Memorial Day is right around the corner, so be sure to take an hour or two from your long weekend to observe the national holiday’s intent: Honoring those who died in service to our country.
Parades, ceremonies and other events are planned across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
If you’re still looking for places to celebrate Memorial Day, here are some events to check out.
Anderson Township
Anderson Township hosts its annual Memorial Day Bell Ceremony at noon Monday, May 25, at Anderson Center’s Veterans Memorial.
A reading of deceased veterans’ names is planned. If you wish to have your loved one’s name read during the ceremony, sign in by 11:45 a.m.
Blue Ash
The Blue Ash Memorial Day Parade will start at 10:15 a.m. May 25 from Reed Hartman Highway and Cooper Road. It travels east along Cooper to Monroe and ends at Towne Square.
The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Marine Corps, David Foster. The University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University and Xavier grad served as a military police officer throughout his career.
The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Memorial concert is at 7 p.m. at the Tom Stone Amphitheater.
Cheviot
Cheviot’s annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. May 25.
Last year, a new parade route was implemented. The parade left from Bridgetown Cemetery, 4418 Bridgetown Road, and ended at Pioneer Cemetery at 3715 Harrison Ave.
Colerain Township
The annual Colerain Memorial Day Ceremony will start at 10 a.m. May 25 at the Colerain Veterans Memorial at the corner of Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road.
Delhi Township
The Delhi Township Veterans’ Association hosts an annual Memorial Day ceremony at 1 p.m. May 24 at Veterans Memorial Park, 934 Neeb Road. In case of rain, check the veterans’ association Facebook page. Patriotic songs, color guards, a bagpiper, grilled food and drinks will be featured.
Parking is limited. Handicapped parking spaces will be available at the park. A free shuttle bus will be provided at the Delhi Senior Community Center at 697 Neeb Road.
Email dtveterans@gmail.com or phone 513-471-8951 with any questions.
Fairfield
Fairfield’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will start at Express Scripts at 10 a.m. May 25.
It will feature veterans groups, military units, the Fairfield High School Marching Band, community groups and organizations, the Fairfield Police Department, and Fairfield Fire and Paramedic units.
The parade begins at Express Scripts, 4865 Winton Road, and proceeds down Hicks Boulevard. It will then take a right on Nilles Road, left on Bibury Road, and right on Wessel Drive before ending at Veterans Memorial Park, 701 Wessel Drive.
A brief program follows at the park with comments from the City of Fairfield Mayor and representatives from veterans groups. Patriotic music begins at the park at 10 a.m.
Glendale
The Village of Glendale’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. May 25 at Glendale Elementary on Congress Avenue. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Veterans’ Memorial on East Sharon Road, opposite Town Hall.
The parade will head south along Congress Avenue to E. Fountain Avenue, follow East Fountain Avenue to Woodbine Avenue, proceed down Elk Avenue and travel north along Greenville Avenue before turning onto Willow at the Square to proceed West on Sharon Avenue to the Veterans Memorial.
Green Township
Green Township officials and VFW Post 10380 will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony for the Green Township community beginning at 2 p.m. May 25 at Green Township Veterans Park, 6231 Harrison Ave.
This ceremony follows the Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the city of Cheviot and VFW Post 10380.
Hamilton
Hamilton hosts the Butler County Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony May 25, beginning with the laying of the wreath ceremony at 9:15 a.m. at the Soldiers, Sailors & Pioneers Monument at 1 S. Monument Ave. The parade starts at 10 a.m.
Hamilton native and retired U.S. Army Lt. General Rick Lynch will serve as the grand marshal and keynote speaker.
The Memorial Day Ceremony and Program begins at 11:15 a.m. in the G.A.R. Section of Greenwood Cemetery.
Loveland
Loveland’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Loveland Elementary School, 600 Loveland-Madeira Road and travels Loveland-Madeira Road to West Loveland Avenue, ending at Veterans Memorial, where a ceremony takes place.
