from the Civil War to today.
When: 11 a.m. Friday, May 22 (Field of Flags Remembrance Ceremony)
Where: Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee
For more information: Visit warmemorialcenter.org.
Milwaukee: Memorial Day Tribute Event at Calvary Cemetery
To remember those who died, an outdoor Roman Catholic Mass will be held, followed immediately by a Civil War event. The 1st Brigade Band will perform at various parts of the event, playing on vintage Civil War instruments. Speakers include Auxiliary Bishop James T. Schuerman, leading the mass, and Lt. Col. Maria Garcia of the Wisconsin Army National Guard as the keynote speaker.
Where: Calvary Cemetery, 5503 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee. The rain site will be at St. Vincent Pallotti Church, across the street from Calvary, 5478 W. Bluemound Road.For more information: Call 414-712-4655 or email lt.col.sm@gmail.com
Wauwatosa: Memorial Day Ceremony
Wauwatosa’s Memorial Day ceremony includes remarks from local leaders and moments of remembrance.
When: 9 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: Muellner Building in Hart Park, 7300 W. Chestnut St.
For more information: Contact Michael Anich at 414-736-6517 or michaelanich@hotmail.com
West Allis: Memorial Day Observation Ceremony
West Allis’ Memorial Day Observation Ceremony includes a presentation of colors (West Allis Police Department Honor Guard); the Star-Spangled Banner (West Allis Central High School Chamber Choir with Choir Director Angel Cortez); City’s tribute (Mayor Dan Devine and Caden Schafer-Rose, a West Allis Central High School student); a Veterans’ Tribute (David Wischer, American Legion State Commander from 2019-2021); post salute to departed comrades (post commanders, SAL commanders and auxiliary presidents); a prayer by chaplain Larry Elliot (Retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant); a flag ceremony (Scout Troop 595); rifle salute (VFW Krejci-Braun-Meier Post 7485); Taps performance (Philip LaPisa, West Allis Police Department retiree); God Bless America (West Allis Central High School Chamber Choir)
When: 11 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 6900 W. National Ave., West Allis
For more information: westalliswi.gov/events
Whitefish Bay: Memorial Day Ceremony
In Whitefish Bay, the public will gather to honor the history of men and women who served and fought for the country.
When: 11 a.m., Monday, May 25th
Where: At the original site of the Whitefish Bay National Guard Armory, Armory Park at the southwest corner of Henry Clay Street and Ardmore Avenue.
For more information: Visit wfbcivicfoundation.org/communityevents
Ozaukee County
Cedarburg: Memorial Day Parade
The Cedarburg American Legion will hold its annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony.
When: The parade begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, followed by the ceremony.
Where: The parade begins in Cedarburg on the corner of Bridge Road and Washington Avenue. It ends at the Peter Wollner Post 288, W57 N481 Hilbert Ave. The ceremony after the parade is at the Peter Rollner Post 288.
For more information: Visit business.cedarburg.org/events/details/memorial-day-parade-36084
Mequon: Special presentation and flag-folding ceremony
Mequon will host a special observance and honor Lt. Howard J. Schroeder, an aviator during World War II and the Mequon Post’s namesake. The U.S. Marines will conduct a flag-folding ceremony followed by taps. This will be followed by a free lunch.
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: The special observance is at Mequon’s City Hall, 11333 N. Cedarburg Road. People can then afterward go to the American Legion Post #457, 6050 W. Mequon Road, to honor Lt. J. Schroeder and to participate in the flag-folding ceremony.
For more information: Visit cityofmequonwi.gov/community/page/memorial-day-observance-2026
Saukville: Memorial Day Parade
Saukville will hold a Memorial Day Parade, followed by a ceremony.
When: 9 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: The parade begins at the intersection of South Main Street and Rebel Road and ends at Veterans Park, 639 E. Green Bay Ave.
For more information: Visit villageofsaukvillewi.gov or contact American Legion Post 470 at 262-284-2787.
Washington County
West Bend
West Bend will host a Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Katy Schmitt, who was a captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, will be the featured speaker.
When: The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 25, and the ceremony will begin after the parade.
Where: The parade route begins in front of Badger Middle School, heads north on Main Street, turns left onto Walnut Street, left onto 6th Avenue to Chestnut Street and ends at the Tower Heritage Center, 320 S. 5th Ave.
For more information: Call 262-335-5100.
Waukesha County
Brookfield
In Brookfield, there will be a ceremony honoring those who served and sacrificed. This event will feature a military memorabilia display, ceremonial tributes honoring veterans, and live performances by the Knight Wind Ensemble and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. Carriage rides will be offered through the cemetery grounds and food trucks will be available.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25. The events begins with the playing of taps at 9 a.m.; the Memorial Day ceremony begins at 10 a.m.; the Knight Wind Ensemble plays at noon and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert plays at 2 p.m. Food trucks are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and carriage rides are from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Taps is played at the Field of Honor; the Lake Country Brass Quintet is at Fountain Quad, and the food trucks are at the Family Center Parking Lot. The Knight Wind Ensemble and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band are at the Great Memorial Building. The military memorabilia display is at the Great Memorial Lounge.
For more information: dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/wisconsin/brookfield/wisconsin-memorial-park-inc/9704
Elm Grove: Memorial Day parade
Elm Grove will have its annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 25.
When: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: The parade route begins at Elm Grove Village Park and ends at Elm Grove Road and Wall Street.
For more information: Email memorialday@elmgrovejuniorguild.org or visit elmgrovejuniorguild.org/Memorial-day-parade
Menomonee Falls: Memorial Fest
Falls Memorial Fest on May 23 will include marketplace vendors, live music on three stages, food and beverages, a lucky ducky derby, a beer and wine garden, a car show, a kid’s zone, an art stage, a tribute to veterans at the WWII Monument and a 5K run/walk for Operation Finally Home.
When: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 23.
The 5K for Operation Finally Home begins at 8 a.m. The car show is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a tribute to veterans at the WWII Monument is from 10 to 11 a.m., the vendor marketplace is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., live music is from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Knights of Columbus Lucky Ducky Derby begins with a duck drop at 3 p.m. and the rest of the festivities are spread throughout the day. The event ends at 11 p.m.
Where: Downtown Menomonee Falls, including Village Park, N87 W16749 Garfield Drive, Main Street and Mill Pond Park, N88 W16460 Main St.
Cost: Free admission
For a schedule and more information: Visit menomoneefallsdowntown.com/falls-memorial-fest
Menomonee Falls: Veterans Concert
The Britins, a Beatles tribute band, will perform at Memorial Fest on the 24th.
When: 3 to 6 p.m. with food and drinks beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 24
Where: Milwaukee Tool Amphitheater in Village Park, N87 W16749 Garfield Drive.
For more information about any of the Memorial Day events, contact menomoneefallsevents@gmail.com or visit menomoneefallsevents.org.
Memorial Day Parade: Menomonee Falls
When: 10 a.m. Monday, May 25
Where: The parade begins on Main Street at Harrison Avenue, travels to downtown Menomonee Falls and continues west on Main Street, turning north on Grand Avenue, east on Roosevelt, north on Water and ends at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse at W164 N9161 Water St.
For more information: Visit fallsparades.org/memorial-day
Operation Home 5K Run/Walk
This event is a fundraiser for Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that provides homes and home modifications to wounded, ill or injured veterans, first responders and their families. Operation Finally Home gifts veteran families with homes, according to its website.
When: 8 a.m. Saturday, May 23: packet pickup and race-day registration.
Where: The race begins in Mill Pond Park, N88 W16460 Main St., adjacent to the pavilion, just north of the downtown waterfall.
For registration, costs and detailed information: Visit menomoneefallsevents.org/fallsmemorialfest
For more information about any of the Memorial Day events, contact menomoneefallsevents@gmail.com or visit menomoneefallsevents.org.