Immediately following the parade, a ceremony will be held at the Loveland Veterans Memorial, located at the intersection of West Loveland Avenue and Riverside Drive. The guest speaker is Chris Cravens, who served eight years as an infantry Marine and later worked as a federal investigator with NCIS.
American Legion Post 256 sponsors a community picnic beginning at 2 p.m. at 897 Oakland Road, Loveland. Visit lovinlifeloveland.com for information.
Montgomery
The annual Gate of Heaven Cemetery Memorial Day Field Mass will be celebrated with a veteran speech and wreath laying on May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at 11000 Montgomery Road
U.S. Army Veteran Alison Estes will kick the ceremony off by saying a few words honoring the deceased military, followed by the wreath-laying ceremony. Archbishop Robert G. Casey will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. There will be light refreshments after Mass for all. Please bring folding chairs.
In the event of rain, Mass will be moved indoors to Good Shepherd Church, 8815 East Kemper Road. The cemetery grounds will be open throughout the day.
Mount Healthy
Mount Healthy’s Wesley Warner Memorial American Legion Post 513 starts its annual Memorial Day Parade at 2 p.m. May 25 at Perry Street and Hastings (Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar). The parade will end at Veterans Memorial in the Mt. Healthy Park.
For more information, call the legion at 513-729-0061.
Springfield Township
This is the 11th Annual Field of Memories display in honor of Memorial Day.
Arlington Memorial Gardens displays 1,000 American flags, each one a symbol of honor and remembrance for those who gave their lives in service, as well as veterans, first responders and personal heroes
The Field of Memories is open daily for visitation May 22-25, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Arlington has planned a weekend of reflection and community. Visit the website for a full schedule of events.
West Chester Township
The annual West Chester Memorial Day Parade makes its way through the historic Olde West Chester business district to the cemetery on West Chester Road beginning at 10 a.m. May 25 for a special remembrance ceremony.
Memorial Day ceremonies in West Chester are planned each year by local veterans groups VFW Post 7696 and American Legion Post 681.
Memorial Day 2025 events in Kentucky
Bellevue-Dayton
The 97th Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. May 25 at the Veterans Monument on Sixth Avenue in Dayton. The parade will end at the Bellevue Veterans Club.
Edgewood
The Edgewood Memorial Day Ceremony will be 10 a.m. to noon May 25 at 550 Freedom Park Drive.
Boy Scout Troop 779 will be collecting tattered and worn flags from 9-9:45 a.m. to be properly disposed of.
Florence
The City of Florence Memorial Day Parade takes place at 10 a.m. May 25 from Boone County High School, 7056 Burlington Pike, Florence.
The parade will begin at the school and end at the Florence Government Center. A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Boone County Veterans Memorial following the parade at 11:30 a.m. The ceremony will feature patriotic music performed by the Florence Community Band and Chorus and special tributes honoring the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Fort Wright
Fort Wright’s Memorial Day Service starts at 10 a.m. May 25 at the Fort Wright City Building, 409 Kyles Lane.
The program includes wreath laying, prayer, music and a flag ceremony.
Independence
Independence’s American Legion, Moon Brothers Post 275, established in 1947, will host the 2026 Memorial Day Parade. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m.
The parade begins at Delaware Crossing and Madison Pike and will end at the Kenton County Courthouse.
Park Hills
The Park Hills Memorial Day Parade and flag raising ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. May 25, rain or shine.
The parade will begin at Notre Dame Academy and travel down Dixie Highway to Arlington, to Old State Road, then to Terrace Drive, Amsterdam Road, and end at Park Drive.
Watch the parade and ceremonies, then visit the Memorial Day food court from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The food court will be along the west side of Park Drive, and tents will be located along the east side. Rose Circle will be used for local through traffic during road closures.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Memorial Day 2026 parades, ceremonies, concerts in Greater Cincinnati, NKY
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