Oconomowoc: Memorial Day remembrance
Oconomowoc’s traditional Memorial Day remembrance begins at the City Beach Band Shell with a concert by the Oconomowoc Legion Band, followed by a processional through downtown.
When: 10 to noon. Monday, May 25
Where: The event begins at the City Beach Band Shell. The processional goes east on Wisconsin Avenue through downtown, turns north onto Walnut, and concludes at the bridge.
For more information: visitoconomowoc.com/calendar
Pewaukee: Cemetery walk, parade and car show
Pewaukee will have a cemetery walk (a self-guided tour through Forest Hill Cemetery & St. Mary’s Cemetery to celebrate the fallen heroes and village’s founding figures), a parade and a car show with food and drink for purchase.
When: Saturday, May 23: self-guided cemetery walk; 10 a.m. Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Parade; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 25: Memorial Day Car Show
Where: Forest Hill Cemetery (Prospect Avenue on School Street, directly across from the Pewaukee Schools at 300 School St.) & St. Mary’s Cemetery (447 Evergreen Lane) for the cemetery walk.
The Memorial Day Parade will begin at Forest Hill Cemetery, go through the village downtown and end at the Bell Tower Memorial in Kiwanis Village Park (325 Capitol Drive). The Memorial Day car show is at Village Park.
For more information: Visit facebook.com/villageofpewaukee/events
Sussex: Memorial Day remembrance event and parade
Sussex will have a parade to honor Memorial Day. There will be a program and free lunch afterward.
When: Parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. The ceremony and free lunch will be after the parade.
Where: The parade begins at Hahn Ace Hardware, N64 W24330 Main St., and ends at the Horne-Mudlitz VFW Post #6377, W232 N6342 Waukesha Ave. There will be free lunch and a ceremony at the VFW Post.
For more information: Contact Diane at 414-840-9174.
Waukesha: Memorial Day march and remembrance ceremonies
Instead of a Memorial Day parade, which Waukesha last had four years ago, there will be a march to remember those who lost their lives and two ceremonies.
Avenue of Flags from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At Prairie Home Cemetery (605 S. Prairie Ave.), flags will be placed along the main road through the cemetery to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Flags will be flying from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the cemetery grounds are open to visitors.
Riverside Ceremony at 9 a.m.
At 9 a.m. May 25, Waukesha will hold its Riverside Ceremony at the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building (at the dam at 141 NW Barstow St.). Participants can honor and memorialize the nation’s veterans by casting flowers into the Fox River.
March at 10 a.m.
At 10 a.m., participants will walk or march to the Lee Sherman Dreyfus State Office Building to the Waukesha Public Library parking lot (321 Wisconsin Ave.). For the march, the first units will be the police and fire vehicles, followed by bagpipers, and community members will march with photos in memory of veteran loved ones. The participants include VFW Post 721 flag bearers and members; Scouts to carry banners for units; Waukesha Vietnam Veterans flag bearers and members; area military posts and military vehicles; area businesses and institutions; and the last unit, the mobile veteran clinical van. Spectators are encouraged to follow the van to Cutler Park (at the library).
Memorial Day Community Service/Ceremony at 11 a.m.
At 11 a.m. at the Cutler Park Bandshell in front of the Waukesha Public Library, Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly and other dignitaries are scheduled to speak.
For more information, visit waukesha-wi.gov/residents/memorial-day.php.
Fleet Farm: ‘Taps Across America’
At every Fleet Farm store, a live bugler will be joined by a local color guard to sound taps, while pausing to pay respect for those who died while serving our country.
Where: Germantown (N96 County Line Road); Muskego (W195 S6460 Racine Ave.); Oconomowoc (1555 Town Centre Way) and West Bend (3815 W. Washington St.).
When: 2:50 p.m. Monday, May 25. The live bugler with the color guard begins at 3 p.m., but to see the full proceedings, arrive at 2:50 p.m.
For more information: Visit fleetfarm.com/c/events/taps-across-america
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: See Milwaukee area Memorial Day tributes, parades and events for 2026
Reporting by Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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